1. Béroule DG. The irreplaceable role of sleep in building long-term memories: offline integration of free cortical units and its possible implication in autism. Front Hum Neurosci. 2026; 20: 1777687.

The part played by synaptic plasticity in natural learning can be reassessed owing to the discovery of dormant neurons in the cortical layer-2 of large-brained mammals. Here, the recruitment of cortical columns that contain these quiescent cells is argued to underlie the lifelong building of long-term memories, albeit only during periods when cortical regions are segregated, while perception, cognition and motor skills are at their lowest level. As records of online experience are replayed by the hippocampus, about half of every sleep cycle would harbour the relevant neurites outgrowth between in-use and free cortical columns. This translation of labile traces into steady imprints is simulated on computer, in an attempt to link experimental findings to specific functions and possibly generate predictions. Rapid eyes movement observed at the end of every sleep cycle is notably interpreted as a side effect of the necessary priming of peripheral effectors whereby cortical replay can induce activation in the hippocampus and thus allow new connections between paths that are thus concurrently activated. Architectural and functional data highlight a topological matching between key components of the underlying model and those of thalamocortical structures. Several factors are considered for the experience-driven development of these structures, including slow-wave activity whereby the guided growth of axons may occur from layer-2 of their host column towards the layer-4 of free columns, possibly steered in parallel by distinct calcium waves. In addition to this main prediction, this theory supports the central role of sleep in the development of autistic symptoms. Rooted in an epigenetic downregulation of the MAOA brain enzyme, the resulting offline over-activity would entail aberrant branching between cortical columns. Whereas most features of the condition have already been interpreted through this systemic approach, the evolution of autism prevalence across four human generations is derived here from the masking effects of genetic variants and X chromosome inactivation, while a host of risk factors is liable to promote MAOA. Accordingly, pregnancy should be prevented from excess MAOA activity by being subjected to prior blood testing, which may lead to the individualized prescription of MAOA inhibitors.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

2. Bouchouras G, Doumanas D, Kotis K. NeuroCypher ASD: Machine Learning with Knowledge Graph-Based Representation for ASD Screening in Toddlers. J Healthc Inform Res. 2026; 10(3): 666-88.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) screening often relies on structured questionnaires. Yet these data are not always easy to interpret or use in practice. There is a need for screening frameworks that support risk estimation, case comparison, and pattern exploration in a clear and accessible way. In this work, we present NeuroCypher ASD, a framework that combines tabular machine learning with a knowledge graph for ASD screening, interpretation, and data exploration. The tabular model uses questionnaire responses and demographic features to estimate ASD risk. The knowledge graph organizes the data and supports case comparison, pattern exploration, and natural language querying. The system is evaluated under a leakage-aware protocol using tabular, graph-based, and hybrid models. The results show strong performance for the tabular model and clarify the role of graph-based representations within the overall workflow. In this setting, the knowledge graph supports structured analysis of screening data by helping users examine relationships between cases, inspect shared features, and interpret predictions in context. To strengthen interpretability, the framework includes SHAP-based analysis and approximate mappings between embedding dimensions and original questionnaire features. It also includes an anomaly detection module that highlights atypical cases for closer review. Overall, NeuroCypher ASD provides a practical framework for combining prediction, interpretation, and data exploration in ASD screening. The results show the value of integrating machine learning, graph-based context, and natural language interaction in more transparent and accessible screening workflows, particularly in school-based environments.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

3. Graham LN, Tueller S, Naughton R, Wheeler A, Kelleher B. Challenging behaviors across COVID-19 in young children with rare neurogenetic conditions: A seven-year, cross-syndrome analysis. Child Dev. 2026; 97(5): 1489-501.

Challenging behaviors are common in rare neurogenetic conditions and significantly impact family life. Families were especially vulnerable during COVID-19, yet little is known about behavior trajectories considering pre-pandemic risks. The Purdue Early Phenotype Study has followed children with and without neurogenetic conditions since 2017, including during the pandemic. Analyses examined patterns and predictors of challenging behaviors among 228 children (Williams = 52; Angelman = 64; Prader-Willi = 29; fragile X = 23; controls = 60), ages 1 month-10 years (57% male, predominantly White), focusing on how prepandemic features predicted later trajectories. Across classes, challenging behaviors increased. Latent class analysis showed that higher-risk family profiles predicted steeper increases in internalizing behaviors. Findings suggest COVID-19 layered complex additional effects onto dynamic early behavioral trajectories in families of children with rare neurogenetic conditions. Families of children with rare neurogenetic conditions commonly experience challenges with their child’s behavior, which can be quite stressful to manage. This study followed 228 children with and without neurogenetic conditions from 2017 on, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, our goal was to understand how characteristics of the child and family predicted behavioral changes during the pandemic. Overall, challenging behaviors increased during the pandemic, but increased more substantially for families with less support and more high-risk features. These findings show that the pandemic layered on additional challenges for families of children with neurogenetic conditions and highlight the importance of supporting families during major public health disruptions. eng.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

4. Mohammed HO, Eid EM, Younes ER. Enhancing social and linguistic skills in children with autism: A semi-randomized controlled clinical trial of a virtual reality-based communicative rehabilitation programme. J Neuropsychol. 2026.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication, and conventional therapies often struggle to facilitate the generalization of these skills to real-world settings. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR)-based communication rehabilitation intervention as a supplement to conventional treatment for improving the linguistic and social communication skills of Arabic-speaking Egyptian children with ASD. A clinical trial with a pretest-posttest control group design was employed, wherein 60 children aged 4-6 years with mild to moderate ASD were assigned to either VR plus conventional therapy (Group I, n = 30) or conventional therapy alone (Group II, n = 30). Over 6 months, participants received 2 weekly 30-min sessions. Outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention and at a 3-month follow-up using the Preschool Language Scale-Fourth Edition, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition and an ASD Social Skills Scale. Group I demonstrated statistically significant improvements in receptive and expressive language ages (p < .001) and total social skills scores (p < .001) compared to Group II. Crucially, these therapeutic gains were sustained at the 3-month follow-up with no significant deterioration (p > .05). VR-based communication rehabilitation is a highly effective and sustainable intervention for supplementing language and social skills in young children with ASD. Its integration into clinical practice provides a scalable, engaging and culturally adaptable platform for neurodevelopmental care.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

