scholarly journals Improving Antioxidant Capacity in Children With Autism: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study With Cysteine-Rich Whey Protein

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Castejon ◽  
Jordan Ashley Spaw ◽  
Irina Rozenfeld ◽  
Nurit Sheinberg ◽  
Susan Kabot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Placebo Group ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Whey Protein ◽  
Adaptive Behavior ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Internalizing Behavior ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Children With Asd

Previous studies indicate that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower levels of glutathione. Nutritional interventions aim to increase glutathione levels suggest a positive effect on ASD behaviors, but findings are mixed or non-significant. A commercially available nutritional supplement comprising a cysteine-rich whey protein isolate (CRWP), a potent precursor of glutathione, was previously found to be safe and effective at raising glutathione in several conditions associated with low antioxidant capacity. Therefore, we investigated the effectiveness of a 90-day CRWP intervention in children with ASD and examined whether intracellular reduced and oxidized glutathione improvements correlated with behavioral changes. We enrolled 46 (of 81 screened) 3–5-year-old preschool children with confirmed ASD. Using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design, we evaluated the effectiveness of daily CRWP (powder form: 0.5 g/kg for children <20 kg or a 10-g dose for those >20 kg), compared with placebo (rice protein mimicking the protein load in the intervention group), on glutathione levels and ASD behaviors assessed using different behavioral scales such as Childhood Autism Rated Scale, Preschool Language Scale, Social Communication Questionnaire, Childhood Behavioral Checklist and the parent-rated Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, 2nd edition (VABS-II). Forty children (CRWP, 21; placebo, 19) completed the 90-day treatment period. Improvements observed in some behavioral scales were comparable. However, the VABS-II behavioral assessment, demonstrated significant changes only in children receiving CRWP compared to those observed in the placebo group in the composite score (effect size 0.98; 95% confidence intervals 1.42–4.02; p = 0.03). Further, several VABS-II domain scores such as adaptive behavior (p = 0.03), socialization (p = 0.03), maladaptive behavior (p = 0.04) and internalizing behavior (p = 0.02) also indicated significant changes. Children assigned to the CRWP group showed significant increases in glutathione levels (p = 0.04) compared to those in the placebo group. A subanalysis of the VABS-II scale results comparing responders (>1 SD change from baseline to follow up) and non-responders in the CRWP group identified older age and higher levels of total and reduced glutathione as factors associated with a response. CRWP nutritional intervention in children with ASD significantly improved both glutathione levels and some behaviors associated with ASD. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01366859, identifier: NCT01366859.

scholarly journals Vitamin B6 and Magnesium on Neurobehavioral Status of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-18
Author(s):  
Farhana Khan ◽  
Md Sayedur Rahman ◽  
Shaheen Akhter ◽  
Abdul Basit Ibne Momen ◽  
Sheikh Golam Raihan
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Vitamin B6 ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
General Observation ◽  
Children With Asd

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurobehavioral disorder for which till date, no pharmacological treatment has been proven effective. Some studies on complementary alternative medicines have shown neurobehavioral improvements among children diagnosed with ASD, notably with the administration of a combination of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Methods: This trial was designed to observe the effectiveness of a combination of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium in children with ASD with hyperactivity. One of the primary aim was to investigate any improvement among the six domains of ASD: general observation, cognition, emotion, social behavior, communication, and sensory deficits. Patients attending the outpatient department of the Institute of Pediatric Neurodisorder and Autism (IPNA), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, diagnosed as ASD, were selected for this trial on meeting the selection criteria diagnosed by DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental disorders) and ADCL (Autism Diagnostic CheckList). Then the patients were randomly assigned into intervention group (Vitamin B6 and Magnesium) or placebo group. The intervention group received tablets of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium daily, for 3 months, where the dosage was pre-determined by age of the subjects. Patients aged 2-3 years received 50mg Magnesium and 25mg Vitamin B6 daily, aged 4-8 years received 100mg Magnesium and 50mg Vitamin B6 daily, and patients aged 9-12 years were given 200mg Magnesium and 100mg Vitamin B6 daily. The placebo group received similar looking oral placebo tablets for the duration as the intervention group. After 3 months, each patient was assessed once again using ADCL tool by a psychologist. Results: Seventy (70) patients were enrolled for this study over a period of seven months. Among them fifty (50) met all criteria to be eligible for analysis. Therefore, intention to treat (ITT) was seventy (70) and per protocol treatment was fifty (50). Of these patients, twenty-seven (27) received Vitamin B6 and Magnesium and twenty-three (23) received placebo. The improvement observed in the proportion of patients in the intervention group (81%) was significantly (pd”0.05) higher compared to placebo (47%) group. This study revealed an overall improvement in the symptoms of autism along with improvements in specific domains e.g., Emotion (pd”0.01) and Cognition (pd” 0.05). Conclusion: Despite the small population size, this study demonstrated neurobehavioural improvement among children with ASD with hyperactivity and irritability. Consequently, this can be expected that future studies conducted on a larger scale might help to establish the beneficial role of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium as a complementary treatment for autism with hyperactivity and irritability. Bangladesh J Medicine January 2021; 32(1) : 12-18

