1. Abdollahi R, Mohammadpour Y. Coping Strategies for Social Challenges in Mothers of Children With Autism: A Content Analysis Study. J Family Reprod Health. 2026; 20(1): 32-40.

OBJECTIVE: Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Iran encounter profound social challenges, such as stigma, blame, isolation, and inadequate support, intensified by cultural norms and limited resources. This qualitative study aimed to explore coping strategies used by these mothers in Urmia, northwestern Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Employing conventional content analysis per Graneheim and Lundman’s framework, we purposively sampled 18 mothers of children aged 3-18 years with confirmed ASD, ensuring maximum variation. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted from January 2024 to June 2025 until data saturation. Transcripts were coded and analyzed iteratively via MAXQDA software, with rigor maintained through credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. RESULTS: The overarching theme was « Multifaceted Coping Strategies for Social Challenges, » encompassing four categories: [1] Individual Coping Factors (acceptance, positive reappraisal, self-care, emotional regulation, knowledge acquisition); [2] Interpersonal and Relational Coping Factors (selective social engagement, family/spousal support, educating others); [3] Spiritual and Cultural Coping Factors (religious beliefs, prayer, finding meaning, patience); and [4] Community and External Support Coping Factors (support groups, advocacy, awareness efforts, professional guidance). CONCLUSION: Mothers integrated emotion-focused (especially spiritual) and problem-focused strategies, influenced by Iranian cultural, religious, and collectivist contexts, underscoring needs for culturally tailored interventions, stigma reduction, and enhanced support services to bolster resilience.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

2. Ballesteros ACM, Bello JVG, Zuñiga ESG, Páez SNP, Rincón EHH. From Data to Early Diagnosis: Artificial Intelligence as a Tool to Support Screening and Detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Childhood. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2026; 28(1).

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with significant implications for childhood development and public health. Early detection is critical to enable timely intervention, yet access to specialised assessment remains limited in many settings. In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) has gained increasing attention as a potential tool to support early ASD screening. This review summarises recent evidence on the use of AI for the screening and early detection in childhood. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies generally report favorable results for AI-based approaches, particularly in pediatric populations. Multimodal models that integrate data from questionnaires, video and audio sources tend to outperform single modality approaches, with reported improvements in accuracy and sensitivity. However, most studies remain experimental, with small sample sizes and limited validation in real world clinical environments. AI shows promise as a supportive tool for early screening, but current evidence supports its use as a complement to, rather than replacement for, clinical assessment. Further validation in routine practice is needed before widespread implementation.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

3. Beaglehole B, Lu G, Frampton C. Autism spectrum disorder trends for children and adults in New Zealand: A longitudinal examination of three national databases. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2026: 48674261472427.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder rates are rising internationally, although most studies only report prevalence rates for children, with limited data available for adults. We were interested in whether a similar trend is present in New Zealand and wished to report autism spectrum disorder data for adults. METHOD: We analysed three large national databases to report population-adjusted rates of autism spectrum disorder in New Zealand between 2009 and 2023. Rates were analysed according to child (<18 years) and adult (18 years and over) populations, as well as by gender and ethnicity. The frequency of newly identified cases in the databases was also reported. RESULTS: Autism spectrum disorder prevalence and the frequency of newly identified cases increased threefold during the study period. By 2023, the rate of autism spectrum disorder diagnoses in the New Zealand population was 1.3% for children and 0.14% for adults. Autism spectrum disorder was more common among males and in more deprived areas. Māori rates of autism spectrum disorder were lower than non-Māori rates in 2009 but increased nearly fivefold, and this finding reversed by 2023. CONCLUSION: Autism spectrum disorder is becoming more common in New Zealand. The increase occurred for child and adult populations and shows no sign of abating. Healthcare and disability services should prepare for increased demand by people with autism spectrum disorder through enhanced education, service planning, and additional resources.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

