1. Alhrbi A, Vlachopoulos D, Ali MM, Ahmed AA, Morris C, Revuelta Iniesta R. Characterisation of Nutritional Status among Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The SANAD-ASD Cross-sectional Study. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2026: 105212.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Integrated assessments of growth, body composition, dietary intake, and micronutrient status in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia are limited. We aimed to characterise these domains and explore associations among them. METHODS: This single-centre cross-sectional study recruited children aged 4-18 years with specialist-confirmed ASD from an autism-centre registry in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January and May 2025. Standardised anthropometry, multifrequency bioelectrical impedance, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, and folate were assessed. RESULTS: Of 249 records screened, 155 participants were included (mean age, 11.23 ± 3.97 years; 89.7% male). Overall, 14.2% were classified as stunted or severely stunted, 10.3% as underweight, 31.6% as overweight, and 20.6% as having obesity. BMI-for-age Z-score correlated strongly with body-fat percentage (r = 0.75, p < 0.001), whereas micronutrient biomarkers were not significantly associated with anthropometric Z-scores. Biomarker classifications were available for 153 participants: 56.9% had vitamin D deficiency, 32.0% vitamin D insufficiency, 27.5% low ferritin, and low folate was uncommon (0.7%). Dietary data were available for 71 participants (45.8%). Mean reported energy intake was 1488 ± 614 kcal/day, corresponding to 68.7% of estimated requirements. Vitamin D, folate, and iron intakes averaged 12.1%, 62.7%, and 77.6% of their respective reference values. CONCLUSIONS: In this specialist-centre cohort, excess adiposity, shorter stature, and micronutrient risk were present concurrently at the cohort level. The absence of associations between body size and micronutrient biomarkers supports nutritional assessment beyond BMI, including dietary evaluation and targeted biochemical assessment. Longitudinal studies should clarify modifiable determinants, and intervention trials should evaluate tailored strategies.

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2. Alpert E, Chandwani N, Lin AJ, St Peter S, King S, Raskar M, Tolland K, Barrow J, Riedy CA, Isong I. Development of a teledentistry model to facilitate oral health care among people with autism spectrum disorder. J Am Dent Assoc. 2026.

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3. Cavalli G, Paolizzi E, Talbott M, Stahmer AC, Lee NR, Orsili L, Robins DL, Vivanti G. Spontaneous Imitation and Affective Modulation in Minimally Speaking Autistic Preschoolers. J Autism Dev Disord. 2026.

PURPOSE: Imitation is associated with adaptive functioning and spoken language development in typical and autistic development. However, there is limited knowledge on imitation skills and underlying processes in minimally speaking autistic preschoolers. METHODS: This study examined spontaneous imitation and visual attention of to-be-imitated actions under different conditions in minimally speaking autistic preschoolers compared to speaking autistic and typically developing peers. One hundred two preschoolers were encouraged to imitate video-recorded actions performed by a demonstrator under playful and neutral conditions. Their visual attention patterns during the demonstration were recorded via eye-tracking. RESULTS: Across groups, children attended more to the face in the playful condition and more to the action in the neutral condition, while imitation accuracy was higher in the playful condition. Minimally speaking autistic children showed reduced attention to the demonstrator’s action and lower imitation frequency and accuracy than both comparison groups, whereas speaking autistic children performed comparably to typically developing peers. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that imitation in autistic preschoolers is modulated by the affective state of the demonstrator and the spoken language level of the imitator.

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4. Cheng B, Wan E, He Y, Wang S, He Y, Lyu X. The Association Between Prenatal Anxiety and Depression and Autism Spectrum Disorder With Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children: Case-Control Study. JMIR Pediatr Parent. 2026; 9: e90446.

BACKGROUND: Studies have indicated that maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy can contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders and gut flora dysbiosis in children. However, it is unclear whether these factors increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in children. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy and ASD with GI symptoms. METHODS: A total of 470 children with ASD and 486 children with typical development were enrolled in the study. The caregivers of all enrolled children completed questionnaires, including information on maternal mental health and GI symptoms. RESULTS: The percentage of maternal prenatal anxiety or depression was significantly higher in the ASD group than in the typical development group (P<.001). Children whose mothers experienced anxiety or depression during pregnancy had substantially higher risk of developing ASD than those whose mothers did not experience these conditions (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.274, 95% CI 2.799-6.526; adjusted OR 3.897, 95% CI 2.481-6.119). For children with ASD, those whose mothers had prenatal anxiety or depression had a significantly higher risk of GI symptoms than those whose mothers did not have these conditions (unadjusted OR 1.883, 95% CI 1.209-2.934; adjusted OR 1.943, 95% CI 1.236-3.054). CONCLUSIONS: Mothers who experience anxiety or depression during pregnancy may have a higher likelihood of their children developing ASD with GI symptoms.

