Tag

Autism

All articles tagged with #autism

health1 day ago•23 min saved

Low-cost levocarnitine shows autism benefits in gene-defined subset, Yale study finds

Yale researchers screened 774 FDA-approved drugs for autism-like traits in genetically modified zebrafish, narrowing to 520 non-toxic candidates; levocarnitine (Carnitor), a cheap prescription drug, stood out by reversing disruptive behaviors and normalizing brain activity in zebrafish with SCN2A and DYRK1A mutations, genes linked to autism. Levocarnitine costs about 44 cents per pill and is approved for carnitine deficiency, but these two mutations are rare in the broader autism population, so benefits would likely apply to a small subset. The work is preclinical, and researchers caution against using levocarnitine to treat autism until human trials are conducted; they also created an open-source drug database to guide future research.

via New York Post|

#autism #dyrk1a #health

health-and-medicine2 days ago•7 min saved

Autism traits shape brain networks shared by ASD and ADHD

A Molecular Psychiatry study shows that the severity of autism-like symptoms, not the diagnostic label, is linked to specific brain connectivity patterns and gene activity shared by autism and ADHD, suggesting a common biology and supporting a dimensional, biomarker-informed approach to neurodevelopmental conditions.

via ScienceDaily|

#adhd #autism #brain-imaging

science2 days ago•8 min saved

Zebrafish Drug Screen Targets Autism Genes, Spotlighting Levocarnitine

Yale researchers used larval zebrafish to map how 774 FDA-approved drugs affect behaviors tied to autism-risk genes, building an open database of 520 compounds and identifying levocarnitine as a top rescuer for SCN2A and DYRK1A mutations; they validated the effect in human stem-cell–derived neurons, laying groundwork for precision, gene-targeted drug discovery in autism.

via Neuroscience News|

#autism #drug-repurposing #levocarnitine

autism3 days ago•25 min saved

Grandparent ages at childbirth linked to autism risk across generations, with racial differences

A California multigenerational study found that the ages of maternal grandparents when they had their child are linked to autism risk in their grandchildren, with distinct racial/ethnic patterns: a U-shaped increase in risk for White families (young and old grandparents both associated with higher odds) and varying patterns for Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander, and Black families. The analysis used birth records of more than 1.7 million mother–child pairs (2001–2019) and nearly 28,000 autism cases, linking grandparent ages to grandchild outcomes. Authors note limitations including focus on the maternal line and a lack of data on lifestyle factors or paternal grandparents, calling for broader, more detailed future research.

via PsyPost|

#autism #california #ethnicity

science22 days ago•6 min saved

Consonant Chords Energize Social Brains, Enhancing Face-to-Face Bonding

A Yale study using functional near-infrared spectroscopy found that listening to harmonically consonant chord progressions during live eye-to-eye interaction boosts activity in social and emotional brain regions and increases perceived connectedness; removing or scrambling the music eliminates the boost, suggesting music can biologically enhance social bonding and may inform music-therapy approaches for autism and related conditions.

via Neuroscience News|

#autism #fnirs #music

science28 days ago•4 min saved

Dopamine Clues in Autism May Signal Parkinson's Risk Later

A small study using DaT SPECT scans in 12 young adults with autism found abnormal dopamine transporter behavior in a subset, suggesting disrupted dopamine processing could be linked to a higher Parkinson's risk decades later, though no current signs of disease or IQ differences were found. Researchers caution against drawing conclusions and aim to study larger groups to verify whether these transporter abnormalities could serve as an early biomarker for Parkinson's and inform preventative strategies.

via ScienceAlert|

#autism #basal-ganglia #dopamine

autism29 days ago•24 min saved

Autism study finds females show larger cognitive shifts than males

A large meta-analysis of 34 studies (over 1.2 million participants) finds autistic females exhibit larger departures from the typical female cognitive profile than autistic males do from the typical male profile, supporting a female protective effect and a stronger application of the Extreme Male Brain theory to females; empathy shifts drive the signal more than systemizing, with a notable cognitive trade-off in autism. Limitations include reliance on self-reports and sample clustering, underscoring the need for further research to improve identification of autistic females.

