1. Correction to « Factors associated with suicidal ideation in junior high school students with autism spectrum disorder in Japan: A cross-sectional observational study ». PCN Rep. 2026; 5(1): e70317.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1002/pcn5.70272.].

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2. Boyle L, Perepa P, Thalia K, Crane L. Autism in Viet Nam: A systematic scoping review. Autism. 2026: 13623613261425838.

Autism research has predominantly focused on Western contexts, with limited studies in Vietnamese cultural settings. Through conducting a systematic scoping review, we aimed to map (a) the landscape of autism research in Vietnamese cultural contexts, (b) the quality of the research, and (c) the extent of autism community involvement in the research. A total of 137 studies met our inclusion criteria. A growing body of literature pertained to autism in Vietnamese cultural contexts, largely conducted in Viet Nam (87%). Much of the literature focused on Services and Supports (39%), as well as Interventions (20%). Key themes identified from the research were the centrality of family, the importance of school and education, and identifying a cause of autism. Quality appraisals of the studies – using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, a Westernised tool – indicated that the studies were largely of low quality. There was limited autism community involvement in the research, with studies often lacking an explicit description of the nature of community involvement. Priority areas for future research include better understanding how rigour is understood in a Vietnamese research context, improving the clarity of data reporting and actively involving the Vietnamese autism community in the research process.Lay abstractAutism research has mostly focused on Western contexts, with few studies in Vietnamese cultural contexts. In this study, we reviewed all the research we could find on autism in Vietnamese cultural contexts, to map out what this research ‘looks like’. We found 137 studies on autism in Vietnamese cultural contexts, and most of this research was conducted in Viet Nam. The studies were often focused in the areas of Services and Supports as well as Interventions. Looking for common themes in the research, we found that studies emphasised the importance of family, the importance of school and education, and the need to find the causes of autism. We used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, a Westernised tool, to evaluate the quality of the research, and we found that a lot of the research was rated as ‘low quality’. There were few examples of clear autism community involvement in the research. Key areas for the field to focus on in the future include reflecting on how the quality of the research is evaluated in Global South countries such as Viet Nam, and how best to include the autism community in the research process.

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3. Dana H, Kocum F, Yilmaz ON, Avci V, Demi̇rci̇ E, Sener EF. Developmental and sex-specific expression of alpha-synuclein in blood and hippocampus of Cc2d1a mice: Implications for autism spectrum disorders. J Psychiatr Res. 2026; 197: 177-86.

PURPOSE: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social interaction and the presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors. It involves alterations in brain structure and function due to a combination of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. The Cc2d1a gene is a recently identified candidate gene implicated in ASD. Alpha-synuclein (Snca), a presynaptic neuronal protein classically linked to neurodegeneration, has recently been proposed as a potential player in neurodevelopmental disorders. This study investigated the expression of the Snca gene and protein in a Cc2d1a mouse model of autism, focusing on sex-based and developmental stage differences. METHODS: Blood and hippocampal tissues were collected from male and female mice with heterozygous (+/-) and wild-type (+/+) genotypes at postnatal days 14, 30, and 60. Gene and protein expression levels of Snca were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and ELISA. Behavioral tests were used to assess locomotor activity and anxiety. RESULTS: Male mice displayed higher locomotor activity than females in the open field test across developmental stages. At postnatal day 60, Snca mRNA expression increased in heterozygous females but decreased in wild-type females, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in males. Similar genotype- and sex-dependent trends were detected in hippocampal tissue. At the protein level, α-synuclein expression was consistently lower in the female hippocampus compared to males, while blood α-synuclein levels did not differ significantly between sexes. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate developmental and sex-specific differences in Snca expression in an ASD mouse model. Alpha-synuclein may serve as a promising biomarker for further studies in ASD pathophysiology.

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4. Huang M, Ye H, Xu Y, Xie J, Wang X, Luo Y, Liu P, Ma X, Zhang S, Jiang B, Ye WC, Peng Y, Shi L. Correction of eIF4E overactivation rescues translatome imbalance and core ASD-like behaviors in valproic acid-induced offspring mice. Mol Psychiatry. 2026.

Perturbed protein synthesis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the altered translational pattern and underlying mechanism remain poorly understood. Here, we identified an exaggeration of global protein synthesis in the cerebral cortex of offspring mice following prenatal exposure of valproic acid (VPA), a well-established ASD model. Integrative analysis of polyribosome-based translatome and proteome data revealed remarkable upregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes in VPA-exposed cortex at both translational and protein levels, but not transcriptional levels. Further analysis pinpoints that overactivation of the translation initiation factor eIF4E causes the aberrant translatome and mitochondrial impairments in VPA-exposed cortex. Pharmacological inhibition of eIF4E phosphorylation during juvenile displayed persistent effectiveness in mitigating ASD-like social deficits and stereotyped behavior in VPA mice until adulthood. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that eIF4E overactivation leads to imbalanced protein synthesis that favors translation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes, causing core ASD-like behaviors.