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5. Du Y, Sun Y. An experimental study on the intervention effects of group relay swimming training on social interaction deficits in adolescents with autism. Front Psychol. 2026; 17: 1976678.

Interventions addressing physical functioning and social generalization together remain scarce for adolescents with autism. This study developed the Aquatic Relay Social Coupling Window (ARSCW) model, which treats the instant of relay handoff as the smallest tolerable unit of social dosage and integrates sensory filtering by the aquatic medium, mandatory temporal coupling imposed by the relay format, and emotionally neutral collaboration driven by competitive goals. A 2 (training mode: group relay vs. traditional group swimming) × 3 (pairing strategy: two participants with autism, participants with autism paired with typically developing peers, and mixed teams) factorial randomized controlled design was adopted. A total of 224 adolescents with autism aged 12 to 17 years were randomized, 192 to the six factorial cells at 32 per cell and 32 to a wait list control group outside the factorial structure; 64 typically developing adolescents served as training partners only and provided no outcome data. Intervention and follow up each lasted 12 weeks, with a T2 retention rate of 88.4%. Underwater multi-person pose estimation yielded the Kuramoto order parameter and the window level index W (ARSCW), its integral over the 15 s coupling window, expressed in seconds and computed under both training modes from structurally matched windows, combined with the Relay Handoff Social Coding system (RHSC), autonomic coupling and a self reported rating of peer rapport. Training mode showed a significant main effect and pairing strategy a significant moderating effect (p = 0.018); each relay cell separated from the wait list control group after correction while no traditional cell did. The increase in W (ARSCW) mediated 51.7% of the total effect. Peer rapport followed the reverse ordering and was highest in two-autism pairings, so the objective and subjective dimensions dissociated. Social abilities generalized to physically embodied contexts, d from 0.39 to 0.68, whereas online effects were limited. The study provides empirical evidence and operational tools for adapted physical education curricula and team organization.

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6. Dzulkarnain AAA, Jamal FN, Rahmat S, Shahrudin FA, Basri NA, Musa R, Azemin MZC, Sidek SN, Yusof HM, Hamid SRA. Effects of Combined Sound and Working Memory Therapy on Medial Olivocochlear System and Auditory Sensory Gating in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Preliminary Investigation Using Contralateral Suppression of Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission. J Audiol Otol. 2026.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: : This preliminary investigation evaluated the effectiveness of sound therapy and working memory training in improving auditory sensory gating in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as measured by contralateral suppression of otoacoustic emissions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: : Twenty-one children diagnosed with ASD participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. The experimental group received a combined intervention consisting of sound and working memory training (SWMT). Within this group, participants were subdivided to receive one of three sound stimuli-white noise, waterfall sound, or Quranic recitation-along with working memory training. Contralateral transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) were recorded before and after the intervention. Measurements included the absolute amplitude of overall suppression and frequency-specific suppression amplitudes. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate changes in TEOAE suppression from before to after the intervention, as well as to compare differences between groups. RESULTS: : Based on TEOAE absolute amplitude, all experimental groups demonstrated increased contralateral TEOAE suppression following SWMT, with the greatest improvement observed in the white noise group. In addition, white noise WMT produced enhanced suppression across all octave frequencies, whereas the effects of waterfall sound and Quranic recitation WMT were restricted to frequencies of 1 kHz and 4 kHz, respectively. These findings are consistent with the gain score analysis, in which white noise yielded the highest suppression across all frequencies except 1 kHz. CONCLUSIONS: : SWMT appears to be a promising approach for enhancing auditory sensory gating in children with ASD, as evidenced by improvements in contralateral TEOAE suppression. Among the sound modalities tested, white noise combined with working memory training produced the greatest enhancement in TEOAE suppression.