5. Paolizzi E, Orsili L, Talbott M, Cavalli G, Stahmer AC, Lee NR, Robins DL, Vivanti G. Social enhancement of associative learning in neurotypical, speaking autistic, and minimally speaking autistic preschoolers. Mol Autism. 2026; 17(1).

BACKGROUND: Associative learning, defined as the ability to form connections between events based on temporal or spatial contiguity, is typically enhanced by social stimuli. Whether social stimuli similarly enhance associative learning in autism, particularly among minimally speaking children, is unknown. This study examined social enhancement of associative learning in neurotypical (NT), autistic preschoolers who use spoken language (ASD-S), and minimally speaking autistic (ASD-MS) preschoolers. METHODS: Seventy-two children aged 24-56 months (19 NT, 30 ASD-S, 23 ASD-MS) completed a novel eye-tracking task. During 4 learning trials, neutral cues were associated with the appearance of a social or a non-social stimulus in different areas of the screen. In subsequent test trials, only the neutral cue was shown, allowing assessment of (a) associative learning (i.e., preferential looking toward the previously paired area of the screen) and (b) enhancement of associative learning in the social condition. General linear models evaluated group differences across conditions. RESULTS: When the neutral cue was paired with the social stimulus, during the test trial NT and ASD-S preschoolers looked longer toward the area where the social stimuli had previously appeared, compared to the area associated with the non-social stimulus (NT: p < .001; ASD-S: p = .04). In contrast, ASD-MS preschoolers showed no significant difference in their attention to the areas previously associated with social or non-social stimuli. Analyses focused on differential scores (attention toward the social-paired location minus the non-social-paired location) significantly favored the social condition in NT (p = .005) and ASD-S children (p = .007), but not in ASD-MS children. Between-group comparisons showed greater social enhancement in NT compared with ASD-MS preschoolers (p = .03). LIMITATIONS: The social stimuli used in the experiment may not fully capture the complexity of everyday social interactions. CONCLUSIONS: Social stimuli enhanced associative learning in neurotypical and speaking autistic preschoolers, but not in their minimally speaking autistic peers. This pattern suggests meaningful heterogeneity in the mechanisms supporting social learning across the autism spectrum and underscores the need to consider spoken language abilities when characterizing learning profiles in autism.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

6. Philip P, Lim M, Armstrong G, Grills N. Dentists’ experiences treating children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities in India: A descriptive qualitative study. J Intellect Disabil. 2026: 17446295261476475.

The study explored dentists’ perspectives and experiences providing dental care for children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities in India. A descriptive qualitative research approach was employed, utilising semi-structured interviews with dentists practicing in both urban and rural areas. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and thematically analysed. The analysis resulted in four major themes: 1) the need to improve caregivers’ awareness regarding dental care, 2) the need to improve caregiver support regarding dental care, 3) complexity in providing dental care and 4) the need to improve support for dentists. Challenges varied among rural and urban areas with dentists in rural areas facing difficulties due to lack of caregivers’ awareness and cultural misconceptions. Raising caregivers’ awareness and improving their motivation will go a long way to improve care, especially in rural areas. In addition, there is an urgent need to improve support for dentists and preparedness in terms of training and facilities.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

7. Yu B, Li HX, He XN, Fu YS, Zhang XH, Lei G, Zhao Y, Zhao CF, Shi XE, Lv JM. Altered cortical activation and functional connectivity during fixed phrase verbal fluency in children with autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry. 2026; 17: 1786619.

BACKGROUND: This study examined prefrontal activation and functional connectivity during a fixed phrase verbal fluency task (VFT) in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to basic information- and Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ)-matched children with intellectual disability (ID), to identify neural mechanisms underlying executive dysfunction specific to ASD beyond general cognitive impairment. METHODS: The sample included 33 children diagnosed with ASD and 21 with ID, all with FSIQ < 70. Cortical hemodynamics were recorded using a 19-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy system during a standardized phonemic VFT. Analysis focused on changes in oxyhemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentrations within prefrontal cortex (PFC) regions. RESULTS: Compared to the ID group, children with ASD showed significantly reduced cortical activation in prefrontal regions, including Channels 1 (t = -4.272, p < 0.01) and 2 (t = -3.827, p < 0.01), corresponding anatomically to the right inferior frontal gyrus. Functional connectivity was also significantly lower in the ASD group (p < 0.05), with a mean connectivity value of 0.191 (SD = 0.130) versus 0.230 (SD = 0.155) in the ID group. Furthermore, Oxy-Hb changes in prefrontal Channels 1 (r = -0.852, p < 0.001) and 2 (r = -0.606, p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with Childhood Autism Rating Scale total scores, indicating that decreased prefrontal activation was associated with increased clinical symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate distinct alterations in cortical activation and functional connectivity during VFTs in children with ASD. These findings suggest that disrupted coordination among brain regions contributes to impairments in phonemic fluency and executive control in ASD. Children with ASD exhibited reduced PFC activation accompanied by weakened functional connectivity during the VFT.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)