4. Chen X, Zhou X, Yin BY, Zou FY, Zhong SS, Deng YY, Zhao JY, Ni YX, Zhou WY, Guo RM. Integrating Brain Morphological Features and Ionized Serum Magnesium to Identify Mild Tic Comorbidity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2026; 22: 622603.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently co-occurs with tic disorders, yet clinical differentiation remains challenging. This study developed and validated a predictive model combining brain morphological imaging and serum trace elements to distinguish ASD alone from ASD with comorbid mild tic disorders. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional diagnostic study included 104 children aged 4-15 years (90 boys and 14 girls): 53 with ASD alone and 51 with ASD and mild tic disorders. Participants were randomly divided into training and internal validation cohorts at a 7:3 ratio. Candidate predictors were screened in the training cohort with correction for multiple comparisons and further selected using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression. These features were incorporated into a multivariable regression equation and a nomogram. Model performance and internal validation were assessed via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: Independent predictors included asymmetry indices of the caudate nucleus, nucleus accumbens, and paratenial thalamic nucleus; cortical curvatures of the left anterior cingulate cortex and right lateral occipital gyrus; and ionized serum magnesium levels (all p < 0.05). The model achieved the areas under the ROC curves (AUROCs) of 0.904 (95% CI: 0.834-0.975) in the training cohort and 0.826 (95% CI: 0.664-0.988) in the internal validation cohort, outperforming individual predictors. Calibration was acceptable, and DCA suggested potential clinical utility within this cohort. CONCLUSION: The nomogram prediction model accurately distinguishes between ASD and ASD-mT, showing strong discriminative power and clinical value. It may aid clinicians in early comorbidity detection and guide treatment decisions.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

5. de Lemos M, Molina AP, Chevalier L, Chu A, Guthrie KM, Kao B, Plante W, Lobato D, Long KA. « That’s my brother »: Perceptions of future involvement among Latino and non-Latino youth siblings of autistic individuals. Res Dev Disabil. 2026; 176: 105358.

PURPOSE: Throughout their youth, non-autistic siblings of autistic individuals may begin considering their involvement in their autistic sibling’s life, which may affect their well-being. However, there is little research on how expectations for future involvement differ across cultures. Understanding why and how youth siblings’ expectations manifest may inform the design of family interventions that are appropriate for culturally-diverse samples. The present analysis examines how Latino and non-Latino youth siblings perceive their future supportive roles in their autistic sibling’s life. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted in English with 12 Latino and 9 non-Latino youth siblings (N = 21). Eligible families had at least one child diagnosed with autism and a non-autistic sibling between 8 and 17 years old. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using a coding structure. Data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis and were both analyzed in aggregate and stratified by ethnic background. RESULTS: Two themes were identified: 1) expectations of evolving sibling roles and responsibilities into adulthood shape siblings’ visions of their future involvement and 2) without family support, anxiety about the future pushes siblings into action or avoidance. Driven by a sense of duty, Latino siblings were more certain of a support role in their autistic sibling’s life. Non-Latino siblings expressed more uncertainty and variability in their expectations for a future support role, feeling conflicted between prioritizing their autistic sibling or future family. CONCLUSION: These themes are consistent with literature emphasizing how cultural values, such as familism and individualism, shape caregiving attitudes and expectations. These findings may inform the design of culturally-responsive family interventions.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

6. Holle LM, Kratz J, Dow-Hillgartner EN, Patel MA, Deming D, Uboha N, Lubner S, LoConte NK. HopeFOL, or FOL of problems? Leucovorin for autistic symptoms. Oncologist. 2026; 31(9).

In late 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made an unprecedented announcement about approving leucovorin for autism symptoms. But the data for its use in autism is flawed. It has only been shown to be safe and effective in a rare genetic syndrome caused by a mutation in the folate receptor alpha gene (FOLR1-CFTD), for which FDA approval was granted in March 2026. Yet patients with autism are already seeking leucovorin. Why is this important in oncology? This approval could impact patients with cancer, where leucovorin is regularly used to mitigate high-dose methotrexate toxicity and enhance fluorouracil efficacy. Leucovorin shortages have been common since 2008. An increased demand for leucovorin for autistic symptoms could limit the available supply for patients with life-threatening cancers. Previous leucovorin drug shortages have led to poorer outcomes by use of less effective regimens, increased real and near-miss errors, decreased clinical trial enrollment, and increased costs. The oncology healthcare team can play a crucial role in minimizing the impact of the off-label use of leucovorin on the care of patients with cancer. As healthcare providers, we need to ensure that access to medications is available only for indications that are based on sound science and peer-reviewed research or are available within a clinical trial.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