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7. Eigsti IM, Tenenbaum E, Naples A. Sensitivity and specificity of the low verbal investigatory survey in a large, diverse, American sample. Mol Autism. 2026; 17(1).

BACKGROUND: The acquisition of productive language is a key predictor of quality of life in autism; however, this developmental process yields widely varying outcomes, from fluent verbal speech to an inability to communicate verbally. Currently available measures fail to characterize autism-specific communication strategies, examine only broad outcomes, or require significant time and expertise. This preregistered study rigorously tests the psychometrics and utility of a low-cost and efficient measure in a large, diverse, sample of caregivers of autistic children (including a minimally and low verbal, MLV, group), and establishes its utility for characterizing language abilities in that sample. METHODS: A 30-item yes/no questionnaire, the Low-Verbal Investigatory Survey (LVIS), was administered to 796 caregivers of autistic individuals ages 6 to 16 years, along with surveys of sociodemographics, adaptive and cognitive functioning, autistic symptomatology, and caregiver familiarity with autism. Group differences by race and ethnicity were assessed using ANOVA and chi-square analyses; the factor structure of the LVIS was assessed using confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis; convergent and divergent validity were assessed using partial correlation and regression models; and optimal LVIS cut-point for evaluating MLV status based on caregiver report was assessed via Receiver Operator Curve (ROC) analyses. RESULTS: The LVIS yielded three factors: Verbal Ability, Atypical Communication, and Nonverbal Communication. Results indicated that Verbal Ability was strongly and significantly correlated with other communication measures, and less strongly with measures of other abilities (suggesting both convergent and divergent validity). The Atypical Communication factor converged with broader autistic characteristics (Social Communication Questionnaire, and Repetitive Behaviors Scale – Revised scores). LVIS scores were consistent across race and ethnicity, income levels, and levels of autism knowledge; educational attainment was associated with higher LVIS scores. ROC results indicated a clear cut-point (Verbal Ability = 12) for predicting MLV status with good sensitivity and specificity. LIMITATIONS: Study participants may be better resourced and more connected to services than the broader population. CONCLUSIONS: The LVIS offers a low-cost, quick, and informative means of characterizing autism-specific communication skills in individuals across the autism spectrum. It may be used to track the development of language skills in large samples and longitudinal studies.

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8. Fan L, Tian Y, Jin J, Zhang N, Sun C, Liu Y, Kang L. Correction: A case-control analysis: changes in gut microbiota composition in children with autism spectrum disorder. Front Microbiol. 2026; 17: 2006584.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1890167.].

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9. Fonteneau M, Terrier C, Bolot F, Pantouli F, Brugoux A, Malhaire F, Wagnon I, Borràs-Tuduri R, Rossolillo P, McCort-Tranchepain I, Bailey A, Acher F, Llebaria A, Goudet C, Becker JAJ, Le Merrer J. Striatofugal balance and beneficial effects of facilitating nucleus accumbens mGlu4 receptor activity in the Fmr1(-/-) mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. Pharmacol Res. 2026; 234: 109712.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the leading monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To date, no approved pharmacological treatment alleviates social impairments in patients with FXS. Since D1 and D2 dopamine receptor-expressing striatal projection neurons (SPNs) were shown to regulate ASD-sensitive behaviors, we explored whether the balance of activity between D1- and D2-SPNs would be biased in the Fmr1(-/-) mouse model of FXS. We evaluated striatal function in Fmr1(-/-) and Fmr1(+/+) mice under pharmacological challenge and performed RNAscope® in situ hybridization following social interaction to assess the activity of SPNs in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and dorsal striatum. We evidenced a decrease in D1-SPN activity, biasing the D1/D2-SPN balance. We then evaluated the effects of compounds developed to repress D2-SPN activity on behavioral impairments in Fmr1(-/-) mice. Systemically facilitating mGlu4 or blocking A2a receptor activity relieved behavioral deficits in this model. Moreover, social interaction in Fmr1(-/-) mice was fully rescued by photopharmacological activation of mGlu4 in the ventral pallidum, to which both NAc D1- and D2-SPNs project, and mGlu4 receptors in the NAc likely contributed to restoring social deficits after systemic mGlu4 facilitation. Together, these results are consistent with our working hypotheses of both biased striatal D1/D2-SPN balance in social deficit and contribution of mGlu4 receptors expressed by NAc SPNs in modulating social behavior. In conclusion, pharmacological compounds able to regulate SPN activity demonstrate a promising therapeutic potential to relieve ASD-like deficits in FXS. PHARMACOLOGICAL COMPOUNDS: ADX88178 (CAS 1235318-89-4); haloperidol hydrochloride (CAS 1511-16-6); istradefylline (CAS 155270-99-8); LSP4-2022 (CAS 1413405-33-0); morphine hydrochloride (CAS 6055-06-7); quinpirole hydrochloride (CAS 85798-08-9); SCH-23390 hydrochloride (CAS 125941-87-9); SKF-81297 hydrobromide (CAS 67287-39-2); sulpiride (CAS 15676-16-1); VU0155041 sodium (CAS 1259372-69-4); optogluram (CAS 1627840-48-5).

