Autism Spectrum Disorders News

An electroencephalogram, or EEG — a low-cost, easy-to-use tool to measure brain electrical activity — may be able to predict future development of autism spectrum disorder in children as early as 3 months of age, according to a study published in Scientific Reports.

Structural and functional circuit deficits in the mesolimbic reward pathway contributed to measures of social interaction impairments in children with autism, study findings showed.

The prevalence of autism in children continues to rise, with CDC data suggesting it affects 1 in 68 children several years ago vs. more recent data suggesting it now affects 1 in 59.

Children with autism and autistic traits had higher depressive symptom scores than children without at age 10 years, and the scores remained elevated until age 18 years, longitudinal study findings revealed.

Food allergies were the most common of allergic conditions found in children with autism, according to findings recently published in JAMA Network Open.

Exposure to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was associated with a small, but statistically significant, rise in offspring’s risk for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder and ADHD, according to meta-analysis data.

The FDA recently granted fast track designation status to the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor known as L1-79, a potential treatment for autism, according to a press release from Yamo Pharmaceuticals, the drug’s manufacturer.

Children who screen negative for autism spectrum disorder at standard 18-month screening but later receive a diagnosis of the condition later in life have atypical phenotypes concerning social interaction and motor skills at the time of screening, such as girls with autism spectrum disorder being less shy than their peers, according to findings published in Pediatrics.

CDC recently encouraged all primary care physicians to follow guidelines of the AAP to screen children aged 3 years and younger for developmental disabilities. The recommendation comes in the wake of a recent report that showed the prevalence of autism increased to 1 in 59 children in 2014, up from 1 in 68 in a previous reporting period.

Contrary to popular belief, research findings showed that children with autism spectrum disorders have the ability to create and play with imaginary friends.