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

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-50 ◽  
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).

The Role of the SLP in Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening and Assessment

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Philofsky
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Notable Increase ◽  
Screening Assessment ◽  
Critical Components

AbstractRecent prevalence estimates for autism have been alarming as a function of the notable increase. Speech-language pathologists play a critical role in screening, assessment and intervention for children with autism. This article reviews signs that may be indicative of autism at different stages of language development, and discusses the importance of several psychometric properties—sensitivity and specificity—in utilizing screening measures for children with autism. Critical components of assessment for children with autism are reviewed. This article concludes with examples of intervention targets for children with ASD at various levels of language development.

Effects of Consumption of Probiotic Powder Containing Lactobacillus Plantarum Dad-13 on Fecal Bacterial Population in School-Age Children in Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banin Maghfirotin Marta ◽  
Utami Tyas ◽  
Cahyanto Muhammad Nur ◽  
Widada Jaka ◽  
Rahayu Endang Sutriswati
Keyword(s):  
Placebo Group ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Lactobacillus Plantarum ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
School Age ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Probiotic Group ◽  
E Coli

Consumption of probiotics is known to influence the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of probiotic powder containing Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 on bacterial composition in the gut by examining fecal samples of school-age children in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. A total of 40 healthy subjects were recruited for this study and were divided into two groups: placebo group and probiotic group. The placebo group consumed skim milk and the probiotic group consumed probiotic powder containing L. plantarum Dad-13 (2 × 109 CFU/g) for 65 days. The results showed that placebo intake had no significant effect on gut microbiota; however, probiotic caused a significant increase in L. plantarum and Lactobacillus population, while decreasing the population of E. coli and non-E. coli coliform bacteria by 55% and 75%, respectively and Bifidobacteria count did not change significantly. The study concluded that consumption of probiotic powder L. plantarum Dad-13 could increase propionic acid thereby decreasing the gut pH which has an effect on the microbial population.

Correlation Between DTI Findings and Volume of Corpus Callosum in Children with AUTISM

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 895-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafize Otcu Temur ◽  
Ismail Yurtsever ◽  
Gozde Yesil ◽  
Rasul Sharifov ◽  
Fatih Temel Yilmaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Callosum ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Volume Measurements ◽  
Adc Values ◽  
Axonal Density ◽  
Area And Volume

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder in which neurological basis is largely unknown. The Corpus Callosum (CC) is the main commissure that connects the cerebral hemispheres. Previous evidence suggests the involvement of the CC in the pathophysiology of autism. Aim: The aim of our study is to assess whether there were any changes in Corpus Callosum (CC) area and volume and to reveal the relationship between Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) features in genu and splenium of corpus callosum in children with ASD. Methods: Eighteen patient and 15 controls were recruited. The volumetric sagittal TI images were used to provide measurements of midsagittal corpus callosum surface area while FA, MD, RD, and ADC values were extracted from genu and splenium of corpus callosum after which the correlation in the area and volume in ASD children was examined. Results: CC area and volume in children with ASD were decreased than controls. FA values obtained from the genu and splenum of CC were significantly lower and RD values were significantly higher. A positive correlation was observed between the FA of the genu and splenium and area and volume of the CC. There was a negative correlation between ADC, MD and RD of CC and area and volume measurements. Conclusion: The conclusions in the interrelations of morphometric and DTI data may demonstrate a likelihood of damages in the axons and cortical neurons. The results showed that there existed microstructural damages from the DTI findings. Furthermore, the decrease in FA could be a representation of the reduction in the myelination in nerve pathways, impaired integrity, reduced axonal density, and organization. Indeed, the changes in volumetric and microstructural of CC could be useful in evaluating underlying pathophysiology in children with autism.