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10. Hıra Selen AT, Uzun N, Kılınç İ, Kılıç AO. Altered NCAM1, NRXN1, NLGN4, and CDH2 Levels in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Unaffected Siblings. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2026; 24(4): 776-86.

OBJECTIVE: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been increasingly associated with alterations in synaptic function and plasticity, in which cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) play a critical role. This study aimed to compare peripheral levels of NCAM1, NRXN1, NLGN4, and CDH2 among individuals with ASD, their unaffected siblings, and healthy controls, and to examine their associations with autism severity and autistic traits in siblings. METHODS: The study included 41 children aged 18-72 months diagnosed with ASD according to DSM-5 criteria, 41 unaffected siblings of children with ASD (control group 1, aged 24-72 months), and 41 typically developing children (control group 2, aged 18-72 months). The severity of ASD symptoms was evaluated using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale and the Autism Behavior Checklist. Parents of the siblings completed the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire to assess subclinical autistic traits. Serum NCAM1, NRXN1, NLGN4, and CDH2 levels were measured in peripheral blood samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed among the study groups in serum levels of NCAM1, NRXN1, NLGN4, or CDH2. However, within the ASD group, a significant positive correlation was found between NCAM1 and NRXN1 levels, suggesting a potential interrelation between these synaptic adhesion molecules. CONCLUSION: Although peripheral levels of NCAM1, NRXN1, NLGN4, and CDH2 did not differ among groups, the observed molecular correlation in ASD cases may reflect subtle mechanisms influencing synaptic connectivity. Further biochemical and genetic studies are warranted to clarify the roles of these molecules in the etiology and neurobiology of ASD.

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11. Kaya Evsen S, Kars Kızılkoca S, Huri M. Longitudinal changes in parent-reported sensory processing from childhood to adolescence in autistic individuals: a long-term follow-up study from Türkiye. Eur J Pediatr. 2026; 185(11).

Sensory processing differences are common among autistic individuals and may change across development. However, longitudinal evidence describing how these patterns evolve during the transition from childhood to adolescence remains limited. This longitudinal study examined changes in parent-reported sensory processing patterns in 54 autistic individuals assessed approximately 6 years apart. Sensory processing was evaluated using the Turkish versions of the Sensory Profile in childhood and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile in adolescence. During childhood, mean scores indicated probable or definite sensory processing differences across all four quadrants: low registration, sensation seeking, sensory sensitivity, and sensation avoiding. By adolescence, mean scores indicated sensory processing differences only in the sensation-seeking quadrant, suggesting that differences in the other quadrants had become less pronounced. Across sensory domains, auditory processing and multisensory processing/activity level showed relative stability between childhood and adolescence, whereas differences in visual, touch, oral, and vestibular processing became less pronounced with age. CONCLUSION: These findings provide longitudinal evidence that parent-reported sensory processing patterns may change during the transition from childhood to adolescence, while some sensory domains remain relatively stable. Periodic, developmentally appropriate reassessment of sensory processing characteristics may therefore be important for identifying changing sensory needs and informing individualized support and intervention planning for autistic adolescents. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Sensory processing differences are common in autistic individuals, but longitudinal evidence on how these patterns change from childhood to adolescence remains limited. • Sensory processing characteristics may vary across developmental stages and can influence everyday participation and support needs. WHAT IS NEW: • Over approximately 6 years of follow-up, parent-reported sensory processing patterns changed from childhood to adolescence, while auditory and multisensory processing/activity level remained relatively stable. • Periodic reassessment across development may help identify current sensory needs and ensure that supports and accommodations remain aligned with the young person’s sensory profile.

