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Autism is both a medical condition that gives rise to disability and an example of human variation that is characterised by neurological and cognitive differences. The goal of evidence-based intervention and support is to alleviate distress, improve adaptation, and promote wellbeing. Support should be collaborative, with autistic individuals, families, and service providers taking a shared decision-making approach to maximise the individual's potential, minimise barriers, and optimise the person-environment fit. Comprehensive, naturalistic early intervention with active caregiver involvement can facilitate early social communication, adaptive functioning, and cognitive development; targeted intervention can help to enhance social skills and aspects of cognition. Augmentative and alternative communication interventions show preliminary evidence of benefit in minimising communication barriers. Co-occurring health issues, such as epilepsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders, sleep problems, and mental health challenges, should be treated in a timely fashion. The creation of autism-friendly contexts is best achieved by supporting families, reducing stigma, enhancing peer understanding, promoting inclusion in education, the community, and at work, and through advocacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autistic children and youth spend a significant amount of their time interacting with technology, however, the characterization of use remains sparse. The objectives of this study were to 1) characterise the patterns and purpose of technology use among autistic children compared to non-autistic children, 2) explore the impact of how technology use affects child and family well-being, and 3) examine parents' attitudes towards childrens' technology use. A 44-question anonymous parent-report survey developed in consultation with families of autistic children and clinicians was available online for 22 months, from April 2018 through February 2020. Parents and caregivers of children 19-years-old and younger were eligible to complete the survey. 611 survey responses were collected (autism group = 407; community group = 204). The autism group exhibited greater technology use across all time points of interest, with tablets being the most frequently used device type. The autism group was also more likely to use technology for therapeutic and recreational activities. The autism group experienced more positive impacts on quality of life and benefited more in areas of social, motor, language, and emotion regulation skills from technology use than the community group. Parents of older children, males, and those in the autism group were more likely to report displaced socialising with technology use. Positive attitudes were more likely to be reported by parents of autistic children and younger children, whereas negative feelings were more likely to be reported by parents of older and male children. The study findings must be interpreted within the context of several limitations, including the size and representativeness of the sample, potential for bias from parent-report, and limitations in the survey design (closed-ended questions). Autistic children exhibited more technology use than non-autistic children. Parental perceptions of impact were highly mixed, and included potential benefits for recreation and supports. Implications for technology developers and clinical practitioners are discussed. • Children exceeded screen time guidelines. • Autism diagnosis, older age, and being male were associated with greater screen time. • Parental perception of technology impact were mixed. • Parents of autistic children more likely to perceive technology impact as positive. • Educational, recreational, and therapeutic use associated with positive impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • First MEG study of neural underpinnings of theory of mind differences in autism. • Children with autism show decreased LTPJ activity from 300 to 375 and 425 to 500 ms. • Children with autism also show increased RIFG activity from 325 to 375 ms. • Co-incident lower LTPJ and higher RIFG activity implies compensatory use of RIFG. • Executive functions may augment impaired theory of mind in autism. Abstract The social impairments observed in children with autism spectrum disorder are thought to arise in part from deficits in theory of mind, the ability to understand other people's thoughts and feelings. To determine the temporal-spatial dynamics of brain activity underlying these atypical theory-of-mind processes, we used magnetoencephalography to characterize the sequence of functional brain patterns (i.e. when and where) related to theory-of-mind reasoning in 19 high-functioning children with autism compared to 22 age- and sex-matched typically-developing children aged 8–12 during a false-belief (theory-of-mind) task. While task performance did not differ between the two groups, children with autism showed reduced activation in the left temporoparietal junction between 300–375 and 425–500 ms, as well as increased activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus from 325 to 375 ms compared to controls. The overlap in decreased temporoparietal junction activity and increased right inferior frontal gyrus activation from 325 to 375 ms suggests that in children with autism, the right inferior frontal gyrus may compensate for deficits in the temporoparietal junction, a neural theory-of-mind network hub. As the right inferior frontal gyrus is involved in inhibitory control, this finding suggests that children with autism rely on executive functions to bolster their false-belief understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by difficulties in social and communication skills as well as atypical sensory perception and motor skills. Sensorimotor abilities such as auditory-motor integration are essential for social interaction and communication. The goal of this research was to investigate the development of auditory-motor rhythm synchronization for the first time in ASD versus typically-developing (TD) children. Methods Participants were 31 boys with ASD and 23 TD boys that were matched in age and IQ. Participants were tested on an auditory-motor rhythm synchronization task in which they tapped in synchrony with rhythms of varying metrical complexity. Results Both children with ASD and TD performed similarly on this task and both groups performed better with age. Conclusions This work demonstrates that non-verbal rhythm synchronization is intact in ASD over the course of childhood development. This research serves to better understand sensorimotor interactions in ASD and to better define sensory phenotypes in ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common disorder that has a complex and heterogeneous etiology. Some evidence suggests that inflammation and oxidative stress may have a pathophysiological link. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been proposed as a possible therapy. Because HBOT is an expensive treatment with significant commercial opportunity, it is essential for it to have a research evidence base prior to widespread use. Objective To conduct a systematic review of the literature evaluating the clinical impact of HBOT on behavior and development in ASD with a view to inform practice. Methods A literature search of electronic scientific databases focusing on clinical outcomes of HBOT in ASD was performed. Articles meeting inclusion criteria were independently assessed by reviewers and were classified according to the American Academy of Neurology Guidelines. Recommendations were made based on the evidence. Results Five articles were reviewed with data extraction. Based on the AAN Classification of Recommendations the data supported a rating of “A”, indicating that HBOT is not effective for treating children and youth with ASD. Conclusions Current evidence does not support HBOT as an effective treatment for children and youth with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are hundreds of risk genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but signaling networks at the protein level remain unexplored. We use neuron-specific proximity-labeling proteomics (BioID2) to identify protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks for 41 ASD risk genes. Neuron-specific PPI networks, including synaptic transmission proteins, are disrupted by de novo missense variants. The PPI network map reveals convergent pathways, including mitochondrial/metabolic processes, Wnt signaling, and MAPK signaling. CRISPR knockout displays an association between mitochondrial activity and ASD risk genes. The PPI network shows an enrichment of 112 additional ASD risk genes and differentially expressed genes from postmortem ASD patients. Clustering of risk genes based on PPI networks identifies gene groups corresponding to clinical behavior score severity. Our data report that cell type-specific PPI networks can identify individual and convergent ASD signaling networks, provide a method to assess patient variants, and highlight biological insight into disease mechanisms and sub-cohorts of ASD. [Display omitted] • BioID of 41 ASD risk genes in primary neurons identifies converging pathways • ASD-associated de novo missense variants perturb PPI networks • Association of non-syndromic ASD risk genes to mitochondrial dysfunction • PPI networks identify ASD sub-types and link ASD biology to clinical outcomes Murtaza et al. use proximity-labeling proteomics for 41 ASD risk genes and identify convergent pathways, including mitochondrial processes. The screen identifies ASD-linked genetic variants disrupt protein interaction networks. Clustering of ASD risk genes based on interactions correlate clinical behavior and ASD biology to protein interaction networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhibition is a fundamental executive function necessary for self-management of behaviour. The ability to withhold prepotent responses shows protracted development, extending through childhood and into adulthood. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG) with co-registered MRI, the spatiotemporal neural processes involved in inhibitory control were examined in 15 adolescents and 15 adults during a Go/No-go task. Two tasks were run that contained inverse ratios of Go to No-go trials for the experimental (2:1) and control conditions (1:2). Using vector beamforming, images of neural activation between No-go and Go trials were compared for both age-groups and revealed recruitment of the right inferior frontal gyrus in adults (BA 45; 200–250 ms), but delayed recruitment of the left inferior frontal gyri in adolescents (BA 45; 250–300 ms). Left anticipatory-related activity near the hand motor region (BA 6) was present in both adolescents and adults, but for a longer duration in adults. Adolescents additionally recruited the right middle and superior temporal gyri (BA21, BA22), while adults engaged the right temporal gyrus (BA41) but for a much briefer duration. These findings of delayed recruitment of canonical inhibitory control areas with supplementary and prolonged involvement of temporal areas in adolescents compared to adults indicate an immature inhibitory network even in adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There is a paucity of treatments targeting core symptom domains in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Several animal models and research in typically developing volunteers suggests that manipulation of the oxytocin system may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of social deficits. We review the literature for oxytocin and ASD and report on early dosing, safety and efficacy data of multi-dose oxytocin on aspects of social cognition/function, as well as repetitive behaviors and co-occurring anxiety within ASD. Methods : Fifteen children and adolescents with verbal IQs≥70 were diagnosed with ASD using the ADOS and the ADI-R. They participated in a modified maximum tolerated dose study of intranasal oxytocin (Syntocinon). Data were modeled using repeated measures regression analysis controlling for week, dose, age, and sex. Results : Among 4 doses tested, the highest dose evaluated, 0.4 IU/kg/dose, was found to be well tolerated. No serious or severe adverse events were reported and adverse events reported/observed were mild to moderate. Over 12 weeks of treatment, several measures of social cognition/function, repetitive behaviors and anxiety showed sensitivity to change with some measures suggesting maintenance of effect 3 months past discontinuation of intranasal oxytocin. Conclusions : This pilot study suggests that daily administration of intranasal oxytocin at 0.4 IU/kg/dose in children and adolescents with ASD is safe and has therapeutic potential. Larger studies are warranted. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Oxytocin and Social Behav . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Examined brain metabolite levels in ASD and related them to age, sex and symptoms. [•] MRS from 20 individuals with autism and 16 controls (7–18 years) were used. [•] ASD individuals had elevated glutamate/creatine levels in the putamen. [•] Sex differences were found in choline/creatine concentrations in the thalamus. [•] Metabolite levels were associated with behavioral scores on diagnostic measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Several brain regions show structural and functional abnormalities in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the developmental trajectory of abnormalities in these structures and how they may relate to social and communicative impairments are still unclear. We assessed the effects of age on cortical thickness in individuals with ASD, between the ages of 7 and 39 years in comparison to typically developing controls. Additionally, we examined differences in cortical thickness in relation to symptomatology in the ASD group, and their association with age. Analyses were conducted using a general linear model, controlling for sex. Social and communication scores from the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) were correlated with the thickness of regions implicated in those functions. Controls showed widespread cortical thinning relative to the ASD group. Within regions-of-interest, increased thickness in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex was associated with poorer social scores. Additionally, a significant interaction between age and social impairment was found in the orbitofrontal cortex, with more impaired younger children having decreased thickness in this region. These results suggest that differential neurodevelopmental trajectories are present in individuals with ASD and some differences are associated with diagnostic behaviours. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Attentional dysfunction is one of the most consistent findings in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the significance of such findings for the pathophysiology of autism is unclear. In this study, we investigated cellular neurochemistry with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (1H-MRS) in brain regions associated with networks subserving alerting, orienting, and executive control of attention in patients with ASD. Concentrations of cerebral N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), creatinine+phosphocreatinine, choline-containing compounds, myo-inositol (Ins) and glutamate+glutamine (Glx) were determined by 3T 1H-MRS examinations in 14 high-functioning medication-free adults with a diagnosis of ASD and 14 age- and IQ-matched healthy controls (HC) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), thalamus, temporoparietal junction (TPJ), and areas near or along the intraparietal sulcus (IPS). Compared to HC group, the ASD group showed significantly lower Glx concentration in right ACC and reduced Ins concentration in left TPJ. This study provides evidence of abnormalities in neurotransmission related to networks subserving executive control and alerting of attention, functions which have been previously implicated in ASD pathogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex underlying genetic architecture. There are currently no known pharmacologic treatments for the core ASD symptoms of social deficits and restricted/ repetitive behavior. However, there are dozens of clinical trials currently underway that are testing the impact of novel and existing agents on core and associated symptoms in ASD. We present a narrative synthesis of the historical and contemporary challenges to drug discovery in ASD. We then provide an overview of novel treatments currently under investigation from a genomics and systems biology perspective. Data driven network and cluster analyses suggest alterations in transcriptional regulation, chromatin remodelling, synaptic transmission, neuropeptide signalling, and/or immunological mechanisms may contribute to or underlie the development of ASD. Agents and upcoming trials targeting each of the above listed systems are reviewed. Identifying effective pharmacologic treatments for the core and associated symptom domains in ASD will require further collaboration and innovation in the areas of outcome measurement, biomarker research, and genomics, as well as systematic efforts to identify and treat subgroups of individuals with ASD who may be differentially responsive to specific treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The repetitive behaviors seen in autism phenotypically resemble those seen in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette Syndrome (TS), disorders in which structural and functional abnormalities of the basal ganglia (BG) are present and correspond to the severity of repetitive behaviors. Methods: Seventeen subjects with autism by DSM-IV and Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) and 17 matched controls completed a 1.5 T magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the brain. Two blinded researchers, with good inter-rater reliability, outlined the right and left caudate and putamen. Autistic and control BG volumes covaried for total brain volume were compared using analysis of covariance. BG volumes within the autistic group were correlated with the ADI Repetitive Behavior scores (ADI-C domain). Results: Right caudate volume controlled for total brain volume was significantly larger in autistic subjects than in controls. In addition, right caudate and total putamen volumes correlated positively with repetitive behavior scores on the ADI-C domain, particularly the higher order OCD-like repetitive behaviors. Conclusions: Increased right caudate volume in autism is of interest, since this has also been observed in OCD patients. Increased volume of the right caudate and total putamen positively correlated with greater repetitive behaviors, supporting the hypothesis of BG dysfunction associated with repetitive behaviors in autistic adults. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Anxiety is a significant problem in youth with ASD. • Intelligence and languge are both related to anxiety in ASD, but the three have never been studied together in the same model. • We found that language fully mediated the relationship between intelligence and anxiety; that is, when controlling for the effects of language, there was no longer a relationship between intelligence and anxiety. • We hypothesize that language may be so critical in anxiety in ASD as those with lower language capabilities may not be able to report their anxiety in the same manner as those with higher language capabilities. • We conclude that a new measure of anxiety is needed for individuals with ASD, so that both typical and distinct presentations of anxiety, regardless of language level, may be assessed. Anxiety is a common condition noted to cause significant impairment in some autistic youth. Previous research has found that autistic youth tend to exhibit higher levels of traditional anxiety symptoms with higher IQ scores and higher language abilities. In this study of the relationship between anxiety, intelligence, and language skills in autistic youth, it was hypothesized that a mediational relationship would be observed in which IQ exerts its influence over anxiety through language skills. Participants consisted of 293 autistic youth between the ages of 7 and 18. Anxiety was assessed with the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale, language with the Oral and Written Language Scales Version II, and IQ (performance, verbal, and full-scale) was measured with the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence Version II. A simple mediation model was used with IQ as the predictor variable, language as the mediator variable, and anxiety as the outcome variable. This analysis was conducted three times so that performance, verbal, and full-scale IQ could be examined as separate predictors. The results of this study confirmed our hypothesis with a full mediation effect for each IQ scale, although verbal IQ was too strongly correlated with language scores for it to be considered a separate construct from our language measure. This model should inform further autism research in that the influence of IQ and language over anxiety should not be viewed as independent factors but as a set of constructs that exert a shared influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic inflammation is known to alter behaviour, and since it has been reported that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have higher levels of circulating cytokines, it has been hypothesized that systemic inflammation may exacerbate behaviours characteristic of ASD. The acute phase proteins α-2-macroglobulin, C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, serum amyloid P, serum amyloid A, ferritin and tissue plasminogen activator, as well as markers of intestinal permeability (intestinal fatty acid binding protein and lipopolysaccharide) were quantitated in the plasma of very young children with ASD. Behaviour severity was measured using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale (VABS). An increase in circulating I-FABP correlated with more severe deficits in communication, communication + social interaction as well as maladaptive behaviour. The acute phase protein haptoglobin was associated with more severe social interaction and communication + social interaction. In summary, I-FABP, a marker of intestinal epithelial damage, was associated with more severe behavioural phenotypes in very young children with ASD. In addition, the acute phase protein, haptoglobin, was associated with behaviour. [Display omitted] • Acute phase proteins and inflammatory markers of intestinal permeability are detectable in a dynamic range in very young children with autism • Intestinal fatty acid binding protein, a marker of intestinal permeability, was associated with an increased severity of behavioural symptoms [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Explored whether VIQ could be used as a proxy for language in ASD and typical development. • VIQ scores were derived from a Wechsler scale and language scores were obtained from OWLS-II. • VIQ accounted for a small proportion of variance in language scores across diagnosis and sex. • VIQ is not a suitable measure of language content and use but may be used as a proxy for language content only. There is growing interest in understanding the brain and language associations in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A considerable number of studies investigating these associations have used the verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ) as their primary measure of language form and content. Given this current trend, we aimed to establish whether the VIQ could reliably be used as a measure of receptive and expressive language form and content in individuals with ASD and in typical development (TD). We examined the VIQ standard scores derived from a Wechsler cognitive battery as well as receptive and expressive language standard scores from the Oral Written Language Scales – Second Edition (OWLS-II) of 714 participants aged 3–21 years: 488 with ASD and 226 with TD. Regression analyses revealed that VIQ scores predicted greater variance in receptive and expressive language scores in males with ASD relative to males with TD, and predicted less variance in receptive and expressive language scores in females with ASD relative to females with TD. Overall, VIQ accounted for a small proportion of variance in receptive and expressive language scores. Our findings indicate that the VIQ does not accurately capture language form and content evaluated by language measures like the OWLS-II, but may perhaps be used as a proxy for language content only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this session is to synthesize new research evidence supporting clinical and biological overlap between ASD and ADHD. The second study used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to examine and compare the brain white matter structure of 200 participants with ASD, ADHD, and OCD or control subjects. In the fMRI study, children with ASD or ADHD showed decreased network degree in the default mode network and increased network degree and efficiency in the subcortical network compared with control subjects. [Extracted from the article]