7. Kumar M, Sahithya B. Commentary on: Vision in autism: An overlooked frontier in pediatric rehabilitation. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2026; 74(8): 1106-8.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

8. Latunji A. Beyond Repeats: Intragenic Variants in FMR1 and Their Contribution to Fragile X Syndrome Pathogenesis. Niger J Physiol Sci. 2026; 41(1): 123-32.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability, is typically caused by expansion of a CGG triplet repeat in the 5′ untranslated region (5′-UTR) of the FMR1 gene. Growing evidence indicates that intragenic mutations in FMR1, including single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and structural changes, can also alter FMR1 function without the classical pathogenic expansion of CGG repeats. This study re-analysed publicly available next-generation sequencing (NGS) data from BioProject PRJNA745542 using a reproducible Galaxy-based bioinformatics workflow to identify non-repeat intragenic FMR1 variants. Of 18 available datasets, 11 paired-end Illumina samples passing quality control (Phred > 30) were analysed for non-repeat intragenic FMR1 variants. Ninety-one unique variants were identified: 61 single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), 26 insertions/deletions (indels), three mixed (complex) variants, and one multi-nucleotide polymorphism (MNP), producing 1,107 predicted gene effects. SnpEff predicted sixteen variants to have high or moderate impact, predominantly within the KH1 and KH2 RNA-binding domains of FMRP. Most predicted effects (94.3%) were intronic or non-coding, suggesting a possible regulatory role in the expression or processing of FMR1 transcripts. These preliminary findings warrant validation in larger cohorts of subjects with verified disease status. High-impact KH-domain variants are predicted to disrupt hydrogen bonding required for FMRP RNA-binding and mRNA transport. This study extends the known mutation spectrum of FMR1 and supports the development of comprehensive NGS-based diagnostic assays that combine intragenic SNV and indel detection with quantitative CGG repeat analysis. Further studies using cellular or animal models are needed to validate the candidate variants identified and their potential role in Fragile X syndrome pathogenesis.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

9. Lu L, Sarkar AK, Dao L, Liu Y, Ma C, Thwin PH, Chang X, Yoshida G, Li A, Wang C, Westerkamp C, Schmitt L, Chelsey M, Stephanie M, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Wang X, Zhu LQ, Liu D, Tchieu J, Miyakoshi M, Zhu H, Gross C, Pedapati E, Salomonis N, Erickson C, Guo Z. The m(6)A-mediated epi-transcriptomic dysregulation drives synaptic dysfunction in fragile X syndrome. Mol Psychiatry. 2026.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading genetic cause of intellectual disability, arises from FMR1 gene silencing and the subsequent loss of the RNA-binding protein FMRP. N6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is a prevalent mRNA modification essential for post-transcriptional regulation. FMRP binds and regulates the stability of m(6)A-containing transcripts. However, how FMRP deficiency impacts transcriptome-wide m(6)A modifications in FXS remains unknown. To address this, we generated cortical neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from healthy individuals and FXS patients. Electrophysiology recordings revealed synaptic and neuronal network defects in FXS iPSC-derived neurons. Transcriptome-wide analysis revealed striking m(6)A hypermethylation predominantly affecting synapse-associated transcripts. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that FMRP deficiency drives the aberrant translational upregulation of core m(6)A writers, a causal relationship definitively validated using CGG-corrected isogenic control lines. Targeted genetic knockdown of the m(6)A writer METTL3 successfully rescued synaptic phenotypes in FXS neurons, whereas its overexpression in control neurons phenocopied these synaptic defects, confirming the causal role of m(6)A dysregulation in FXS pathology. Notably, pharmacological intervention with the METTL3 inhibitor STM-2457 normalized methylation on synapse-associated transcripts and restored synaptic transmission in FXS neurons. Together, our findings uncover an FMRP-dependent epitranscriptomic mechanism contributing to FXS pathogenesis and suggest a promising avenue for m(6)A-targeted therapies.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