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12. Kiely KP, Burkart S, Brazendale K, Hogan A, Beets MW, Adams EL, Armstrong B, White JW, 3rd, Finnegan O, Parker H, Weaver RG. Extending the Structured Days Hypothesis to Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Conceptual Framework. Adapt Phys Activ Q. 2026: 1-7.

The Structured Days Hypothesis suggests that the school day helps to regulate obesogenic behaviors, whereas out-of-school periods (e.g., summer) contribute to worsening obesogenic behaviors (e.g., low levels of physical activity, increased screen time, later sleep patterns, and unhealthy diet). However, little is known about how out-of-school periods impact children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who experience diagnosis-related challenges and unique family circumstances. This paper outlines a conceptual framework that proposes how out-of-school periods may be associated with obesogenic behaviors in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and how child- and family-level factors moderate this relationship. The hypotheses generated from the extension of the Structured Days Hypothesis to children will guide future research in this area, providing insight into who and when the risk for worsening obesogenic behavior is the greatest. This future research will provide information to help inform policies and interventions aimed at improving health outcomes and increasing access to supportive environments for this population.

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13. Lozano R, Lin X, Hagerman R, Martínez-Cerdeño V, Pinto D. DNA methylation and proteomic profiling of postmortem brain tissue reveals epigenetic dysregulation and inflammatory signaling in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Front Mol Neurosci. 2026; 19: 1932396.

BACKGROUND: Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CGG repeat expansion in the premutation range of FMR1. The epigenetic landscape of the FXTAS brain remains largely uncharacterized. We performed genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of postmortem prefrontal cortex and targeted proteomic profiling to investigate molecular alterations associated with FXTAS and evaluate convergence on inflammatory signaling. METHODS: DNA methylation was profiled in postmortem prefrontal cortex from 27 male FXTAS cases and 29 male controls using Illumina MethylationEPIC arrays. Surrogate variable analysis was used to account for latent sources of variation. Differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were defined as well as differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Exploratory functional analyses and comparison with published FXTAS transcriptomic and neurodegenerative-disease methylation datasets. Targeted proteomic profiling using the Olink Inflammation panel was performed in 9 male FXTAS cases and 12 male controls. RESULTS: We identified 98 DMPs which mapped to 70 genes. Notable DMP-associated genes included CYP2E1, related to oxidative stress; TRAF3, BATF, RCOR1, and MSI2, with roles in immune and NF-κB-related signaling; and genes associated with myelination (LINGO1), synaptic function (SYT3), and zinc homeostasis (SLC39A4). TRAF3, a negative regulator of NF-κB and type I interferon signaling, contained one of the most significant DMPs. Exploratory Reactome analysis highlighted biological themes related to inflammatory resolution, axonal growth inhibition, zinc homeostasis, and CYP2E1 metabolism, although no pathway remained significant after multiple-testing correction. Transcription-factor motif enrichment and protein-protein interaction analyses identified no significant higher-order regulatory or interaction modules. Seven DMP-associated genes overlapped with differentially expressed genes from an independent FXTAS mouse transcriptomic study, whereas no gene-level overlap was detected with the Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or Huntington’s disease methylation signatures examined. Olink profiling identified 60 significantly altered inflammation-related proteins, 59 of which showed lower abundance in FXTAS, including TLR3, IRAK1, IRAK4, IKBKG/NEMO, and C1QA. CONCLUSION: These findings identify previously unrecognized DNA methylation alterations in FXTAS prefrontal cortex involving genes related to oxidative stress, myelination, zinc homeostasis, and innate immune/NF-κB signaling. Convergence between methylation changes in immune-regulatory genes, including TRAF3, and a predominantly reduced inflammatory protein signature provides complementary evidence for altered inflammatory signaling in FXTAS.

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14. Rakhymbayeva N, Tungatarova A, Telisheva Z, Sandygulova A. QAMQOR: a benchmark dataset for engagement recognition in robot-assisted autism therapy. Front Robot AI. 2026; 13: 1868211.

