ASD, SUD and gender

IntroductionAutism and substance use disorder (SUD) is not the co-morbidity that is commonly considered. Yet these conditions have more commonalities than one would suspect.ObjectiveWe will consider the evidence for co-morbidity between ASD and Addiction (Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and explore the influence of gender.MethodA pilot study of 80 admissions to an adult ASD unit will be presented.ResultsThe co-morbidity ASD and SUD in this study was very high (65% of the inpatients). There were no gender differences in prevalence in total but addiction to medication (32% in woman vs. none in man) and eating disorders (24% in women vs. 9% in man) was far more common in women whereas addiction to drugs (13% in man vs. none in women) was far more common in man.ConclusionsThere are clear indications that a possible co-morbidity of substance abuse disorder should be considered in cases of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. There are no gender differences in prevalence of co-morbidity ASD and SUD in total but addiction to medication and eating disorders seems to be much more common in women whereas addiction to drugs probably more common in man.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

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GEOGRAPHIC AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS AMONG CHILDREN: ANALYSIS OF THE DATA FROM THE NATIONAL REGISTRY IN TAIWAN

ISEE Conference Abstracts ◽

10.1289/isee.2011.00160 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yen-Cheng Tseng ◽

De-Chung Lai ◽

Yuh-Ming Hou ◽

How-Ran Guo

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

National Registry ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

And Gender

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The presence of a subthreshold autism spectrum is associated with greater prevalence of mental disorders in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.340 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S355-S355

Author(s):

C.C.C. Gesi ◽

A. Lagomarsini ◽

F.M. Barberi ◽

A. Guzzetta ◽

S. Calderone ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorders ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Children With Asd ◽

The Social ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Levels Of Functioning

IntroductionAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly heritable and first degree relatives (especially fathers) of autistic probands have been shown to often manifest a set of subthreshold autistic features. It is not known, however, the clinical significance of this subthreshold autism spectrum.Objectives– to evaluate the prevalence of a subthreshold autism spectrum respectively in fathers and mothers of children with ASD;– to describe clinical correlates of parents with and without a subthreshold autism spectrum respectively.Methods36 fathers and 39 mothers of preschoolers with ASD were administered the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ), the adult autism subthreshold spectrum (AdAS spectrum), the trauma and loss spectrum (TALS), the SCID-5 and the social and occupational functioning assessment scale (SOFAS).ResultsFathers and mothers did not differ for both AQ and AdAS spectrum total and subscale scores. Overall, 13 parents (17.3%) scored higher than 45 on the AdAS spectrum, as indicative of the presence of a subthreshold autism spectrum. This group showed greater prevalence of mood, anxiety and feeding/eating disorders, greater utilization of antidepressants and higher scores on the TALS and the SOFAS than the group scoring lower than 45 (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsFathers and mothers of children with ASD show autistic traits in equal measure. The presence of a subthreshold autism spectrum is associated to greater prevalence of mood, anxiety and feeding/eating disorders, to greater susceptibility to traumatic events and to lower levels of functioning.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Autism and substance use comorbidity: Screening, identification and treatment

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.829 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S21-S22

Author(s):

P.J.M. van Wijngaarden-Cremers

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Developmental Disorders ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Literature Study ◽

Addiction Psychiatry ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Competing Interest ◽

The Moment ◽

Dopaminergic Regulation

ObjectiveAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are well-known for high prevalences of comorbid conditions especially anxiety, obsessions, depression, challenging behaviours.In this presentation, we will consider the evidence for comorbidity between ASD and addiction [substance use disorders (SUD)] and explore the possible underlying explanations.MethodsA literature study on similarities between addiction and ASD (at a phenotypical and neurobiological level) as well as a case note review on a year cohort of 120 consecutive admissions in an adult addiction psychiatry unit and 120 admissions in an adult ASD unit.ResultsIn our addiction psychiatry cohort, 8 (men) on 118 patients were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This is much higher than in the general population (1%). In the ASD cohort, the results are measured at the moment and the results will be presented in the presentation.Autism spectrum disorders and addiction can both be perceived as developmental disorders in which a genetic predisposition and vulnerability interact with environmental factors. They can be induced by early stress thus affecting the proper functioning of the cortico-striatal dopaminergic regulation systems (and also the HPA axis). In “pure” ADHD this is attributed to a deregulation in the cognitive loops and the “impulsivity” endophenotype. Whereas in cases of ASD without an ADHD component the limbic and sensimotore cortico-striatal regulations loops are also involved.ConclusionsThere are clear indications that a possible comorbidity of substance abuse disorder should be considered in cases of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. This finding is important for clinicians to take into account in assessing patients with addiction problems and ASD.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

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Race/Ethnicity and Gender Differences in Substance Use: A Closer Look at Emergency Room Visits

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e550082014-001 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Irving Arevalo ◽

