scholarly journals Investigation of the Relation Between Epithelial Barrier Function and Autism Symptom Severity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevser Nalbant ◽  
Semih Erden ◽  
Abdullah Yazar ◽  
İbrahim Kılınç
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Children With Asd

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by limitations in mutual communication and social interaction as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. A number of biological abnormalities have been reported in ASD. Therefore the possible role of biological abnormalities in etiopathogenesis arouses research interest in this area. This is a case-control design study evaluating epithelial barrier function by comparing serum concentrations of occludin and zonulin in children with ASD (n = 60) and controls (n = 30). The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was used to evaluate autistic symptom levels of all children. Serum occludin and zonulin levels were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum occludin was significantly lower in children with ASD than in control subjects. In children with ASD, a decrease in occludin level was significantly associated with the disorder symptom levels item mean score (CARS total scores). Our findings showed that children with ASD had alterations in epithelial barrier function compared to the control group. The investigation of the mechanism underlying the different levels of occludin between ASD and controls may be of importance in clarifying the etiopathogenesis of ASD, as well as its follow-up and treatment.

scholarly journals Autism Spectrum Disorder: Correlation between aberrant behaviors, EEG abnormalities and seizures

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Elena Hartley-McAndrew ◽  
Arie Weinstock
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Epileptiform Discharges ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Eeg Abnormalities ◽  
Significant Difference

The relationship between epilepsy, epileptiform discharges, cognitive, language and behavioral symptoms is not clearly understood. Since difficulties with socialization and maladaptive behaviors are found in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), we inquired whether epileptiform activity and seizures are associated with adverse behavioral manifestations in this population. We reviewed our EEG database between 1999-2006, and identified 123 children with ASD. EEG abnormalities were found in 39 children (31%). A control group of age and gender matched ASD children with normal EEG’s was obtained. Packets of questionnaires including the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale II (VABS), Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) were sent by mail. Out of 21 packets received, 11 had normal and 10 had abnormal EEG’s. There were no statistically significant differences in behavior between the two groups. Statistical analysis of discharge location and frequency did not reveal a significant trend. However, children with ASD and seizures had statistically significant lower scores in VABS daily living (P=0.009) and socialization (P=0.007) as compared to those without seizures. ASD children with seizures had higher ABC levels of hyperactivity and irritability. Differences in irritability scores nearly reached statistical significance (P=0.058). There was no significant difference in the degree of CARS autism rating between the groups. Our study did not reveal statistically significant differences in behaviors between ASD children with and without EEG abnormalities. However, ASD children with seizures revealed significantly worse behaviors as compared to counterparts without seizures.

scholarly journals Theory of Mind Deficit is Associated with Pretend Play Performance, but not Playfulness, in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping-Chen Chan ◽  
Cheng-Te Chen ◽  
Hua Feng ◽  
Ya-Chen Lee ◽  
Kuan-Lin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Pretend Play ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Asd

Objective/Background This study aimed to examine the relationships of theory of mind (ToM) to both pretend play and playfulness in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods Twenty children with ASD aged between 3 years and 7.11 years were assessed with the ToM test, and then placed in a free play condition and a pretend play condition to assess pretend play and playfulness with the Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment and Test of Playfulness, respectively. In addition, the children's symptom severities of ASD and verbal abilities were also assessed with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test—second edition, respectively. Results The results of the regression analysis confirmed that ToM significantly predicted pretend play variables, namely, Number of Object Substitutions (R2 = .158, p = .002) and Number of Imitated Actions (R2 = .175, p = .001), but not playfulness. The CARS score was a significant predictor of the Percentage of Elaborate Pretend Play Actions of pretend play (R2 = .075, p = .034), as well as the internal control (R2 = .125, p = .006) and framing (R2 = .071, p = .039) variables of playfulness. Conclusion The findings support the idea that children with ASD who have better ToM might be able to develop better pretend play, but not better playfulness, which might be more strongly related to their autistic severity.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN AGED 24-72 MONTHS IN QUANG NGAI PROVINCE

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 218-225
Author(s):  
Duc Nguyen Tan ◽  
Khue Luong Ngoc ◽  
Vu Nguyen Thanh Quang ◽  
Thang Vo Van
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Red Flag