Reliable engagement recognition is important for adaptive robot-assisted autism therapy (RAAT). However, progress remains constrained by the scarcity of publicly available benchmarks evaluated under realistic deployment conditions. Existing studies commonly adopt random train-test splits, which can inflate reported performance because recordings from the same child or therapy session may appear in both the training and test sets. To address this gap, we introduce QAMQOR, a benchmark dataset for engagement recognition collected during RAAT sessions with 34 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), aged 3 – 12 years. The dataset includes visual engagement annotations derived from therapy session videos and feature representations extracted using two pose-estimation frameworks. The QAMQOR dataset defines four clinically relevant evaluation protocols based on Random, Child-Independent, Session-Independent, and Activity-Independent splits. These evaluation protocols assess model generalization to unseen children, therapy sessions and activity tasks. We benchmark classical machine learning classifiers together with temporal and sequence-learning baselines for both binary and multi-class engagement recognition. Experimental results show that the evaluation protocol influenced reported performance to a degree comparable to, and for fine-grained engagement classification exceeding, the influence of classifier selection: mean macro-F1 varied by 0.12 across the four protocols in the multi-class task, against 0.07 across discriminative classifiers. The Child-Independent split proved substantially more challenging than the Random split. Under the same conditions (windows, protocols, training schedule and untuned hyperparameters) a Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN) did not outperform the classical baselines. Applying identical imbalance handling to every model improved all imbalance-sensitive metrics but left this ordering unchanged, indicating that the result is not an artifact of missing class weights. Across the models evaluated, reported performance was shifted more by evaluation design and by imbalance handling than by architectural choice. Therefore, QAMQOR serves as a reproducible reference point for this task. It also shows why fair evaluation matters: keeping the same child or session out of both the training and test sets is needed to compare future methods on equal terms and to build engagement models that transfer to new children, sessions and activities in RAAT systems.

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15. Singhi AK. Look Before You Leap?: Coronary Assessment Before PFO and ASD Device Closure. JACC Case Rep. 2026; 31(43): 109739.

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16. Taylan SB, Kılıç-Tülü B, Çakır R, Çarşanbalı B, Akkuş-Çarşanbalı Ş K, Yanaç-Taylan F. Predictors of self-regulation in children on the autism spectrum. Child Neuropsychol. 2026: 1-21.

Early childhood years are a period of rapid change in self-regulation, language, executive functions (EF), and theory of mind (ToM). Identifying how these domains interlock during this window can clarify the developmental mechanisms of self-regulation in autism. Self-regulation plays a critical role in both social development and academic success in early childhood, and influences quality of life in later years. Children on the autism spectrum (AS) often face challenges in self-regulation and related domains, making it essential to examine factors associated with self-regulation in this population. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of self-regulation skills in Turkish-speaking children on the AS. Twenty-nine participants aged 47-95 months were included in the study. Self-regulation was assessed through parental reports, and data on language, ToM, working memory (WM), and inhibitory control were collected directly from the children. Results revealed that self-regulation was positively correlated with language, ToM, and EF. These variables were also positively correlated with one another. Moreover, in the reduced regression model including ToM and verbal WM, ToM was the only statistically significant predictor of parent-reported self-regulation. These findings suggest that ToM may be an important intervention target, alongside language and EF supports, for promoting self-regulation in children on the AS. The study extends evidence on self-regulation to an underrepresented Turkish-speaking context; however, cultural factors were not directly measured. This study contributes to the literature by deepening our understanding of self-regulation development in children on the AS.

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17. Teichmann PDV, Guida JPS, Wender MCO. Comments on: Clarification regarding data extraction in the meta-analysis of prenatal acetaminophen exposure and autism. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2026; 48.

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18. Thang J, Zhou X. A Critical Review of Parent-Focused Autism Interventions: Cultural Responsiveness for Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Families. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2026.