Sharon Bahr ◽

Gerilyn Worthy ◽

Dominicus So

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Substance Use ◽

Emergency Room ◽

Emergency Room Visits ◽

Race Ethnicity ◽

And Gender ◽

Ethnicity And Gender

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Handedness in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.2189 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S214-S214 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

L. Kobylinska ◽

C.G. Anghel ◽

I. Mihailescu ◽

F. Rad ◽

I. Dobrescu

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Training Programs ◽

Hand Preference ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Left Handedness ◽

Children With Asd ◽

Hand Laterality ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Competing Interest

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have a less definitive hand preference for certain actions as opposed to neurotypical children. Moreover, left-handedness in children with ASD has been associated with more echolalia. The objective was to conduct a screening of potential risk and associated features for autism spectrum disorders, among which the hand preference of the child. The current aim is to compare the perceived handedness of children with autism spectrum disorders with that of children with other psychiatric pathologies.MethodsEight hundred and forty-two parents completed our risk and associated features screening questionnaire. Out of these, 494 answered the question regarding handedness (209 had children diagnosed with ASD). This asked the parents to state how they perceived their child's handedness. An ADOS assessment has been conducted for 170 of the children whose parents were included in the study, based on clinical relevance for the case. The data were analysed using Excel and SPSS 22.0. For the comparisons, Chi2 and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used.ResultsChildren with ASD had more left-handedness (χ2(2) = 12.54, P = 0.002). There were no differences between boys and girls in terms of perceived handedness in any of the groups. There were no differences in the ADOS scores according to the perceived hand laterality (χ2(2) = 0.58, P = 0.74).ConclusionRightward-asymmetry in regions of corpus callosum has been reported to correlate with symptoms severity in ASD. The finding of different perceived handedness in children with ASD versus children with other psychiatric pathologies is useful for designing appropriate, individualized training programs for motor therapy.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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"The Extreme Male Brain?" Incrementum and the Rhetorical Gendering of Autism

Disability Studies Quarterly ◽

10.18061/dsq.v31i3.1672 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jordynn Jack

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum ◽

Service Economy ◽

Cultural Resources ◽

Sex And Gender ◽

Autistic People ◽

Extreme Male Brain ◽

Brain Theory ◽

Women And Girls ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

And Gender

The rhetorical figure of the incrementum, or scale, can help to account for how autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been gendered as male, especially in Simon Baron-Cohen’s "Extreme Male Brain" theory. The incrementum occurs when female, male, and autistic brains are placed along a scale according to systemizing and empathizing abilities. This double hierarchy reinforces popular beliefs about sex and gender, drawing on the cultural resources of hi-tech culture, the service economy, and geekiness. In so doing, these theories overlook other important aspects of ASD, including alternative theories, the presence of autistic women and girls, and the needs and interests of autistic people themselves.

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Sexual Identity and Gender Differences in Substance Use and Violence: An Exploratory Study

Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling ◽

10.1080/15538600802119301 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 174-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Amy L. Hequembourg ◽

Kathleen A. Parks ◽

Charlene Vetter

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Substance Use ◽

Sexual Identity ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

And Gender

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Clinical case: Phelan–McDermid and pharmacological management

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.410 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S430-S430 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Ballesteros ◽

Á.S. Rosero ◽

F. Inchausti ◽

E. Manrique ◽

H. Sáiz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Stop Codon ◽

Premature Stop Codon ◽

Mood Stabilizer ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Pharmacological Management ◽

Inhibitory Transmission ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Competing Interest

IntroductionThe Phelan–McDermid syndrome is a chromosomal disorder consisting of a selection on chromosome 22q13.3 associated psychiatric and emotional level, behavioral and traits of autism spectrum disorders. During the neurodevelopmental such chromosomal deletion, which associated with haplo insufficiency Shank 3 causes alterations in the synaptogenesis altering the balance of activating and inhibitory transmission. Throughout the various studies, it is considered that this syndrome has a psychiatric disorder bipolar like.Case presentationHere, we present s 13-year-old female diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders in childhood and presented regression with catatonia features and behavioral disorders. Interestingly, she presented mutation/microdeletion of the SHANK3 gene, inducing a premature stop codon in exon 21. Different pharmacological treatments (antipsychotics at high doses and benzodiazepines) failed to improve clinical symptoms and lead to multiple adverse events. In contrast, lithium therapy reversed clinical regression, stabilized behavioral symptoms and allowed patients to recover their pre-catatonia level of functioning. After the first menstruation there was a cycling psychiatric worsening with a similar clinical pattern so risperidone as adjunctive therapy. As a result of this, this patient recovered clinical and socio-functional stability.ConclusionsThey are previous cases where there affective and behavioral improvement after use of mood stabilizer molecules such as valproate or lithium. There is also evidence of the benefit of risperidone low to have a beneficial effect on the balance of activatory and inhibitory transmission level doses of NMDA receptors.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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