scholarly journals The Relationship between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Melatonin during Fetal Development

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunho Jin ◽  
Jeonghyun Choi ◽  
Jinyoung Won ◽  
Yonggeun Hong
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Diagnostic Category ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Autistic Symptoms ◽  
Normal Sleep

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to the diverse range of neurodevelopmental disorders accompanying impairments in social interaction, difficulties in communication, and stereotyped or repetitive behaviors. Unlike the older term, autism, the newer term, ASD, better reflects the broad range of autistic symptoms and denotes a single diagnostic category of autism accompanied by numerous conditions. The pineal hormone melatonin is a well-known neuroprotectant and circadian entrainer. This hormone crosses the placenta and enters the fetal circulation, then conveys photoperiodic information to the fetus during pregnancy. These actions enable normal sleep patterns and circadian rhythms, followed by normal neurodevelopment. Melatonin also reduces oxidative stress, which is harmful to the central nervous system. Therefore, melatonin acts as a neuroprotectant and circadian entrainer, and may reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD.

scholarly journals Main Needs and Challenges of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

PRILOZI ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
Tatjana Zorcec ◽  
Nada Pop-Jordanova
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Service Encounters ◽  
Restricted Interests ◽  
School Work ◽  
Heavy Burden ◽  
Adults With Asd

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a group of complex lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized with symptoms related to the difficulty of communication and interaction with other people, as well as restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. These symptoms affects the person’s ability to function properly in school, work, and other areas of life.For better understanding the needs and challenges of families the survey developed by Autism Speaks in collaboration with the National Coordinators for Autism from nine Balkan countries was established. The aim of this research is to obtain an overview of some important data for children with some form of autistic disorder.The same questionnaire was used in two different periods of time (during 2015 and at the beginning of 2020) including samples of 60 and 140 parents respectively.The questionnaire comprises 57 questions in the following four domains: demographic characteristics, index child characteristics, service encounters and parent/caregiver perceptions. Results are compared and discussed.The survey results underscore that parents and families of children with ASD in our country carry a heavy burden. They face significant financial difficulties and need improved services from the health, educational and social sectors.It was concluded that there is a critical need to strengthen national capacity in caring for children, young people and adults with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

scholarly journals GCT-37. PREVALENCE OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND OTHER NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH INTRACRANIAL GERM CELL TUMORS

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii335-iii335
Author(s):  
Kevin X Liu ◽  
Roshan V Sethi ◽  
Margaret B Pulsifer ◽  
Alissa M D’Gama ◽  
Beverly Lavally ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Chromosomal Abnormalities ◽  
Massachusetts General Hospital ◽  
Germ Cell Tumors ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Abstract PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(s) Intracranial germ cell tumors (IGCTs) are rare tumors of the central nervous system with peak incidence around puberty. Due to the developmental origins of IGCTs, we investigated the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in our retrospective institutional cohort of patients diagnosed with IGCTs. MATERIALS/METHODS A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for 105 patients who were diagnosed with IGCTs and treated at Massachusetts General Hospital between 1998 and 2016. All patients with ASD had thorough neuropsychological assessment at the time of radiotherapy that confirmed their diagnoses. RESULTS Median age at diagnosis was 12.8 years (range: 4.3–21.6) and median follow-up time was 4.7 years (range: 0.4–15.8). Seventeen patients with IGCTs were diagnosed with NDDs prior to cancer diagnoses, including five patients with ASD, and three patients with chromosomal abnormalities, including one patient with Down syndrome. Interestingly, four of five patients with ASD developed pure germinomas, giving an ASD prevalence rate of 6.5% and 2.3% in the pure germinoma and NGGCT cohorts, respectively. All other patients had no known diagnoses of NDDs. CONCLUSIONS Our study found 17 patients with IGCTs were diagnosed with NDDs prior to their cancer diagnoses. An ASD prevalence of 6.5% in the pure germinoma cohort is more than three-fold greater than the national prevalence, suggesting there may be an association between ASD and pure germinomas. Future prospective studies with larger cohorts are still needed to examine associations between NDDs and ASD and IGCTs.

scholarly journals Abnormalities of synaptic mitochondria in autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental disorders

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana Rojas-Charry ◽  
Leonardo Nardi ◽  
Axel Methner ◽  
Michael J. Schmeisser
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Digeorge Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Pathogenic Factors ◽  
Mitochondrial Functions

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition primarily characterized by an impairment of social interaction combined with the occurrence of repetitive behaviors. ASD starts in childhood and prevails across the lifespan. The variability of its clinical presentation renders early diagnosis difficult. Mutations in synaptic genes and alterations of mitochondrial functions are considered important underlying pathogenic factors, but it is obvious that we are far from a comprehensive understanding of ASD pathophysiology. At the synapse, mitochondria perform diverse functions, which are clearly not limited to their classical role as energy providers. Here, we review the current knowledge about mitochondria at the synapse and summarize the mitochondrial disturbances found in mouse models of ASD and other ASD-related neurodevelopmental disorders, like DiGeorge syndrome, Rett syndrome, Tuberous sclerosis complex, and Down syndrome.