10. Ma C, Zhao J, Wang C, Meng B, Yao G, Ye H. From autism to obesity and beyond: mapping global trends and gaps in pediatric gut microbiota interventions-a bibliometric analysis. Transl Pediatr. 2026; 15(7): 277.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric gut microbiota interventions are increasingly applied in conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obesity, and malnutrition; however, the global research structure and thematic trends remain unclear. This study aimed to map the global research landscape of pediatric gut microbiota interventions from 2010 to 2025, characterizing publication trends, geographic and institutional distribution, collaboration networks, and thematic evolution, in order to identify research hotspots and evidence gaps that should guide future priorities. METHODS: Publications from January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2025, were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) using predefined search terms. Microsoft Excel 2021, VOSviewer 1.6.19, CiteSpace 6.2.4, and the R package bibliometrix 4.0.0 were employed to analyze publication trends, geographic distribution, institutional and author collaborations, highly cited works, and keyword co-occurrence. RESULTS: A total of 1,915 articles involving 12,308 authors across 546 journals were identified, citing 39,956 references and generating 3,510 unique keywords. Global output has increased markedly over 15 years, with China and the United States forming a « dual-core » dominance. Only 27.12% of the studies resulted from multi-country (international) collaborations, indicating limited cross-regional partnerships. Research hotspots have centered on ASD, obesity, and nutritional disorders, while developmental and behavioral outcomes have been underrepresented. Personalized nutrition, microbiota-brain-behavior links, and multi-omics integration have emerged as growing themes. CONCLUSIONS: This bibliometric study maps the global landscape of pediatric gut microbiota interventions, revealing rapid expansion but thematic imbalance. Greater multinational collaboration and broader inclusion of developmental health endpoints emerge as key priorities for the future research agenda.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

11. McKeown CA, Williams MT, Quintero-Giegeling AM, Vollmer TR. Further evaluation of the observer effect to train discrete-trial instruction skills. J Appl Behav Anal. 2026; 59(4): e70075.

This study extended prior observer-effect training research by evaluating whether scoring video models improved procedural fidelity when implementing discrete-trial instruction (DTI) with early intervention clients. Fifteen undergraduate students were assessed on implementation of three DTI skills (e.g., matching) following written instructions alone and received asynchronous, online training where they scored video models of DTI implementation using a procedural fidelity checklist. A multiple-baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the efficacy and generalization of the observer effect on procedural fidelity across skills. After scoring a matching video, 73.33% of participants (n = 11) met mastery criteria for implementing matching and 46.67% (n = 7) generalized skills to imitation and listener responding. Consistent with prior research, observation alone produced improvements in procedural fidelity and for most participants, mastery without in vivo modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. Results support observer-effect training as an efficient method for establishing high-fidelity DTI implementation.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

12. Piazzalunga C, Ravazzani S, Romano A, Storti FM, Zelano C, Mencacci E, Giana G, Martinelli O, Galli M, Ferrante S. Inclusive and Collaborative Exergame for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Development and Usability Study. JMIR Serious Games. 2026; 14: e90156.