Parent-focused interventions are essential for supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); however, their cultural responsiveness for racially and ethnically minoritized families remains underexplored. Most evidence-based programs were developed and validated primarily with White, middle-class populations, potentially limiting their relevance across diverse communities. Using the Cultural Adaptation Process (CAP) model as an organizing framework, this scoping review examined cultural responsiveness across 49 studies of parent-focused ASD interventions. The reviewed studies indicated that there have been improvements in caregiver well-being and child developmental outcomes, particularly in social communication and challenging behaviors. Application of the CAP model indicated that cultural responsiveness was most often reflected through adaptations of intervention content, whereas community engagement and ongoing adaptation processes were less frequently described. Although culturally responsive approaches appear promising, few studies directly compare culturally responsive and non-adapted interventions or reported outcomes separately by race and ethnicity. Future research should prioritize rigorous evaluation of culturally responsive interventions and greater attention to equitable service delivery.

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19. Vanneau T, Foxe JJ, Beker S, Molholm S. Disrupted Top-Down Modulation as a Mechanism of Impaired Multisensory Processing in Autistic Children. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2026.

Atypical sensory processing is commonly observed in autism, particularly when integration across sensory modalities is required. The neural mechanisms underlying multisensory differences remain unclear. We recorded EEG while autistic children aged 8-13 (AU;n = 40), siblings of autistic children (SIB;n = 26), and non-autistic controls (NA;n = 36) performed a simple reaction-time task to auditory (A), visual (V), and audiovisual (AV) stimuli. Analyses targeted event-related potentials (ERPs), alpha-band event-related desynchronization (α-ERD), and long-range theta-band functional connectivity. Groups did not differ across unisensory measures, indicating comparable unisensory processing. By contrast, multisensory integration (MSI;AV-(A+V)) differed across groups: NA children showed significant ERP MSI over parieto-central sites that was absent in AU and SIB; and α-ERD MSI was significantly reduced in AU, with SIB showing an intermediate profile. Connectivity analyses revealed reduced AV fronto-parieto-occipital coupling in autistic children relative to non-autistic children, suggesting weaker large-scale coordination during multisensory processing. These results point to a multisensory-specific deficit spanning early sensory encoding, posterior α-ERD, and fronto-posterior coupling and support disrupted multisensory influences on sensory processing due to reduced multisensory attentional orienting. SIB profiles suggest inherited liability for these neural phenotypes. These results help explain well-documented behavioral MSI differences in autism by linking impaired early enhancement with attenuated top-down control of sensory cortex.

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20. Wang Q, Luo R, Wen Q. Artificial intelligence for detecting autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health. 2026; 14: 1923851.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition, and early identification is essential for timely intervention. Conventional diagnosis relies on clinical interviews, behavioral observations, caregiver reports, and standardized tools, which are time-consuming and resource-dependent. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers opportunities for screening and adjunctive diagnosis, but studies vary in data sources, model types, and validation methods, requiring systematic evaluation. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore for studies of AI-based ASD detection. Eligible studies were required to provide ASD-versus-non-ASD diagnostic-accuracy data that could be extracted or reliably reconstructed at the independent participant or case level. Risk of bias and applicability were assessed using a modified QUADAS-AI tool. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were estimated with a bivariate Reitsma random-effects model. HSROC AUCs were calculated with bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) 95% confidence intervals based on 5,000 study-level bootstrap replicates and were omitted when SROC fits were unstable. Sensitivity analyses addressed dataset overlap, model selection, and reference-standard quality. RESULTS: Of 17,387 records, 26 studies were included. Pooled sensitivity was 0.908 (95% CI: 0.861-0.940), pooled specificity was 0.868 (95% CI: 0.830-0.898), and the HSROC AUC was 0.936 (BCa 95% CI: 0.860-0.973). A dataset-independent analysis of 21 studies yielded lower estimates (sensitivity 0.870, specificity 0.841, AUC 0.900). Leave-one-out results were generally stable. Funnel-plot asymmetry was not significant in the primary analysis and varied in direction and statistical significance across sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: AI-based models showed relatively high pooled diagnostic performance for ASD detection, but substantial heterogeneity, methodological and applicability concerns, limited external validation, and potential non-independence of underlying datasets limit the certainty and generalizability of the evidence. Funnel-plot analyses did not provide consistent evidence of conventional small-study effects or selective reporting. AI should therefore be considered an adjunct rather than a standalone diagnostic tool. Prospective multicenter validation in representative populations, participant-level evaluation, clearly defined reference diagnoses, prespecified models and operating thresholds, and independent evaluation datasets are needed before broader clinical implementation.