scholarly journals The Alert Collector: Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Guide to the Latest Resources

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Michele Frasier-Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
The United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Dsm 5

Since the early 1990s there has been a steady escalation in the numbers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—today it is considered the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States. In 2010, it was estimated that 1 in 68 children were affected by autism spectrum disorder. This is an increase of approximately 120 percent from the data collected ten years earlier. Identifying it as one of six neurodevelopmental disorders, the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) describes autism spectrum disorder as “a series of developmental disabilities characterized by impaired social communication and interaction skills, accompanied by the existence of repetitive behaviors or activities, such as rocking movements, hand clapping or obsessively arranging personal belongings.”

Seizures and EEG Findings in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

CNS Spectrums ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Tuchman ◽  
Prasanna Jayakar ◽  
Ilker Yaylali ◽  
Rafael Villalobos
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Nonverbal Communication ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Central Nervous System Dysfunction ◽  
Eeg Abnormalities ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Symptom Complex

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurobiological developmental symptom complex characterized by early onset of deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication skills, socio-communicative function, and repetitive behaviors. The well-documented increased frequency of seizures and abnormal electroencephalographic (EEG) findings in ASD support the concept that the central nervous system dysfunction has a neurobiological basis. We review the prevalence of seizures and EEG abnormalities in children with ASD and explore the possible clinical significance of this correlation.

Instruction Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication Supports: Description of Current Practices by Speech-Language Pathologists Who Work With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 586-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn A. Clarke ◽  
Diane L. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Diagnostic Category ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Processing Differences

Purpose The aim of this research study was to examine common practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with respect to whether or not SLPs consider processing differences in ASD or the effects of input during their instruction. Method Following a qualitative research method, how SLPs instruct and present augmentative and alternative communication systems to individuals with ASD, their rationale for method selection, and their perception of the efficacy of selected interventions were probed. Semistructured interviews were conducted as part of an in-depth case report with content analysis. Results Based on completed interviews, 4 primary themes were identified: (a) instructional method , (b) input provided , (c) decision-making process , and (d) perceived efficacy of treatment . Additionally, one secondary theme, training and education received , was identified . Conclusions Clinicians reported making decisions based on the needs of the child; however, they also reported making decisions based on the diagnostic category that characterized the child (i.e., ASD). The use of modeling when teaching augmentative and alternative communication to individuals with ASD emerged as a theme, but variations in the method of modeling were noted. SLPs did not report regularly considering processing differences in ASD, nor did they consider the effects of input during instruction.

Emotion Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2018 ◽  
pp. 282-298
Author(s):  
Emily Neuhaus
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by deficits in social communication and interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. Although current diagnostic conceptualizations of ASD do not include emotional difficulties as core deficits, the disorder is associated with emotion dysregulation across the lifespan, with considerable implications for long-term psychological, social, and educational outcomes. The overarching goal of this chapter is to integrate existing knowledge of emotion dysregulation in ASD and identify areas for further investigation. The chapter reviews the prevalence and expressions of emotion dysregulation in ASD, discusses emerging theoretical models that frame emotion dysregulation as an inherent (rather than associated) feature of ASD, presents neurobiological findings and mechanisms related to emotion dysregulation in ASD, and identifies continuing controversies and resulting research priorities.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on the Adaptive Functioning, Behavioral Problems, and Repetitive Behaviors of Italian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Observational Study

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Martina Siracusano ◽  
Eugenia Segatori ◽  
Assia Riccioni ◽  
Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti ◽  
Paolo Curatolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Skills ◽  
The Impact

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families have represented a fragile population on which the extreme circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak may have doubly impaired. Interruption of therapeutical interventions delivered in-person and routine disruption constituted some of the main challenges they had to face. This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on adaptive functioning, behavioral problems, and repetitive behaviors of children with ASD. In a sample of 85 Italian ASD children (mean age 7 years old; 68 males, 17 females), through a comparison with a baseline evaluation performed during the months preceding COVID-19, we evaluated whether after the compulsory home confinement any improvement or worsening was reported by parents of ASD individuals using standardized instruments (Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (Second Edition), Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised). No significant worsening in the adaptive functioning, problematic, and repetitive behaviors emerged after the compulsory home confinement. Within the schooler children, clinical stability was found in reference to both adaptive skills and behavioral aspects, whereas within preschoolers, a significant improvement in adaptive skills emerged and was related to the subsistence of web-delivered intervention, parental work continuance, and online support during the lockdown.

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