BACKGROUND: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) face difficulties in being included in activities with their peers due to differences in cognitive abilities and social skills. Video games offer a promising medium to support inclusion, physical activity, and social engagement, but current solutions struggle to provide equitable experiences to heterogeneous groups of users, especially in multiplayer real-time contexts. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to co-design and develop an inclusive collaborative real-time multiplayer exergame, assessing its usability, the impact of accessibility features, and players’ satisfaction and enjoyment. METHODS: The exergame Elemental was co-designed following the CeHRes (Centre for eHealth and Wellbeing Research) Roadmap, involving clinicians, educators, engineers, and individuals with IDDs. A total of 2 cooperative minigames were developed: Igloo (focused on stimulus collection) and Volcano (focused on enhancing collaboration), playable with 4 different input devices (buttons, tablet, hand-tracking, and full-body tracking). Customizable facilitation options were implemented to adapt gameplay to sensory, cognitive, and motor needs. Young adults with IDDs participated in a 2-phase study testing whether personalized accommodations could eliminate performance disparities: (1) Igloo in homogeneous groups, based on functioning and expected behavior and interaction with stimuli, without facilitations, using all devices to identify optimal input methods, and (2) Volcano in heterogeneous groups using their best-performing devices with individualized facilitations tailored by educators. Data collected included in-game performance (accuracy, reaction time, and collaboration contributions), behavioral observations, and questionnaires on satisfaction and usability from players. Nonparametric analyses were used to assess relationships between disability severity, performance, and the impact of facilitations. RESULTS: A total of 11 individuals (2 male and 9 female; mean age 25.1, SD 4.4 years) with different IDD diagnoses were recruited from an association supporting individuals with cognitive impairments. In the Igloo sessions, performance was negatively correlated with intellectual disability severity (ρ=-0.87, 95% CI -1.00 to -0.56; P<.001) and reaction time was positively correlated (ρ=0.69, 95% CI 0.08-0.94; P=.02). Instead, no significant correlation between performance and intellectual disability severity was observed in the Volcano sessions (ρ=0.24, 95% CI -0.48 to 0.79; P=.48). These results highlight that tailored support (personalized facilitations and best-suited devices) can foster equitable participation even in heterogeneous groups. Behavioral analysis revealed frequent peer collaboration. Participants reported high usability and satisfaction (median 4/5, IQR 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: This study introduces an inherently accessible, co-designed multiplayer exergame. Unlike approaches that adapt games or create separate disability-specific solutions, Elemental was conceived as inclusive from the outset. By demonstrating that personalized features can eliminate performance disparities, this work highlights how inclusive co-design can transform an activity into an inclusive, collaborative, and enjoyable experience for individuals with different abilities and intellectual impairments, supporting the shift from fitting individuals into existing digital spaces to designing environments able to embrace diversity.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

13. Samosir SM, Wungu CDK, Noviandi R, Alwi ZB, Wan Taib WR, Setiawati Y, Gunawan PI. Rare VDR variant rs1338135647 and lower vitamin D levels in autism spectrum disorder: An exploratory case-control study in Indonesian children. Biomol Biomed. 2026.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition arising from interactions between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, including vitamin D status. This study investigated the associations of serum vitamin D levels and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene variants with ASD in Indonesian children. This exploratory case-control study included 80 children aged 24-59 months from Surabaya, Indonesia, comprising 40 children with ASD and 40 typically developing controls. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while the VDR region containing rs731236 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed using bidirectional Sanger sequencing. Sequencing additionally identified rs11574113, rs7975232, and the rare missense variant rs1338135647 (p.Gly375Asp). Children with ASD had lower serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations than controls (median, 46.13 vs 69.27 ng/mL; p = 0.027), and the difference remained significant after adjustment for age and sex (adjusted median difference, -24.86 ng/mL; 95% confidence interval [CI], -42.42 to -7.30; p = 0.007). The rs1338135647 AG genotype was more frequent in children with ASD than in controls (22.5% vs 2.5%) and remained associated with ASD after adjustment for age and sex using Firth penalized logistic regression (odds ratio, 6.44; 95% CI, 1.21-67.64; p = 0.028). No significant associations were observed for the other VDR variants. Lower vitamin D levels and the rare rs1338135647 variant may independently co-occur with ASD in Indonesian children; however, these hypothesis-generating findings require replication and functional validation in larger independent cohorts.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

14. Sathyan S. Critical gaps in visual rehabilitation of children with autism spectrum disorders in the Indian context. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2026; 74(8): 1105-6.

