Early childhood infection associated with onset of multiple conditions including autism (and not all explained by genetic or psychosocial factors)
Among a cohort of over 47,000 people, early childhood infection increased the risk of being diagnosed with one or more labels including: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depressive disorder (MDD) or schizophrenia, according to a recent Danish study. Additional analyses confirmed that the influence of such infections on diagnoses may be causal and not explained by genetic or psychosocial variables such as familial psychiatric history, urbanicity or socio-economic variables. Such findings add to a growing research base suggesting that various infections are a possible driver of enhanced risk for receipt of a diagnosis of autism and other behavioral / psychiatric labels. It also opens up a possible role for various immune-related interventions for some.
Severity of autism is the strongest variable affecting parental quality of life. Oh, and respite works
Autism severity is a primary factor affecting parental/caregiver quality of life according to a recent literature review on the topic. Research from the University of Central Florida, USA, confirms what many people have observed for decades following their analysis of 15 articles including over 5500 participants. Such work, minus any blame or stigma, provides strong evidence for both supporting parents and redoubling efforts to investigate ways and means to alleviate aspects of autism for the benefit of both children and their caregivers. Additional timely research looking at the impact of respite services also concluded that yes, respite services can provide a lifeline for caregivers. Their availability and use is linked to less stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. More research is required.
Autistic person or person with autism? Most prefer to put the person before the autism (at least in this study)
A majority of adults with autism and parents of children diagnosed with ASD prefer person-first language - person with autism - over identity-first language - autistic person - according to a new Dutch study. Over a thousand adults, all formally diagnosed with ASD, and some 280 parents provided responses to an online questionnaire about language preferences. Combined, some three-quarters of respondents preferred terminology that put the person, not label, first. The data for each group (68% adults, 82% parents) showed broad agreement. The study findings are at odds with other studies that relied on less well-defined convenience samples recruited from across social media. These results mirror/reflect the pervasive heterogeneity that we see on issues throughout the autism spectrum.
Antidepressants for autism: review and meta-analysis says potentially useful with more to do
Antidepressant use may positively impact on many areas of functioning associated with ASD according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis out of Taiwan. Based on data from 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of antidepressants with people with autism, researchers concluded that several core autistic and peripheral domains were affected by antidepressant use compared with placebos including restricted and repetitive behaviours, irritability and hyperactivity. Importantly, the quality of the research reviewed was deemed good. Further studies are required on the various types of antidepressants available, their dosage and how factors such as symptom severity and chronological age may be important.
Full-text: https://www.jpn.ca/content/47/4/E299
Serum homocysteine levels may constitute a “novel diagnostic biomarker for ASD”
Homocysteine, a sulphur rich amino acid involved in the metabolism of folate among other things, may serve as a potential diagnostic marker for autism according to new research out of China and Sweden. Based on the analysis of serum homocysteine and various related pathway compounds in samples from over 200 young children (about two-thirds of whom were diagnosed with ASD), researchers reported significantly higher levels of homocysteine in autistic children. They also hinted that homocysteine levels may be biomarker material alongside mentioning how homocysteine-lowering interventions may impact on the presentation of ASD. Further studies are needed.
[Note from J. Rodakis: Homocysteine was first identified by N of One advisor Dr. Jill James in her landmark 2004 paper as potential biomarker for autism. Her work that carries on via N of One-backed BioRosa Technologies which is developing a blood test for autism]
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