scholarly journals Parents’ Perceptions of Early Interventions and Related Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faihan Alotaibi ◽  
Nabil Almalki
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Early Interventions ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
The Government

<p class="apa">The present study sought to examine parents’ perceptions of early interventions and related services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia. In this study a survey was distributed to a sample of 80 parents with children who have ASD. Parents also were asked open-ended questions to enable them to provide suggestions. The findings indicate that parents have varying perceptions of early interventions and related services. However, they seem to agree that these services are important in assisting their children. Accordingly, parents have suggested that the government needs to increase these services by providing more centers for children with ASD in Saudi Arabia, providing more specialists to deal with children with ASD, promoting inclusion in regular schools and providing more information on early intervention.</p>

scholarly journals Implication of the Sensory Environment in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Perspectives from School

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7670
Author(s):  
Ana Gentil-Gutiérrez ◽  
José Luis Cuesta-Gómez ◽  
Paula Rodríguez-Fernández ◽  
Jerónimo Javier González-Bernal
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sensory Profile ◽  
School Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sensory Stimuli ◽  
Children With Asd

(1) Background: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently have difficulties in processing sensory information, which is a limitation when participating in different contexts, such as school. The objective of the present study was to compare the sensory processing characteristics of children with ASD in the natural context of school through the perception of professionals in the field of education, in comparison with neurodevelopmental children (2) Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study as conducted with study population consisting of children between three and ten years old, 36 of whom were diagnosed with ASD and attended the Autismo Burgos association; the remaining 24 had neurotypical development. The degree of response of the children to sensory stimuli at school was evaluated using the Sensory Profile-2 (SP-2) questionnaire in its school version, answered by the teachers. (3) Results: Statistically significant differences were found in sensory processing patterns (p = 0.001), in sensory systems (p = 0.001) and in school factors (p = 0.001). Children with ASD who obtained worse results. (4) Conclusions: Children with ASD are prone to present sensory alterations in different contexts, giving nonadapted behavioral and learning responses.

scholarly journals Autism Detection in Children by Combined Use of Gaze Preference and the M-CHAT-R in a Resource-Scarce Setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 994-1006
Author(s):  
Kelly Jensen ◽  
◽  
Sassan Noazin ◽  
Leandra Bitterfeld ◽  
Andrea Carcelen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Early Screening ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Better Than

AbstractMost children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in resource-limited settings (RLS), are diagnosed after the age of four. Our work confirmed and extended results of Pierce that eye tracking could discriminate between typically developing (TD) children and those with ASD. We demonstrated the initial 15 s was at least as discriminating as the entire video. We evaluated the GP-MCHAT-R, which combines the first 15 s of manually-coded gaze preference (GP) video with M-CHAT-R results on 73 TD children and 28 children with ASD, 36–99 months of age. The GP-MCHAT-R (AUC = 0.89 (95%CI: 0.82–0.95)), performed significantly better than the MCHAT-R (AUC = 0.78 (95%CI: 0.71–0.85)) and gaze preference (AUC = 0.76 (95%CI: 0.64–0.88)) alone. This tool may enable early screening for ASD in RLS.

scholarly journals Pivotal Response Treatment with and without robot-assistance for children with autism: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris van den Berk-Smeekens ◽  
Manon W. P. de Korte ◽  
Martine van Dongen-Boomsma ◽  
Iris J. Oosterling ◽  
Jenny C. den Boer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Pivotal Response Treatment ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Robot Assistance

AbstractPivotal response treatment (PRT) is a promising intervention focused on improving social communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since robots potentially appeal to children with ASD and may contribute to their motivation for social interaction, this exploratory randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted comparing PRT (PRT and robot-assisted PRT) with treatment-as-usual (TAU). Seventy-three children (PRT: n = 25; PRT + robot: n = 25; TAU: n = 23) with ASD, aged 3–8 years were assessed at baseline, after 10 and 20 weeks of intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. There were no significant group differences on parent- and teacher-rated general social-communicative skills and blindly rated global functioning directly after treatment. However, at follow-up largest gains were observed in robot-assisted PRT compared to other groups. These results suggest that robot-assistance may contribute to intervention efficacy for children with ASD when using game scenarios for robot-child interaction during multiple sessions combined with motivational components of PRT. This trial is registered at https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/4487; NL4487/NTR4712 (2014-08-01).

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