This article discusses the gaps in care delivery in the visual rehabilitation of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in India. It touches upon the challenges in addressing the visual needs of this group of children with special needs including the systematic failure in the conception of vision related care, deficits in infrastructure, relatively less opportunities for training of personnel, poor integration with allied specialities involved in the rehabilitation, paucity of dedicated research as well as the socio-economic factors that prevent timely detection and visual rehabilitation of children with ASD. To address these issues, the article proposes a multi-pronged strategy consisting of policy level inclusion of early visual assessment, improvement of infrastructure and training facilities, integrating vision care to the broader rehabilitative framework, enhancing community level awareness and encouraging cost-effective indigenous innovations, which can significantly reduce the burden of preventable visual impairment in children with ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

15. Schnitzler T, Perla R, Korn CW. Whole-body synchronization in autistic adults. Front Hum Neurosci. 2026; 20: 1866968.

INTRODUCTION: A characteristic feature of autistic individuals is deviations in nonverbal behavior during social interactions, evident in altered synchronization. In non-autistic individuals, increased synchronization adversely affects the capacity for emotional self-regulation. Yet, synchronization in autistic individuals has primarily been examined in conversational contexts. METHODS: In this study, 33 autistic and 33 non-autistic adults performed a dyadic movement task. Participants were asked to « have a conversation without words » using only improvised movements. Using an inertial sensor-based motion capture system, we investigated interpersonal synchronization. RESULTS: Our findings indicated greater synchronization in autistic dyads than in non-autistic dyads. Mixed dyads did not differ from either autistic or non-autistic dyad. Across all three dyad types, the task was not associated with reliable observed changes in emotional self-regulation, positive affect, or negative affect, and baseline-adjusted post-task outcomes were not reliably associated with interpersonal synchronization. However, it is important to note our small sample size, which limits the robustness and generalizability of the results. DISCUSSION: We discuss our findings in relation to the task demands. Whole-body synchronization played a crucial role in our study, unlike in previous studies of conversational settings. Consequently, our task relied less on language, familiarity with social interaction tasks, and eye contact, all of which are aspects that autistic individuals often find challenging. Our findings contribute to the ongoing debate on interpersonal synchronization in autism spectrum condition by extending previous studies on conversational contexts to whole-body movement. The data can be combined with future datasets to create larger samples and provide a more nuanced understanding about synchronization in autism spectrum condition.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

16. Seczon DL, Woodard KM, Kolodny T, Rea HM, Pettet M, Webb SJ, Murray SO. Visual Responsivity in Autism: Measuring Visual Responses in Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults Using Psychophysics, fMRI, and EEG. Autism Res. 2026: e70335.

Autistic individuals frequently report heightened sensitivity to visual stimuli, often described as discomfort in environments with bright or flickering lights. These experiences are hypothesized to reflect underlying differences in sensory gain or neural hyperexcitability; however, findings across studies have yielded mixed results, likely due to methodological variability. This study aimed to evaluate whether group differences in contrast-dependent neural and behavioral responses to a visual stimulus would be observed across complementary methods: psychophysics, fMRI, and EEG. Thirty-one autistic and twenty-seven non-autistic adults completed experimental sessions in which they passively viewed bilaterally presented 6 Hz counterphase flickering checkerboards at high (100%) and low (2%) contrast. Neural responses were measured using the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal from fMRI and steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) from EEG. Contrast robustly modulated responses across experiments, eliciting higher neural responses; however, no group differences emerged in BOLD or behavioral thresholds. The only significant group difference was observed in SSVEP amplitudes, with autistic individuals showing significantly higher neural entrainment to the flickering stimulus than their non-autistic counterparts. Moreover, SSVEP amplitudes were associated with BOLD responses to the same low contrast visual stimulus, suggesting convergence between frequency-locked EEG responses and hemodynamic activity. SSVEP amplitudes were additionally associated with self-reported measures of hypersensitivity, linking heightened neural entrainment to individual differences in sensory experiences. They also showed a differential relationship with perceptual thresholds across groups. These findings show that differences between autistic and non-autistic participants were more evident in frequency-locked neural responses to periodic visual input, as measured by SSVEPs, and that these responses were meaningfully related to visual cortical BOLD activity and sensory hypersensitivity.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