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21. Wang Q, Tang B, Wu Z, Zoghbi HY, Tang J. Forniceal deep brain stimulation improves memory in Rett syndrome mice by promoting the maturation of newborn hippocampal neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026; 123(44): e2535887123.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is associated with an increase in hippocampal neurogenesis and memory benefits, but the causal mechanism is unclear. Here, we use a mouse model of Rett syndrome, a severe learning disability syndrome caused by MECP2 loss of function, to find that DBS promotes the maturation and integration of newborn dentate granule cells (DGCs) into the neural circuit. Suppressing hippocampal neurogenesis prevented DBS from improving learning and memory. Newborn methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2)-deficient DGCs in Rett syndrome mice showed attenuated development and synaptic dysfunction, but DBS rescued DGC dendritic arborization, synaptogenesis, and long-term synaptic plasticity. DBS achieves this, at least in part, by increasing the protein level and shifting the phosphorylation of potassium chloride cotransporter 2, thereby restoring the conversion of GABAergic signaling from depolarization to hyperpolarization, a process that is otherwise delayed by MeCP2 deficiency. This study pinpoints one mechanism by which chronic DBS promotes neuronal maturation and enhances memory.

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22. Yoo YE, Zhang Z, Mandal P, Tang Z, Zhang J, Chen X, Robinson M, Eaton M, Deming B, Halurkar M, Kothandaraman H, Dabin LC, Jiang B, Gao H, Yuan C, Lanman N, Liu Y, Kim J, Baloni P, Yang Y. Single-nucleus transcriptomics reveals disrupted pathways in the prefrontal cortex of Scn2a-deficient mice. Transl Psychiatry. 2026; 16(1).

Loss-of-function variants in SCN2A, which encodes the Na(V)1.2 sodium channel critical for action potential initiation and backpropagation, are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy. To investigate SCN2A deficiency-related phenotypes, we developed a preclinical mouse model with severe Na(V)1.2 deficiency, which exhibits robust behavioral abnormalities related to autism and epilepsy. However, the neuronal populations and molecular alterations in the mouse model have not been investigated at single-cell resolution. In this study, we performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) in wild-type (WT), homozygous Scn2a-deficient (HOM), and Scn2a-restored HOM (HOM-FlpO) mice. We then examined how Scn2a expression levels affect cellular composition and gene expression profiles in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a brain region implicated in ASD. Intriguingly, we observed an increased population of immature GABAergic neurons in adult HOM mice, whereas this population is nearly absent in adult WT mice. Differential expression analysis of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons across genotypes also revealed widespread changes in genes associated with neurotransmitter regulation and synapse organization. Analysis of the HOM-FlpO data identified genes that were significantly altered in HOM mice and were restored toward WT levels following adult Scn2a restoration. Together, these results indicate that reduced Scn2a expression disrupts global transcriptomic profiles across multiple neural cell types, providing insight into cell-type-specific mechanisms underlying SCN2A-related disorders.

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23. Zhang H, He L, Wang D, Yan Y, He Y, Zhang Y, Shi Y, Chen Y. Reduced causal connectivity in multiple resting-state networks in autism spectrum disorder detected by convergent cross mapping. Front Psychiatry. 2026; 17: 1828923.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates alterations in causal connectivity within resting-state brain functional networks in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using the Convergent Cross Mapping (CCM) method. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange I (ABIDE I) public database. To minimize variability, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were restricted to the NYU site, comprising 52 ASD patients and 52 matched typically developing controls. Based on the AAL template, time series were extracted from five resting-state networks: attention network, default mode network, sensorimotor network, visual network, and subcortical network. The CCM method was employed to analyze causal connectivity among these brain regions. Additionally, a support vector machine (SVM) classifier was utilized to assess the discriminative potential of the identified causal connectivity patterns. RESULTS: Significant differences in causal connections were observed, particularly in the default mode network, which exhibited the most pronounced alterations. Overall, ASD patients showed a general decrease in causal connectivity across networks, accompanied by some localized increases. The SVM classifier accurately differentiated individuals with ASD from controls based on the causal connectivity patterns derived from resting-state brain networks. CONCLUSION: These findings elucidate dynamical network mechanisms underlying ASD pathophysiology and highlight candidate neurobiological markers with potential translational relevance.

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