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disability developed in the young age and lasts during the lifetime. Early diagnosis and timely interventions will help improve the situation and reduce consequences caused to persons with ASD, their families and society. Objectives: (1) To describe the prevalence of ASD of the children aged 24 – 72 months Quang Ngai Province; (2) To analyse some factors related to ASD of the children aged 24 – 72 months in Quang Ngai Province. Methodology: Cross sectional research on a total sample size of 74,308 children aged 24 – 72 months in Quang Ngai Province in a period of September to December 2016; doing interview the parents or care givers on the children’s family socio-economic characteristics; all the children were screened to examine ASD signs and standards using red flag signs, Modified-Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Children were finally examined and clinically diagnosed using criteria Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5). Results: 280 children aged 24 – 72 months, account for 3.8‰, were detected as ASD. Among the children with ASD, 63.57% were diagnosed severe, 36.34% diagnosed medium and slight. The boys with ASD is 3.1 times higher than girls (p<0.01). The children with ASD in urban areas is almost two times higher than those in rural areas (p<0.01). No any statistically significant association between factors of ethnicity, religion, ages of pregnant mothers or mother’s smoking habits with the children with ASD. Conclusions: Children aged 24 – 72 months with ASD in Quang Ngai Province accounted for 3.8‰, rather similar to the ASD prevalence in other similar studies over the world. It is a need to more deeply study on some factors related to ASD among children aged 24-72 months in Quang Ngai province. Key words: Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, Red flag signs, M-CHAT, CARS

Effect of Yoga Therapy on Neuromuscular Function and Reduction of Autism Severity in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-85
Author(s):  
Soccalingam Artchoudane ◽  
Meena Ramanathan ◽  
Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani ◽  
Partheeban Muruganandam ◽  
Lakshmi Jatiya
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Neuromuscular Function ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Severity ◽  
Yoga Therapy ◽  
Children With Asd

Autism is characterized by dysfunction in motor execution and sensory perception that are linked with neuromuscular function (fN) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This article aims to evaluate effectiveness of yoga therapy (YT) on fN and autism severity in children with ASD. Sixty children were screened (age 6 to 18) using childhood autism rating scale (CARS); 40 were allocated randomly (n=20) into yoga (YG) and control (CG) groups; both followed regular school routine, and YG received 10 YT sessions (60 min/session). Visual reaction time (VRT), handgrip strength (HGS), and CARS were measured. YG showed significant changes in VRT and CARS after YT and intergroup comparisons revealed significant differences between groups at the end of the study (VRT,p=0.008; CARS,p=0.011). YT resulted in small but statistically significant changes in CARS and significant improvement in VRT. This implies that YT can be used as an adjuvant modality for children with ASD, reducing co-morbidities with regard to the neuromuscular function.

scholarly journals Characterizing Olfactory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Children with Sensory Processing Dysfunction

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia R. Sweigert ◽  
Tanya St. John ◽  
Kristin Kawena Begay ◽  
Greg E. Davis ◽  
Jeffrey Munson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Odor Identification ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Autism Symptoms ◽  
Odor Detection ◽  
Children With Asd

Abnormalities in olfactory function have been identified in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia. However, little is known about olfactory function in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study aims to assess the olfactory profiles of children with ASD, compared to an age- and sex-matched comparison group of typically developing children and a second clinical control group consisting of non-ASD children with sensory processing dysfunction (SPD). Participants completed a battery of sensory and behavioral assessments including olfactory tasks (Sniffin’ Sticks Threshold Test and self-reported valence ratings for two target odorants (phenylethyl alcohol and vanillin) and the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test), and an autism evaluation (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2). Children with ASD showed intact odor detection with reduced odor identification ability. Poor odor identification was significantly correlated with autism symptom severity. Children with SPD demonstrated reduced odor detection and identification ability. These findings provide evidence for differential patterns of smell processing among ASD and non-ASD neurodevelopmental disorders. Future studies are needed to determine whether the association of impaired olfaction and increased autism symptoms is due to shared etiology.

scholarly journals Serum Oxytocin Level Correlates With Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minshi Huang ◽  
Kevin Liu ◽  
Zhen Wei ◽  
Zhe Feng ◽  
Jierong Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
New Findings

To investigate the levels of serum oxytocin (OT) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and explore the association between OT levels and gut microbiota relative abundances, we recruited 39 children with ASD children–mother dyads and 44 healthy controls. Serum OT levels were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and gut microbiota abundances were determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. We found that the OT level of ASD was lower than the healthy control group overall (P &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, we present preliminary evidence of gut microbiome dysbiosis observed among children with ASD to lower levels of OT based on correlational analysis between serum OT and specific gut microbiota abundances (P &lt; 0.05). We also found sex-related differences in serum OT levels and GIS index (P &lt; 0.05). However, the generalizability of findings relevant to females with ASD require further validation in future studies involving larger sample sizes and balanced sex distributions due to the small number of females involved in this study. Nonetheless, these new findings further our understanding of the effects of low serum OT levels among individuals with ASD, which provides preliminary evidence in hopes of guiding future study design or mechanistic studies. The findings of the present study may be suggestive of potential ASD subtypes based on ASD severity and gut microbiome composition that may facilitate the prediction of the therapeutic responses of OT among those with ASD.