ASD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by social deficits and repetitive behaviors. This was a phase 2 study that assessed the safety and efficacy of tideglusib, a novel, orally available GSK3 inhibitor, as a once-daily treatment for the core symptoms of ASD. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: A previous study reported on a 16-week placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial (RCT) of metformin for weight stabilization in 61 children and adolescents 6 to 17 years old with autism spectrum disorder who were prescribed atypical antipsychotics. The present study describes the results of a 16-week open-label extension.Method: Fifty-two participants from the acute trial (85%) entered the extension; 22 had been on metformin during the initial RCT and 30 had been on placebo. Participants were re-titrated to 500 mg twice a day (6- to 9-year-olds) or 850 mg twice a day (10- to 17-year-olds) during the open-label extension. Primary outcome measure was change in body mass index (BMI) z-score after 16 weeks; secondary outcomes were change in additional body composition and metabolic parameters.Results: After 16 weeks of open-label treatment, participants initially taking placebo during the RCT had lower BMI z-scores (mean 16-week change -0.10, p = .004). Statistically significant improvements also were noted in secondary body composition measures (weight z-score and BMI and weight percentile) but not in metabolic variables. Participants who initially had been taking metformin during the 16-week RCT maintained prior decreases in BMI z-scores but did not have additional weight loss. Three participants discontinued treatment because of an adverse event. No significant changes were noted on metabolic measures, although the decrease in hemoglobin A1c was large (∼1 mmol) and consistent across the acute and open-label phases.Conclusion: Metformin can be effective for decreasing weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotic use and maintaining prior improvement in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Clinical trial registration information-Treatment of Overweight Induced by Antipsychotic Medication in Young People With Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD); http://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT01825798. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We thank Dr. Higdon et al. for their interest in our article on metformin and children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and for providing information about the MOBILITY study (a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)-funded pragmatic clinical trial to examine the relative effectiveness of metformin plus healthy lifestyle instruction versus healthy lifestyle instruction alone).1 In our October 2017 article,2 we reported the results of a 16-week open-label extension study of a group of 61 children and adolescents with ASD prescribed second-generation antipsychotic medications (SGAs) who previously participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of metformin for management of weight gain. Although Higdon et al. indicated that our study results were encouraging, they believed that the conclusion of the accompanying JAACAP editorial3 stating metformin be considered as an adjunct treatment for any child who is overweight and prescribed SGAs was premature. Instead, they recommended that the results of their current pragmatic trial for children with bipolar disorder (which includes some children with ASD and intellectual disability) would better provide information on relevant moderators and mediators of metformin's effects. Such information would be of use to clinicians in determining whether to prescribe metformin to their patients or to focus on lifestyle changes (or a combination of the 2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidence, largely in studies of ADHD, indicate game-based cognitive rehabilitation as a promising intervention for core cognitive deficits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. This pilot showed evidence of improvement in executive functioning based on Mega Team training. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. Gray matter differences linked to autism spectrum disorder have been studied using a variety of structural imaging methods, but yielded little consensus; the extent to which disparate results reflect differences in methodology or heterogeneity within autism spectrum disorder is not yet clear. Moreover, very few studies have examined gray matter changes as a function of age in autism spectrum disorder.Method: A detailed investigation of gray matter structural development was performed via voxel-based morphometry, cortical thickness, and cortical surface area analyses in 38 autism spectrum disorder versus 46 typically developing children.Results: Relative to typically developing children, the autism spectrum disorder group showed gray matter increases most prominently in the frontal and temporal lobes (including regions such as medial frontal gyrus, Broca's area and posterior temporal cortex), as well as certain parietal and occipital subcortical regions. Gray matter decreases were found only near the temporoparietal junction. Subcortical gray matter increases were found in the putamen and caudate nucleus, while decreases were found in cerebellum. There were age-dependent GM differences in distributed regions including prefrontal cortex, primary sensorimotor cortex, and