via PsyPost|

#autism #empathizing #femaleprotectiveeffect

health-policy1 month ago•10 min saved

FDA keeps leucovorin for a rare condition, not autism

The FDA said leucovorin will be approved only for cerebral folate deficiency (CFD-FOLR1) and will not be expanded to autism, despite the Trump administration’s push. Regulators cited limited evidence for autism treatment and noted a retraction of a key study, narrowing the review to the rare CFD-FOLR1 condition and highlighting the gap between political claims and scientific proof for autism therapies.

via Ars Technica|

#autism #cfd-folr1 #fda

health1 month ago•4 min saved

FDA narrows leucovorin's promise: approved for cerebral folate deficiency, not autism

The FDA approved leucovorin only for cerebral folate deficiency caused by pathogenic FOLR1 variants, not as a treatment for autism, despite earlier pitches by officials that it could help many autistic children. The supporting evidence for autism benefit has been weak and a major trial was retracted due to data concerns. The rare genetic form this approval covers affects a small number of cases, and the agency is encouraging more research to assess any broader autism effects while signaling the treatment’s utility remains limited to the specific cerebral folate deficiency condition.

via Gizmodo|

#autism #cerebral-folate-deficiency #fda-approval

health1 month ago•16 min saved

FDA finds scant evidence that a generic drug helps autism

The FDA’s review concludes there is scant evidence that a generic drug provides meaningful benefit for autism, raising doubts about its efficacy and underscoring the need for more rigorous research.

via AP News|

#autism #clinical-trials #drug-research

health1 month ago•7 min saved

FDA scales back autism hype as leucovorin gains rare-disease approval

FDA officials say there’s insufficient data to approve leucovorin for autism, reversing earlier optimism from RFK Jr. and FDA Commissioner Makary; the drug is now approved for a rare CFD-FOLR1–related cerebral folate deficiency, with off-label autism use left to physician discussion and future research; the initial trial cited in support of autism benefits was retracted, underscoring data limitations.

via Politico|

#autism #cerebral-folate-deficiency #fda

health1 month ago•3 min saved

FDA approves leucovorin for a rare brain condition, not autism

The FDA approved leucovorin for cerebral folate deficiency and clarified it is not approved to treat autism; data on autism efficacy is insufficient, though doctors may prescribe it off-label, and prescriptions rose after earlier statements from officials.

via NBC News|

#autism #cerebral-folate-deficiency #fda

health1 month ago•3 min saved

FDA approves leucovorin for cerebral folate deficiency in rare patients

The FDA approved leucovorin (folinic acid) as the first treatment for cerebral folate deficiency—a rare genetic disorder that prevents folate from reaching the brain—in select adults and children. The decision was based on a systematic review of published case data rather than a randomized trial and did not establish broad efficacy for autism, though future autism studies remain possible. The approval covers generic leucovorin and GSK’s Wellcovorin, and regulators urged manufacturers to boost production to meet rising demand; GSK has no plans to relaunch the product.

via CNBC|

#autism #cerebral-folate-deficiency #fda-approval

neuroscience1 month ago•24 min saved

Blocking nitric oxide normalizes autism-like traits in mice

Researchers show that high levels of brain nitric oxide cause S-nitrosylation and destruction of the TSC2 brake protein, hyperactivating the mTOR growth pathway and leading to autism-like behaviors in Shank3/Cntnap2 autism-model mice. Blocking nitric oxide preserves TSC2, slows the mTOR pathway, and restores typical brain function and social behaviors in these mice; conversely, activating mTOR in healthy mice induces autism-like traits. The mechanism appears in human SHANK3-mutant neurons and in blood samples from autistic children, suggesting a conserved NO–TSC2–mTOR axis and a potential drug target, though limitations include small human sample sizes and the need for broader studies.

via PsyPost|

#autism #mtor #neuroscience

lifestyle1 month ago•19 min saved

Early screen time tied to ADHD and autism traits in toddlers

New studies from Drexel University and the University of Fukui link early screen exposure in babies and toddlers to atypical sensory behaviors by about 33 months, with increased risk for ADHD and autism traits. Findings show that even an extra hour of daily screen time at 18–24 months raises odds of sensory-seeking, sensory-avoidance, and low registration, and researchers urge screen-time reduction and sensory-processing guidance, alongside pediatric recommendations to limit digital media for very young children.

via Earth.com|

#adhd #autism #lifestyle