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Infant Behavior & Development Jun 2024Autism Spectrum Disorder is a highly heritable condition characterized by sociocommunicative difficulties, frequently entailing language atypicalities that extend to...
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a highly heritable condition characterized by sociocommunicative difficulties, frequently entailing language atypicalities that extend to infants with a familial history of autism. The developmental mechanisms underlying these difficulties remain unknown. Detecting temporal synchrony between the lip movements and the auditory speech of a talking face and selectively attending to the mouth support typical early language acquisition. This preliminary eye-tracking study investigated whether these two fundamental mechanisms atypically function in infant siblings. We longitudinally tracked the trajectories of infants at elevated and low-likelihood for autism in these two abilities at 4, 8, and 12 months (n = 29). We presented two talking faces (synchronous and asynchronous) while recording infants' gaze to the talker's eyes and mouth. We found that infants detected temporal asynchronies in talking faces at 12 months regardless of group. However, compared to their typically developing peers, infants with an elevated likelihood of autism showed reduced attention to the mouth at the end of the first year and no variations in their interest to this area across time. Our findings provide preliminary evidence on a potentially atypical trajectory of reduced mouth-looking in audiovisual speech during the first year in infant siblings, with potential cascading consequences for language development, thus contributing to domain-general accounts of emerging autism.
PubMed: 38941721
DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2024.101973 -
Research in Developmental Disabilities Jun 2024Virtual Reality (VR) based diagnostic and therapeutic interventions have opened up new possibilities for addressing the challenges in identifying and treating... (Review)
Review
Effect of immersive virtual reality-based training on cognitive, social, and emotional skills in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
Virtual Reality (VR) based diagnostic and therapeutic interventions have opened up new possibilities for addressing the challenges in identifying and treating individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
AIM
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials to investigate the impact of Immersive VR techniques on the cognitive, social, and emotional skills of under-18 children and adolescents with ASD.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES
Four databases were systematically searched as per "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses" guidelines and assessed six RCTs for further analysis. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies.
OUTCOMES
Pooled results favoured VR and reported significant differences between experimental and control groups concerning social skills (SMD:1.43; 95 % CI: 0.01-2.84; P: 0.05), emotional skills (SMD: 2.45; 95 % CI: 0.21-4.18; P: 0.03) and cognitive skills.
CONCLUSION
VR offers an array of benefits that make it a promising tool for children and adolescents with ASD to improve their cognitive, social and emotional skills in a safe and supportive setting. However, accessibility, affordability, customization, and cost are also significant aspects to consider when developing and implementing VR-based interventions for ASD.
PubMed: 38941690
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104771 -
Journal of Autism and Developmental... Jun 2024Racial differences in prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have shifted in the United States (US) since the 1990s. This review addresses the nature and...
PURPOSE
Racial differences in prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have shifted in the United States (US) since the 1990s. This review addresses the nature and context of this shift and discusses potential contributing factors and areas for future research.
METHODS
Seventeen population-based epidemiological birth cohort studies on ASD prevalence in the US that included race as a variable are included in the review. Studies were identified via a keyword search on PubMed. To be included, studies were required to include race or ethnicity as a variable in the prevalence estimates, include at least 1000 cases with autism, and be published in English by June 3rd, 2023.
RESULTS
Results suggest that in nearly all birth cohorts prior to 2010, ASD prevalence rates were highest among White children. ASD prevalence rates among Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander (API) children (22.3, 22.5, and 22.2 per 1000, respectively) surpassed prevalence rates among White children (21.2 per 1000) in the 2010 birth cohort and continued to increase in the 2012 birth cohorts.
CONCLUSIONS
There are persistent racial differences in ASD prevalence in the US, and these differences were inverted after 2010, when ASD prevalence among Black, Hispanic, & API children surpassed ASD prevalence among White children. Possible drivers of this racial repatterning of ASD prevalence include changes in ASD screening and diagnosis, changes to health insurance policy, changes to immigration policy, and increased education attainment by minority groups.
PubMed: 38941049
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06403-5 -
Journal of Autism and Developmental... Jun 2024Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience challenges with facial emotion recognition (FER), which may exacerbate social difficulties in ASD. Few...
PURPOSE
Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience challenges with facial emotion recognition (FER), which may exacerbate social difficulties in ASD. Few studies have examined whether FER can be experimentally manipulated and improved for autistic people. This study utilized a randomized controlled trial design to examine acceptability and preliminary clinical impact of a novel mixed reality-based neurofeedback program, FER Assistant, using EEG brain computer interface (BCI)-assisted technology to improve FER for autistic adolescents and adults.
METHODS
Twenty-seven autistic male participants (M age: 21.12 years; M IQ: 105.78; 85% white) were randomized to the active condition to receive FER Assistant (n = 17) or waitlist control (n = 10). FER Assistant participants received ten sessions utilizing BCI-assisted neurofeedback training in FER. All participants, regardless of randomization, completed a computerized FER task at baseline and endpoint.
RESULTS
Results partially indicated that FER Assistant was acceptable to participants. Regression analyses demonstrated that participation in FER Assistant led to group differences in FER at endpoint, compared to a waitlist control. However, analyses examining reliable change in FER indicated no reliable improvement or decline for FER Assistant participants, whereas two waitlist participants demonstrated reliable decline.
CONCLUSION
Given the preliminary nature of this work, results collectively suggest that FER Assistant may be an acceptable intervention. Results also suggest that FER may be a potential mechanism that is amenable to intervention for autistic individuals, although additional trials using larger sample sizes are warranted.