temporoparietal junction.Conclusion: The results underline the distributed nature of gray matter structural differences in autism spectrum disorder and provide a more comprehensive characterization of autism spectrum disorder-related cortical and subcortical gray matter structural differences during childhood and adolescent development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Several neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with social processing deficits. The objective of this study was to compare patterns of social perception abilities across obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and control participants. Method: A total of 265 children completed the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test-Child Version (RMET). Parents or caregivers completed established trait/symptom scales. The predicted percentage of accuracy on the RMET was compared across disorders and by item difficulty and item valence (i.e., positive/negative/neutral mental states), then analyzed for associations with trait/symptom scores. Results: The percentage of correct RMET scores varied significantly between diagnostic groups (p < .0001). On pairwise group comparisons controlling for age and sex, children with ADHD and ASD scored lower than the other groups (p < .0001). When IQ was also controlled for in the model, participants with OCD performed better than controls (p < .001), although differences between other groups were less pronounced. Participants with ASD scored lowest on easy items. Those with ASD and ADHD scored significantly lower than other groups on items with positive valence (p < .01). Greater social communication impairment and hyperactivity/impulsivity, but not OCD traits/symptoms, were associated with lower scores on the RMET, irrespective of diagnosis. Conclusion: Social perception abilities in neurodevelopmental disorders exist along a continuum. Children with ASD have the greatest deficits, whereas children with OCD may be hypersensitive to social information. Social communication deficits and hyperactive/impulsive traits are associated with impaired social perception abilities; these findings highlight overlapping cognitive and behavioral manifestations across disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can demonstrate difficulties with inhibiting inappropriate social responses. Presently, little research has utilized socially relevant stimuli to explore the modulatory effects of emotion on cognitive control in this population. To assess neural mechanisms of inhibiting social stimuli, we presented images of happy or sad facial expressions in a Go/NoGo task to unmedicated adults with ASD and to controls during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Groups did not differ on behavioral measures. Brain activation in response to NoGo vs. Go trials revealed differing regional patterns of activation within groups. Controls recruited brain regions involved in inhibition (dorsal- [DLPFC] and ventro-lateral prefrontal cortices [VLPFC], anterior cingulate cortex [ACC]), response suppression (parietal lobe), interoceptive awareness (insula), and also the fusiform and middle temporal gyri. Adults with ASD only recruited the VLPFC and right fusiform gyrus, and weakly activated the ACC and insula. Between-group comparisons indicated that controls activated the DLPFC, while adults with ASD relied on the VLPFC and the fusiform gyrus to inhibit responses. Adults with ASD may have relied more on visual association cortex, possibly as a means of recruiting additional neural processes that could act as a compensatory mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Evidence from biochemical, imaging, and treatment studies suggest abnormalities of the serotonin system in autism spectrum disorders, in particular in frontolimbic areas of the brain. We used the radiotracers [11C]MDL 100907 and [11C]DASB to characterize the 5-HT2A receptor and serotonin transporter in Asperger''s Disorder. Seventeen individuals with Asperger''s Disorder (age=34.3±11.1years) and 17 healthy controls (age=33.0±9.6years) were scanned with [11C]MDL 100907. Of the 17 patients, eight (age=29.7±7.0years) were also scanned with [11C]DASB, as were eight healthy controls (age=28.7±7.0years). Patients with Asperger''s Disorder and healthy control subjects were matched for age, gender, and ethnicity, and all had normal intelligence. Metabolite-corrected arterial plasma inputs were collected and data analyzed by two-tissue compartment modeling. The primary outcome measure was regional binding potential BPND. Neither regional [11C]MDL 100907 BPND nor [11C]DASB BPND was statistically different between the Asperger''s and healthy subjects. This study failed to find significant alterations in binding parameters of 5-HT2A receptors and serotonin transporters in adult subjects with Asperger''s Disorder. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Oxytocin dysfunction might contribute to the development of social deficits in autism, a core symptom domain and potential target for intervention. This study explored the effect of intravenous oxytocin administration on the retention of social information in autism. Methods: Oxytocin and placebo challenges were administered to 15 adult subjects diagnosed with autism or Asperger’s disorder, and comprehension of affective speech (happy, indifferent, angry, and sad) in neutral content sentences was tested. Results: All subjects showed improvements in affective speech comprehension from pre- to post-infusion; however, whereas those who received placebo first tended to revert to baseline after a delay, those who received oxytocin first retained the ability to accurately assign emotional significance to speech intonation on the speech comprehension task. Conclusions: These results are consistent with studies linking oxytocin to social recognition in rodents as well as studies linking oxytocin to prosocial behavior in humans and suggest that oxytocin might facilitate social information processing in those with autism. These findings also provide preliminary support for the use of oxytocin in the treatment of autism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]