17. Trisha AD, Imran MA, Hafsa JM, Chandra Mohanto N. Association Between Heavy Metal Exposure and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Discrepancies, Research Gaps, and Future Priorities of Human Epidemiological Studies. Geohealth. 2026; 10(8): e2026GH001955.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children is a major public health challenge. The potential epidemiological links between heavy metal exposure and ASD remains a controversial issue. This critical review examines the epidemiological discrepancies, including variations in exposure assessment, study design, and population differences that contribute to the ongoing debate. Key research gaps, such as the need for longitudinal studies and mechanistic insights, are addressed. Finally, we outline future priorities to advance understanding of heavy metals’ role in ASD. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) were selected heavy metals. The PubMed and Scopus databases, as well as the Google Scholar search engine, were searched to retrieve original research articles on human epidemiological studies that utilized the selected « exposure keywords » in conjunction with the « outcome keywords. » Finally, 36 full-length articles, irrespective of age, sex, regions, and race/ethnicity, were included for the present review. We revealed inconsistent associations between prenatal and childhood urinary, blood, and hair, As and Cd exposure, and ASD outcomes. In contrast, elevated prenatal and early childhood Pb and Hg concentrations in blood and hair samples showed a significant consistent association with both increased ASD risk and symptom severity, even after adjustment for key demographic and environmental confounders. The findings are inconsistent across metals and studies, and should be interpreted with caution due to potential residual confounding and heterogeneity in exposure assessment methods. Large prospective cohort studies are needed to clarify causal relationships. The path analysis of relevant biomarkers is also warranted to establish biological mechanism. This review examined whether exposure to lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic is linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by analyzing 36 human studies. The findings were metal‐specific. For arsenic and cadmium, most studies found no clear association. Mercury results were highly variable: about half reported positive links, while others found none or inverse relationships. Lead showed the most consistent signal, with 60% of studies linking higher levels to increased ASD risk or severity, although many well‐conducted studies found no association. Overall, the evidence does not support a blanket conclusion that heavy metals cause ASD. Rather, lead and mercury may contribute to ASD risk in certain populations or under specific exposure conditions, but these findings require cautious interpretation due to methodological differences and potential biases. Long‐term prospective mother‐child cohort studies with significant participants are needed to clarify whether these metals truly play a causal role. eng.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

18. Westerberg B, Bejerot S, Langius-Eklöf A, Holländare F. Sense of Coherence and the Relation to Autistic Traits in Autistic Adults. Autism. 2026: 13623613261469916.

Sense of coherence reflects the ability to comprehend and interpret one’s environment as coherent and to experience life as manageable and meaningful. Sense of coherence is predictive of quality of life in several populations, but this relation has not been investigated among autistic individuals. Even though autistic individuals often describe difficulties perceiving the world in a coherent way, the sense of coherence concept is relatively unexplored in autism. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between autistic traits, sense of coherence and quality of life in autistic individuals in Sweden. A total of 81 adults with autism completed questionnaires covering their sense of coherence, quality of life and autistic traits. The results showed that sense of coherence predicted quality of life and that autistic traits predicted sense of coherence levels in our sample. Based on the results, we suggest that sense of coherence may be important for the understanding of autistic functioning and that sense of coherence is essential for quality of life in this group. The study contributes to the understanding of autistic functioning and adds useful knowledge for the development of appropriate interventions for autistic individuals. Interventions that address aspects aimed at increasing the individual’s sense of coherence may therefore be warranted.Lay AbstractSense of coherence reflects a person’s sense that their environment is understandable, that they can manage life’s challenges and that they judge it to be meaningful. In many populations, a strong sense of coherence is linked to a higher quality of life, but this relation has not been studied among autistic individuals. Even though autistic individuals often describe difficulties perceiving the world in a coherent way, the concept of sense of coherence is relatively unexplored among individuals with autism. This study explored the links between autistic traits, sense of coherence and quality of life in 81 autistic adults in Sweden who completed a series of questionnaires. We found that sense of coherence was a strong predictor of quality of life. We also discovered that having more autistic traits was linked to a weak sense of coherence. Based on our results, we suggest that sense of coherence may be important to understand autistic functioning. We also conclude that sense of coherence is important for quality of life in this group. This suggests that interventions designed to help individuals see their world as more coherent and manageable could be a valuable way to improve their quality of life.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)