Inflammatory bowel disease is over-represented in autism
Various serious bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease seem to appear more frequently alongside a diagnosis of autism according to data from a new meta-analysis. A global research collaboration analyzed six studies cumulatively including medical records from over 11 million people to reach their findings. They concluded a requirement for preferential screening for such inflammatory bowel diseases in autism is needed, alongside more targeted study on any shared biological links between autism and bowel disease.
Autism longitudinally:
Retained ASD, Lost ASD, Never Had ASD, Gained ASD
Diagnoses of autism can ‘shift’ across development according to new research from California, USA. Looking for any changes to core diagnostic symptoms initially in over 150 children, researchers completed blinded assessments across years of child to adult development using gold-standard assessment instruments. From the 86 people who completed assessments in adulthood, they were able to separate out participants into four groups: Retained ASD, Lost ASD, Never Had ASD, Gained ASD. Among the notable results were the 19% of higher IQ participants who “Lost” their ASD diagnosis by age 25. This important data reiterates how heterogeneous the label of autism is, and the multiple directions that behavioral symptoms and diagnosis can potentially take.
Autism + ADHD = greater impact on quality of life
A dual diagnosis of autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is accompanied by more severe problems in relation to cognitive functioning, adaptive behaviors and issues related to sensory processing according to new research. Based on a review of 34 studies looking at the cognitive and behavioral characteristics of individuals with a dual diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD (termed ‘ASD+’), researchers concluded that more research and clinical services are required, particularly on the biological links between autism and ADHD and what a dual diagnosis means for the design and implementation of care plans.
And finally…
Autoimmune Encephalitis and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Is all regressive autism really ‘regressive autism’ or could it be something different? That was one of the questions posed in a new review looking at the potential overlaps between some cases of autism and the serious condition known as autoimmune encephalitis, where facets of the immune system wrongly attack brain tissue, and cause symptoms that mimic autism. Surveying the limited but important research literature on AE, researchers concluded that further investigations are needed particularly where regression accompanies the onset of autism. Further, whether the immune system treatments for AE may provide relief from behavioral symptoms in cases of regressive autism.
[Editor's note: "Paul Whiteley, who writes these newsletters for us, is one of the authors of this paper which contains one of the best “Intro” sections on autism that I have read. Recommended." - John Rodakis]
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