scholarly journals VISUAL SUPPORT REDUCES ANXIETY IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND ENHANCE THEIR VISUAL PERCEPTUAL SKILLS

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Ramsha Ghous ◽  
Hina Naz
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Anxiety Levels ◽  
Therapy Sessions ◽  
Experimental Group

BACKGROUND Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have difficulties with sensory processing that result in anxiety in certain situations. Aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of visual supports in reduction of anxiety levels and tolerance of transitions or switch over in children with ASD. STUDY DESIGN Randomized controlled trial METHODS With a sample size of 57, comparison was made between two groups i.e.; the experimental and the control group to see the efficacy of the visual inputs in reducing anxiety in children with ASD of age bracket 8-12 years old. Experimental group was given visual aids with occupational therapy sessions, while control group was only given conventional Occupational Therapy sessions. Pre and post analysis of visual perceptual ages and the anxiety levels of children were compared by anxiety scale for children-spectrum disorder and motor-free visual perception test. RESULT Significant increase in the visual perceptual ages with reduction in anxiety level was observed in experimental; no significant difference was found in control group. CONCLUSION Reduction in the anxiety levels was achieved after 4 weeks of intervention with improvement in the visual perceptual ages in the experimental group.

scholarly journals Screening of vitamin B12 in children diagnosed as Autism Spectrum Disorder

QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M M Metyas ◽  
A S Abdelhakim ◽  
H H Ghandour
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Megaloblastic Anemia ◽  
Vitamin B12 Deficiency ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
B12 Deficiency

Abstract Background Vitamin B12 deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and disorders of the nervous system. In Autism spectrum disorder intestinal problems in absorption of some minerals like Vitamin B12 which lead to Vitamin B12 deficiency. Aim of the Work to investigate level of vitamin B12 in autistic children in an attempt to reach such etiological factor and to be incorporated in management if proved. Patients and Methods a Case control study. The subjects of this study comprised a convenient sample of 15 children diagnosed as ASD and other 15 children not diagnosed as ASD as control group with age range between 3 years 8 months. Modified Arabic preschool language scale (PLS-4) Test, Stanford Binet intelligence scales, fifth edition were done for all children and Child autism rating scale (CARS) was done for children of 2 groups. Results Vitamin B12 level in ASD is significantly deficiency compared to the Vitamin B12 level of normal subjects. Conclusion Vitamin B12 in ASD was found to be decreased in cases group than the controls group also below the total language level of cases group than the controls group.

scholarly journals Sleep Disorders in Autism Spectrum Disorder Pre-School Children: An Evaluation Using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Domenico M. Romeo ◽  
Claudia Brogna ◽  
Arianna Belli ◽  
Simona Lucibello ◽  
Costanza Cutrona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
School Children ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Screening Assessment

Background and Objectives: Sleep disorders are common in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The aims of this study were to describe the incidence and characteristics of sleep disorders using a questionnaire completed by the caregiver in a sample of preschool-aged children with ASD and to identify possible differences in a control group of peers. Materials and Methods: Sleep disorders were investigated with the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) in a population of pre-school-aged (3–5 years) ASD children and in a control group. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule—second ed. (ADOS-2) was further used to assess autism symptom severity. A total of 84 children (69 males; mean age 3.9 ± 0.8 years) with a diagnosis of ASD and 84 healthy controls (65 males; mean age of 3.7 ± 0.8 years) that were matched for age and sex were enrolled. Results: ASD children reported significantly higher (pathological) scores than the control group on the SDSC total scores and in some of the factor scores, such as Difficulty in Initiating and Maintaining Sleep (DIMS), disorders of excessive somnolence (DOES), and sleep hyperhidrosis. A total of 18% of ASD children had a pathological SDSC total T-score, and 46% had an abnormal score on at least one sleep factor; DIMS, parasomnias, and DOES showed the highest rates among the sleep factors. Younger children (3 years) reported higher scores in DIMS and sleep hyperhidrosis than older ones (4 and 5 years). No specific correlation was found between ADOS-2 and SDSC scores. Conclusions: Pre-school children with ASD showed a high incidence of sleep disorders with different distributions of specific sleep factors according to their age. We suggest a screening assessment of sleep disorders using the SDSC in these children with a more in-depth evaluation for those reporting pathological scores on the questionnaire.

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