PubMed: 38941048
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06436-w -
Annals of Agricultural and... Jun 2024The NAA10 gene encodes N-alpha-acetyltransferase 10 which plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation, DNA damage, metastasis, apoptosis, stress response and... (Review)
Review
The NAA10 gene encodes N-alpha-acetyltransferase 10 which plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation, DNA damage, metastasis, apoptosis, stress response and autophagy. Defects in the NAA10 gene correlate with the diagnosis of NAA10-related syndrome (Ogden syndrome). The most common symptoms of NAA10-related syndrome are: global developmental delay, non-verbal or limited speech, autism spectrum disorder, feeding difficulties, motor delay, muscle tone disturbances, and long QT syndrome. To-date, there are about 100 patients who have been reported with this condition. The case report presents the clinical study of a girl aged 4 years and 3 months diagnosed with Ogden syndrome. She had many characteristic features of the disorder, as well as precocious puberty. This girl represents the case of a patient with p.Arg83Cys mutation in NAA10 gene as well as precocious puberty.
Topics: Humans; Female; Puberty, Precocious; N-Terminal Acetyltransferase A; N-Terminal Acetyltransferase E; Child, Preschool; Mutation
PubMed: 38940118
DOI: 10.26444/aaem/171758 -
Current Developments in Nutrition Jun 2024This article explores the potential therapeutic implications of phytochemicals on the gut-brain axis (GBA), which serves as a communication network between the central... (Review)
Review
This article explores the potential therapeutic implications of phytochemicals on the gut-brain axis (GBA), which serves as a communication network between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system. Phytochemicals, which are compounds derived from plants, have been shown to interact with the gut microbiota, immune system, and neurotransmitter systems, thereby influencing brain function. Phytochemicals such as polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids have been identified as having potential therapeutic implications for various neurological disorders. The GBA plays a critical role in the development and progression of various neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut microbiota composition, has been associated with a range of neurological disorders, suggesting that modulating the gut microbiota may have potential therapeutic implications for these conditions. Although these findings are promising, further research is needed to elucidate the optimal use of phytochemicals in neurological disorder treatment, as well as their potential interactions with other medications. The literature review search was conducted using predefined search terms such as phytochemicals, gut-brain axis, neurodegenerative, and Parkinson in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library.
PubMed: 38939650
DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.103785 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024There is a reported high prevalence of anxiety in people with autism spectrum disorder. This mini review appraises existing research investigating heart rate variability... (Review)
Review
There is a reported high prevalence of anxiety in people with autism spectrum disorder. This mini review appraises existing research investigating heart rate variability biofeedback to help manage symptoms of anxiety in people with autism spectrum disorder. A thorough search of electronic databases was conducted to find relevant literature. Consultation with experts and a librarian helped develop search terms following the PICO framework. Five databases were searched, and screening was undertaken using Covidence software, with the process outlined in a PRISMA flowchart. The latest review showed positive short-term effects but there is a need for long-term follow-up. Future investigations should consider device type, training settings, and control interventions. Accurate heart rate variability assessment independent of biofeedback devices is crucial. Additional measures like cortisol assessment and user feedback are recommended for comprehensive evaluation. The findings highlight progress in the evidence base and offer insight to future directions.
PubMed: 38938467
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1409173 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1287096.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1287096.].
PubMed: 38938458
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1396556 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024The mobile health application "Stress Autism Mate" (SAM) was designed to support adults with autism in identifying and managing daily stress. SAM measures stress four...
INTRODUCTION
The mobile health application "Stress Autism Mate" (SAM) was designed to support adults with autism in identifying and managing daily stress. SAM measures stress four times daily, provides a daily and weekly stress overview, and provides personalised stress reduction advice. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of SAM over four weeks in reducing perceived stress and internalised stigma, and enhancing coping self-efficacy, quality of life, and resilience among adults with autism.
METHODS
Using an A1-B-A2 single-case experimental design, the effect of using SAM on adults with autism was assessed. The phases consisted of A1; treatment as usual (TAU), B; introducing SAM, and finally A2; follow-up with TAU and without the use of SAM. Each phase lasted four weeks, and data were collected via questionnaires before and after each phase. Linear mixed models were used for data analysis.
RESULTS
Results show significant reductions in perceived stress levels, increased coping self-efficacy, and improved perceived health and psychological well-being after using SAM. Furthermore, increased resilience, and decreased internalised stigma were reported after follow-up.
DISCUSSION
In conclusion, this study highlights SAM as a valuable tool for empowering adults with autism to reduce stress and internalised stigmaand to improve coping self-efficacy, psychological well-being, and resilience.
PubMed: 38938455
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1347947 -
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2024Although memory challenges in autistic individuals have been characterized recently, the functional connectivity of the hippocampus and ventral temporal lobe, two...
INTRODUCTION
Although memory challenges in autistic individuals have been characterized recently, the functional connectivity of the hippocampus and ventral temporal lobe, two structures important for episodic and semantic memory functions, are poorly understood in autistic individuals. Moreover, age-related differences in the functional connectivity associated with these two memory networks are unrevealed.
METHODS
The current study investigated age-related differences in intrinsic connectivity of the hippocampal and ventral temporal lobe (vTL) memory networks in well-matched ASD ( = 73; age range: 10.23-55.40 years old) and Non-ASD groups ( = 74; age range: 10.46-56.20 years old) from the open dataset ABIDE-I. Both theory-driven ROI-to-ROI approach and exploratory seed-based whole-brain approach were used.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Our findings revealed reduced connectivity in ASD compared to Non-ASD peers, as well as an age-related reduction in the connectivity of hippocampal and vTL networks with triple networks, namely, the default mode network (DMN), the central executive network (CEN), and the salience network (SN), potentially underpinning their challenges in memory, language, and social functions. However, we did not observe reliable differences in age-related effects between the ASD and Non-ASD groups. Our study underscores the importance of understanding memory network dysfunctions in ASD across the lifespan to inform educational and clinical practices.
PubMed: 38938289
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1394706