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5. Iliffe-Lewis R, Bacon AM. ‘The true me’: Unravelling the dual narrative of borderline personality disorder and autistic spectrum disorder. Br J Clin Psychol. 2026.

OBJECTIVES: There is growing recognition that some individuals who receive a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) are later diagnosed with autism. However, existing literature on this topic remains limited. This study aimed to explore the experiences of individuals diagnosed with BPD prior to autism, how they made sense of these diagnoses, navigated clinical systems and learnt to manage the complex challenges associated with this diagnostic sequence. METHODS: Thirteen (6 male, 6 female, 1 non-binary) adult participants took part in semi-structured interviews exploring their diagnostic journeys. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop a nuanced understanding of their experiences. RESULTS: Three themes were constructed: (1) The Limitations and Challenges of Diagnostic Overshadowing, capturing how participants felt their BPD diagnosis failed to fully explain their difficulties, prompting them to seek further assessment; (2) Stereotyping and Misconceptions, exploring the impact of stigma and stereotyping, both internalized and encountered within clinical settings; and (3) Learning to Cope in a New World, describing how receiving an autism diagnosis enabled participants to reframe past experiences and develop new, often sensory-informed coping strategies. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the need for diagnostic processes that are open, curious and sensitive to overlapping presentations, and attentive to how historic stereotyping may shape clinical decision-making. They also highlight the importance of post-diagnostic support that empowers individuals to understand and adapt to their neurodivergence, fostering growth rather than perpetuating shame.

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6. Ismael HM, Ismail PA. Serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, NGF, and CNTF in children with autism spectrum disorder. J Neuroimmunol. 2026; 415: 578899.

The etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains incompletely understood but involves dysregulation across multiple biological systems, including pro-inflammatory cytokine networks and neurotrophic signaling pathways. This study measured serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), alongside neurotrophic factors nerve growth factor (NGF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), in children diagnosed with ASD compared to neurotypical controls. A secondary aim was to examine associations with ASD symptom severity. Participants included 60 children with ASD (86.7% male, mean age 9.4 ± 0.6 years) and 29 controls (79.3% male, mean age 8.0 ± 0.4 years), ASD severity was classified per DSM-5-TR criteria (Level I: n = 19; Levels II-III: n = 41). Serum analyses revealed elevated TNF-α (p = 0.048), NGF (p = 0.045), and CNTF (p = 0.032) in the ASD group compared to controls, with IFN-γ showing a non-significant increase (p = 0.279). However, biomarker levels showed no significant differences across ASD severity subgroups (Level I vs. Levels II-III vs. controls; all adjusted p > 0.14 following multiple testing correction). Spearman correlations demonstrated positive associations between all four biomarkers and ASD symptom severity scores (all p = 0.0001). In conclusion, the findings demonstrate altered serum profiles of selected inflammatory and neurotrophic markers in children with ASD and highlight strong interrelationships among these biomarkers. Although no significant associations with symptom severity were identified, the results support the involvement of dysregulated neuroimmune and neurotrophic signaling in ASD pathophysiology and warrant further investigation in larger, longitudinal studies.

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7. Jia XY, Moretti ME, Ungar WJ, Wittmeier K, Filliter JH, O’Donnell M, Khan F, Smith T, Zwicker J, Majnemer A. Parent coaching program for children with emerging developmental disabilities while on a waitlist for services: cost analysis from a family payer perspective. BMC Pediatr. 2026.

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8. Offutt K, Rice E. An exploration of the social and friendship experiences of adolescent girls with developmental disabilities: Perspectives of girls and their parents. J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2026: 1-11.

BACKGROUND: This study explored the social and friendship experiences of adolescent girls with developmental disabilities through the perspectives of girls and their parents. METHOD: An inductive approach based on Merriam and Tisdell’s qualitative design was used, together with components of grounded theory. Interviews were completed with 12 adolescent girls with developmental disabilities and their parents. RESULTS: Contrary to the persistent narrative of girls with developmental disabilities as disinterested in friendships, girls in this study showed a strong interest in social opportunities and friendships. Unfortunately, the social environments that the girls have been placed in were rarely affirming of their social profiles, and parents were often expected to compensate for this lack of support. Participants reported a variety of social challenges. CONCLUSION: Stronger social support including environments that are affirming of the unique profile of girls with developmental disabilities is warranted.

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9. Peng Y, Sun B, Wang H, Wei Z, Li H, Zhao S. Classification of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children Using EEG Power Ratios Obtained During a Naturalistic Mentalizing Task. Biol Psychiatry. 2026.

