Autism : Science World Report

Jun 09, 2014 11:49 AM EDT

Air Pollution May be Linked to Autism and Schizophrenia: Early Life Exposure Impacts the Brain

Scientists have found that exposure to air pollution early in life produces harmful changes in the brains of mice, including an enlargement of part of the brain that is seen in humans who have autism and schizophrenia.

Jun 03, 2014 10:46 AM EDT

Autism Linked to Elevated Levels of Steroid Hormones in the Womb

Researchers have found that children who later develop autism are exposed to elevated levels of steroid hormones, such as testosterone, progesterone and cortisol, while still in the womb.

Jun 02, 2014 07:39 AM EDT

Environmental Influences May Cause Autism: Children of Older Mothers at Risk

Could environmental influences cause autism? That's exactly what scientists have found in this latest study. They've discovered that some cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can result from environmental influences rather than gene mutations.

May 30, 2014 09:41 AM EDT

The Link between Epilepsy and Autism

Previous studies have shown that nearly one-third of patients with an autism spectrum disorder also have epilepsy. Up until recently, however, only limited clinical research showed a connection between the two neurological conditions.

May 26, 2014 07:07 AM EDT

Sense of Touch Can Trigger Our Emotions: Nerves May Impact Patients with Autism

A sense of touch, like a gentle caress, can trigger our emotions and now, scientists have found out why. They've described a system of slowly conducting nerves in the skin that respond to gentle touch, which could tell us more about autism.

May 05, 2014 11:44 AM EDT

Environmental Factors More Important Than Realized in Autism Development

It's not just genes that influence whether or not a child develops autism, it's also environment. Now, scientists have taken a closer look and have found that environmental factors are far more important than previously thought.

May 05, 2014 12:16 AM EDT

Understanding the Genetic and Environmental Factors of Autism

A recent study conducted by researchers at King's College London, Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Mount Sinai in the United States show that understanding the environmental factors of autism are just as important as studying the genetic aspects.

May 04, 2014 11:50 PM EDT

Autistic Youth at Increased Risk for Alcoholism: Study

A recent study shows that autistic young adults may be at an increased risk for alcoholism.

May 01, 2014 01:56 PM EDT

Student’s Master’s Research Focuses on Developing an Environment for Autism Patients

Elizabeth Decker is graduating this month with a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from Kansas State University. Her master's research report focuses on incorporating those with autism into a more inclusive environment.

Feb 28, 2014 04:29 PM EST

Reasons Why Autism is Much More Common in Men Than Women

It has been known that males are at a greater risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, autism spectrum disorder being one of them. But the reasons as to why this was a prevalent statistic have been unclear--until now.

Feb 25, 2014 04:23 PM EST

New Autism Definition Can Reduce Diagnoses and Leave Children Without Proper Care

Back in May 2013, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) issued new diagnosis guidelines for autism spectrum disorder. These new guidelines could pose a serious issue if thousands of previously qualified ASD patients are not treated properly.

Feb 07, 2014 10:26 AM EST

New Use of Drug May Alleviate Children’s Symptoms of Autism

Bumetanide, a diuretic approved to treat people with liver and heart disease, is currently being tested on mice and rats to prove its effectiveness in reversing and alleviating the effects of autism in people.