1. Glod M, Grahame V, Rodgers J. The Use of the Clinical Global Impressions Scale in Psychosocial Interventions for Autism Characteristics: A Systematic Review. Autism. 2026: 13623613261472939.

The increase in intervention diversity to improve core difficulties in autism has resulted in the development and proliferation of a variety of measures to assess change. The Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale has been recommended for use in pharmacological autism clinical trials to monitor individuals’ progress. No specific recommendations have been made for an outcome measure for psychosocial interventions. This review aimed to evaluate available evidence of a use of the CGI scale as an outcome measure in psychosocial interventions for autism characteristics. A systematic search of electronic databases identified 22 primary studies utilising the CGI scale to evaluate change across a range of social, communication and behavioural interventions for autistic people. The lack of consistency in the use of the measure was evident. This applied to the variety of constructs being measured, inconsistent application and scoring methods, which all limited the CGI scale’s reliability and validity. Despite the widespread use of the CGI scale in psychosocial clinical trials for autistic people, the lack of standardisation hampers conclusions regarding the evidence of its effectiveness in measuring change. Standardisation of the use of the CGI scale is essential to ensure comprehensive evaluation of interventions.Lay AbstractMany different therapies and supports exist to help autistic people with social, communication, and behavioural differences. To understand whether these interventions are working, researchers need good tools to measure change. One commonly used tool in medical studies is the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale, which helps clinicians rate a person’s overall improvement. Although the CGI scale is recommended for autism medication studies, there are no clear guidelines for using it in psychosocial (non-medical) interventions. In this review, we looked at research studies that used the CGI scale to measure change after psychosocial interventions for autistic people. We found 22 studies that used the CGI scale in very different ways. The studies measured a wide range of skills and behaviours, and they often used the CGI scale differently from one another. This inconsistency makes it difficult to trust the results or compare findings across studies. Although the CGI scale is widely used, the lack of standard guidelines means it may not reliably show whether psychosocial interventions are effective. To improve research and ensure that interventions are properly evaluated, it is important to develop clear, standardised ways of using the CGI scale.

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2. Hejazi A, Hajisoltani R, Farbib M, Sadr H, Mehrabi F, Baluchnejadmojarad T, Mehrabi S. Therapeutic potential of edaravone and flurbiprofen in valproic acid-induced autism: Targeting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. IBRO Neurosci Rep. 2026; 21: 342-51.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents significant therapeutic challenges, with growing evidence implicating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in its pathophysiology. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of edaravone and flurbiprofen, administered alone and in combination, in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced autism model in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An autism model was established through prenatal VPA exposure. Social behavior, anxiety, and memory were assessed using a battery of standardized behavioral tests. Pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were evaluated via ELISA, and hippocampal neuronal density was assessed by Nissl staining. RESULTS: All treatment groups (edaravone, flurbiprofen, and their combination) showed significant improvements in autism-related behaviors, including enhanced social interaction, reduced memory deficits, and decreased anxiety. The treatments lowered pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and MDA levels, while restoring the activity of antioxidant enzymes GPX and SOD. CONCLUSIONS: Edaravone and flurbiprofen effectively improved autism-like behaviors by targeting shared pathways of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. However, the combination therapy offered no additive benefits over monotherapy. This finding suggests that monotherapy with either drug is sufficient to achieve maximal therapeutic effects, a point with significant implications for future treatment strategies in ASD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study advances neurodevelopmental neuroscience by demonstrating that independently targeting oxidative stress or neuroinflammation achieves maximal behavioral and hippocampal rescue in an autism model, revealing a convergent therapeutic ceiling that challenges combinatorial polypharmacy and refines our understanding of how overlapping pathological pathways govern neural circuit dysfunction and functional recovery.

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3. Zhang E, Snyder M, Alduraidi W, Hunley S, Sohl K, Cheak-Zamora N, Nelson EL. Health Care Transition Experiences for Rural and Urban Autistic Adolescents and Young Adults: A Qualitative Analysis. Autism. 2026: 13623613261472991.

Health care transition (HCT) is underexplored among autistic adolescents and young adults (AYAs). We explored autistic AYAs’ HCT experiences through virtual semi-structured interviews with 19 participants (mean age = 21.4 years; range = 15-25). Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and interpreted through self-determination theory (SDT). Participants described HCT as marked by increased expectations for independent health care management without commensurate preparation, relational continuity, or structural support. Findings were organized around SDT domains of competence, autonomy, and relatedness, which were interconnected. Gaps in competence constrained autonomy and contributed to stress and care avoidance. Autonomy was negotiated and situational, often supported through ongoing caregiver involvement rather than full independence. Relatedness was undermined by fragmented care, limited continuity, and experiences of being dismissed by providers. Structural factors (transportation, insurance acceptance, provider availability, and rurality) shaped when and how these psychological needs could be met, amplifying transition-related challenges. Autistic AYAs want to take ownership of their care, but successful HCT depends on developmentally scaffolded skill-building, supportive interdependence, and health systems that foster competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Findings highlight the need for autism-responsive HCT models that incorporate gradual preparation, provider training, caregiver-supported autonomy, and structural accommodations, particularly in rural communities.Lay AbstractMoving from pediatric to adult health care can be challenging for autistic adolescents and young adults, especially in rural areas. We interviewed 19 autistic participants ages 15 to 25 to understand their experiences of health care transition. We analyzed interviews to identify themes and organized findings around three needs: feeling capable of managing health care (skills and confidence), having appropriate choice and control, and feeling supported and taken seriously by health care providers. Participants often described being expected to manage appointments, medications, and communication with providers more independently, without enough preparation or clear guidance. Many reported that limited skills or confidence made it harder to take charge of their care and contributed to stress and sometimes avoiding care. Independence was not « all-or-nothing »: participants described sharing responsibilities with caregivers in ways that changed across situations, rather than becoming fully independent at once. Participants also described challenges with continuity and relationships such as switching providers, fragmented services, and feeling dismissed, making it harder to feel understood and supported. Practical barriers shaped these experiences, including transportation, whether providers accepted insurance, limited local providers, and rural distance. Overall, participants wanted to take more ownership of their health, but they emphasized the need for step-by-step skill-building, supportive shared responsibility with caregivers, and health care systems that help autistic young people feel capable, in control, and supported, especially in rural communities.

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