BACKGROUND: ASD diagnosis relies on behavioral observation, but a shortage of qualified experts leads to delayed diagnosis, with the average age of diagnosis being 4.8 years. This study aims to assess the ability of resting-state EEG power spectral features and EEG features during naturalistic theory of mind (ToM) tasks to distinguish children with ASD from typically developing (TD) children and to evaluate early screening potential. METHOD: A cross-sectional diagnostic study was conducted among 183 Chinese children aged 3-11 years (83 with physician-diagnosed ASD and 100 TD children). After quality control, the EEG data of 163 participants were analyzed. Participants wore EEG devices while they watched Disney’s « Partly Cloudy » as a naturalistic social task and completed the resting-state recordings. The primary outcome was XGBoost-based ASD classification performance using resting-state EEG power spectral features and EEG features, , evaluated by accuracy, AUC, sensitivity, and precision. RESULTS: A total of 163 participants (73 ASD, 90 TD) were analyzed. The groups differed significantly in sex (male proportion: 89.15% vs. 67.00%, P<.001) and IQ (92.85 vs. 112.43, P=.035). The mental-control power ratio model performed best, with an accuracy of 0.925 (95% CI, 0.909-0.940) and an AUC value of 0.980 (95% CI, 0.972-0.986). The performance of the resting-state models was poor (accuracies: 0.549 and 0.515). Cross-age prediction remained robust, with accuracies of ∼90-92% and AUCs >97%, showing only slightly reduced precision in the youngest group. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike resting-state EEG features, EEG power ratios during naturalistic ToM tasks distinguish ASD children from TD children with high accuracy.

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10. Piccolo A. Between two worlds: A radiation therapist, a mother, and the lessons of autism. J Med Imaging Radiat Sci. 2026; 57(3): 102208.

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11. Shawahna R. Burden and determinants of developmental disability in epilepsy: Insights from primary healthcare in Palestine. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2026; 265: 109364.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of developmental disability among people with epilepsy attending primary healthcare clinics in the West Bank of Palestine, and to identify demographic, clinical, and treatment‑related associated factors. METHODS: A retrospective cross‑sectional review was conducted of medical records for all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy who attended outpatient primary healthcare clinics in the West Bank between November 2023 and June 2024. Data on demographic characteristics, medical and family history, seizure type and manifestations, and current antiseizure medication use were extracted. RESULTS: A total of 256 patients with a mean age of 12.7 years (SD = 5.8) were included in the analysis, of whom 59 (23.0%) had a documented developmental disability. In the multivariable logistic regression model, younger age remained significantly associated with developmental disability (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.97, p = 0.003). In addition, a family history of epilepsy was also strongly associated with developmental disability (OR = 4.36, 95% CI: 1.52-12.55, p = 0.006). The presence of a postictal state emerged as a prominent clinical correlate (OR = 15.15, 95% CI: 3.33-68.89, p < 0.001). In terms of treatment patterns, polytherapy was significantly associated with developmental disability (OR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.04-8.35, p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: This first national‑level analysis in Palestine highlights a considerable burden of developmental disability among people with epilepsy in the primary care setting. The findings underscore the need for integrated care pathways that combine seizure management with systematic developmental screening, early intervention, and targeted risk‑reduction strategies.

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12. Wilkinson CL. Beyond Alpha Power: What Multiple Alpha Peaks Can Reveal About Autism Neurobiology. Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. 2026; 11(3): 261-2.

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13. Xue Z, Lan J, Zhao Y, Yu P, Liu L, Lu B, Yang F. A novel rat model harboring two BDNF gene mutations exhibiting autism-like behaviors and cognitive impairments. Neuropharmacology. 2026; 291: 110911.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs most frequently in early childhood, affecting approximately 1% of the global population. Currently, the elusive nature of the pathological mechanisms underlying ASD precludes the existence of a definitive, effective treatment approach. In this study, we have successfully generated a novel ASD rat model utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 technology, offering a promising platform for further investigation and potential therapeutic interventions. The model is characterized by two crucial point mutations occurring at key enzyme cleavage sites of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), thereby causing disruptions in enzyme cleavage processes. The phenotypes of this rat model faithfully recapitulate the salient deficits frequently encountered in ASD patients, exhibiting impairments in social behavior, cognition, and anxiety, along with neuronal abnormalities with key brain regions, notably the hippocampus (HPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Through preliminary RNA-seq analysis, we found changes in gene expression patterns related to synapses and neuronal excitability in these areas, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of ASD. Furthermore, our utilization of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), a robust enhancer for the upregulation of both BDNF and TrkB mRNA and simultaneously activates the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway, appears to strengthen the BDNF-TrkB signaling cascade. This intervention modifies firing patterns of neuronal spikes and synaptic transmission, which may contribute to the amelioration of ASD-like social interaction behavior exhibited in BDNF(met/leu) rats. Our research not only deepens our understanding of the pathogenesis of ASD, but also present encouraging avenue for early intervention strategies and treatments.

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