Is ASMT a susceptibility gene for autism spectrum disorders? A replication study in European populations

There are concerns that females with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may be underidentified because of factors such as better camouflaging and poorer recognition of the signs of ASD in females. One stage at which females may be underidentified is during screening. In this study, we, therefore, evaluated whether the autism spectrum quotient (AQ-10), a brief recommended screening instrument for ASD in adults suspected of having ASD, showed any evidence of underestimating symptoms in females. Our results broadly replicate those of an earlier study in finding no strong evidence that the AQ-10 is biased against females. However, to achieve better performance in females, we suggest that one item be replaced with an item measuring more “female” manifestations of ASD.

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Semaphorin 5A inhibits synaptogenesis in early postnatal- and adult-born hippocampal dentate granule cells

eLife ◽

10.7554/elife.04390 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Yuntao Duan ◽

Shih-Hsiu Wang ◽

Juan Song ◽

Yevgeniya Mironova ◽

Guo-li Ming ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Dendritic Spine ◽

Granule Cells ◽

Susceptibility Gene ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spine Density ◽

Dentate Granule Cells ◽

Dendritic Spine Density ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Semaphorin 5A

Human SEMAPHORIN 5A (SEMA5A) is an autism susceptibility gene; however, its function in brain development is unknown. In this study, we show that mouse Sema5A negatively regulates synaptogenesis in early, developmentally born, hippocampal dentate granule cells (GCs). Sema5A is strongly expressed by GCs and regulates dendritic spine density in a cell-autonomous manner. In the adult mouse brain, newly born Sema5A−/− GCs show an increase in dendritic spine density and increased AMPA-type synaptic responses. Sema5A signals through PlexinA2 co-expressed by GCs, and the PlexinA2-RasGAP activity is necessary to suppress spinogenesis. Like Sema5A−/− mutants, PlexinA2−/− mice show an increase in GC glutamatergic synapses, and we show that Sema5A and PlexinA2 genetically interact with respect to GC spine phenotypes. Sema5A−/− mice display deficits in social interaction, a hallmark of autism-spectrum-disorders. These experiments identify novel intra-dendritic Sema5A/PlexinA2 interactions that inhibit excitatory synapse formation in developmentally born and adult-born GCs, and they provide support for SEMA5A contributions to autism-spectrum-disorders.

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Treatment Services for Individuals Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorders in Quito, Ecuador

Perspectives on Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Related Disorders ◽

10.1044/gics2.1.19 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 19-26

Author(s):

Graciela Cárdenas González ◽

Mari Riojas Lester

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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Disfluency Characteristics Observed in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Report

Perspectives on Fluency and Fluency Disorders ◽

10.1044/ffd20.2.42 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 42-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Laura W. Plexico ◽

Julie E. Cleary ◽

Ashlynn McAlpine ◽

Allison M. Plumb

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Young Children ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Children With Asd ◽

Young Children With Autism ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Developmental Stuttering

This descriptive study evaluates the speech disfluencies of 8 verbal children between 3 and 5 years of age with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Speech samples were collected for each child during standardized interactions. Percentage and types of disfluencies observed during speech samples are discussed. Although they did not have a clinical diagnosis of stuttering, all of the young children with ASD in this study produced disfluencies. In addition to stuttering-like disfluencies and other typical disfluencies, the children with ASD also produced atypical disfluencies, which usually are not observed in children with typically developing speech or developmental stuttering. (Yairi & Ambrose, 2005).

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Autism Spectrum Disorders and Augmentative and Alternative Communication: From Research to Practice

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication ◽

10.1044/aac16.2.3 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 3-8

Author(s):

Joanne M. Cafiero ◽

Marsha Acheson ◽

Joseph E. Zins

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Research To Practice ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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Aging and Autism

Perspectives on Gerontology ◽

10.1044/gero17.2.69 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 69-75 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pamela A. Smith

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Patient Group ◽

Older Patients ◽

Geriatric Patients ◽

Recent Literature ◽

Communication Disorders ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Need For Support ◽

Spectrum Disorders

In this article, I will review the available recent literature about the aging population with autism, a patient group that researchers know little about and a group that is experiencing a growing need for support from communication disorders professionals. Speech-language pathologists working with geriatric patients should become familiar with this issue, as the numbers of older patients with autism spectrum disorders is likely to increase. Our profession and our health care system must prepare to meet the challenge these patients and residents will present as they age.

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