Increased discrimination of “false memories” in autism spectrum disorder

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have impaired ability to use context, which may manifest as alterations of relatedness within the semantic network. However, impairment in context use may be more difficult to detect in high-functioning adults with ASD. To test context use in this population, we examined the influence of context on memory by using the “false memory” test. In the false memory task, lists of words were presented to high-functioning subjects with ASD and matched controls. Each list consists of words highly related to an index word not on the list. Subjects are then given a recognition test. Positive responses to the index words represent false memories. We found that individuals with ASD are able to discriminate false memory items from true items significantly better than are control subjects. Memory in patients with ASD may be more accurate than in normal individuals under certain conditions. These results also suggest that semantic representations comprise a less distributed network in high-functioning adults with ASD. Furthermore, these results may be related to the unusually high memory capacities found in some individuals with ASD. Research directed at defining the range of tasks performed superiorly by high-functioning individuals with ASD will be important for optimal vocational rehabilitation.

Stress management in mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder : psychological characteristics, coping strategies and biological correlates

Un figlio con un Disturbo dello Spettro Autistico, caratterizzato da gravi difficoltà nelle relazioni, nei comportamenti e nella comunicazione, costringe tutto il sistema familiare a gestire un notevole stress dovuto alla gestione quotidiana di una patologia così complessa. Per questi motivi, i genitori necessitano di un sostegno il più possibile personalizzato rispetto alle caratteristiche del loro contesto familiare. Per fare questo sarebbe importante individuare quali siano i parametri correlati ai livelli di stress nei familiari di pazienti con autismo e che potrebbero avere un’influenza sul benessere familiare. Lo scopo di questo studio è quello di valutare quali caratteristiche di personalità, stili di coping e capacità di gestire le emozioni possano essere in relazione con la reattività individuale alle situazioni di stress, valutata attraverso alcuni correlati biologici, quali il livello di cortisolo (l’ormone dello stress) e la variabilità della frequenza cardiaca. L’ottica di ricerca applicata fa sì che gli obiettivi ultimi di questo lavoro siano anche quelli di diminuire l’accesso ai servizi per questi soggetti, considerando il fatto che progetti individualizzati di sostegno genitoriale costituiscono un fattore protettivo rispetto a conseguenze fisiche e psicologiche di disagio se implementati tenendo conto della variabilità individuale rispetto alle caratteristiche sopra citate.

Diagnóstico da exposição fetal ao álcool através de biomarcadores em mecônio

A grande prevalência do consumo de álcool por mulheres em idade reprodutiva aliada à gravidez não planejada expõe a gestante a um elevado risco de se alcoolizar em algum momento da gestação, principalmente no início do período gestacional em que a maioria delas ainda não tomou ciência do fato. Assim, torna-se extremamente relevante o desenvolvimento de métodos de detecção precoce de recém-nascidos em risco de desenvolvimento de problemas do espectro dos transtornos relacionados à exposição fetal ao álcool. O objetivo desse estudo foi desenvolver, validar e avaliar a eficácia de um método de quantificação de ésteres etílicos de ácidos graxos (FAEEs) no mecônio de recém-nascidos para avaliação da exposição fetal ao álcool. Os FAEEs avaliados foram: palmitato de etila, estearato de etila, oleato de etila e linoleato de etila.O método consistiu no preparo das amostras pela extração líquido-líquido utilizando água, acetona e hexano, seguida de extração em fase sólida empregando cartuchos de aminopropilsilica. A separação e quantificação dos analitos foi realizada por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas. Os limites de quantificação (LQ) variaram entre 50-100ng/g. A curva de calibração foi linear de LQ até 2000ng/g para todos os analitos. A recuperação variou de 69,79% a 106,57%. Os analitos demonstraram estabilidade no ensaio de pós-processamento e em solução. O método foi aplicado em amostras de mecônio de 160 recém-nascidos recrutados em uma maternidade pública de Ribeirão Preto-SP. O consumo de álcool materno foi reportado utilizando questionários de rastreamento validados T-ACE e AUDIT e relatos retrospectivos da quantidade e frequência de álcool consumida ao longo da gestação. A eficácia do método analítico em identificar os casos positivos foi determinada pela curva Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC). O consumo alcoólico de risco foi identificado pelo T-ACE em 31,3% das participantes e 50% reportaram o uso de álcool durante a gestação. 51,3% dos recém-nascidos apresentaram FAEEs em seu mecônio, sendo que 33,1% apresentaram altas concentrações para a somatória dos FAEEs (maior que 500ng/g), compatível com um consumo abusivo de álcool. O oleato de etila foi o biomarcador mais prevalente e o linoleato de etila foi o biomarcador que apresentou as maiores concentrações. Houve uma variabilidade no perfil de distribuição dos FAEEs entre os indivíduos, e discordâncias entre a presença de FAEEs e o consumo reportado pela mãe. A concentração total dos FAEEs nos mecônio mostrou-se como melhor indicador da exposição fetal ao álcool quando comparado com o uso de um único biomarcador. O ponto de corte para esta população foi de aproximadamente 600ng/g para uso tipo binge (três ou mais doses por ocasião) com sensibilidade de 71,43% e especificidade de 84,37%. Este estudo reforça a importância da utilização de métodos laboratoriais na identificação da exposição fetal ao álcool.

An un-mounted horse care group for children and youth with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Recommendations for program development and treatment intervention

Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) including Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) and un-mounted equine assisted activities are interventions aimed at improving the daily functioning and success of individuals with disabilities, including those with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While THR is frequently utilized as a treatment intervention for children with ASD, there are many limitations (individual's weight, horse health, weather, physical limitations, health conditions, etc.) that prevent this population from participating in mounted programs. Un-mounted equine assisted activities are often utilized as an alternative, but they are not informed by empirical research or a standardized treatment model. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature for EAAT including un-mounted programs, examination of organizational guidelines as they apply to un-mounted programs, and consultation with program directors regarding current practices in the field, and finally it establishes recommendations for the development of a standard curriculum that would strengthen un-mounted horse care group programs serving children with ASD.

HELPING YOUTH WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER DEVELOP SOCIAL COMPETENCE IN COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS

The purpose of the current dissertation is to identify the features of effective interventions by exploring the experiences of youth with ASD who participate in such interventions, through two intervention studies (Studies 1 and 2) and one interview study (Study 3). Studies 1 and 2 were designed to support the development of social competence of youth with ASD through Structured Play with LEGO TM (Study 1, 12 youths with ASD, ages 7–12) and Minecraft TM (Study 2, 4 youths with ASD, ages 11–13). Over the course of the sessions, the play of the youth developed from parallel play (children playing alone, without interacting) to co-operative play (playing together with shared objectives). The results of Study 2 showed that rates of initiations and levels of engagement increased from the first session to the final session. In Study 3, 12 youths with ASD (ages 10–14) and at least one of their parents were interviewed to explore what children and their parents want from programs designed to improve social competence, which activities and practices were perceived to promote social competence by the participants, and which factors affected their decisions regarding these programs. The adolescents and parents looked for programs that supported social development and emotional wellbeing, but did not always have access to the programs they would have preferred, with factors such as cost and location reducing their options. Three overarching themes emerged through analysis of the three studies: (a) interests of the youth; (b) structure, both through interactions and instruction; and (c) naturalistic settings. Adolescents generally engage more willingly in interventions that incorporate their interests, such as play with Minecraft TM in Study 2. Additionally, Structured Play and structured instruction were crucial components of providing safe and supportive contexts for the development of social competence. Finally, skills learned in naturalistic settings tend to be applied more successfully in everyday situations. The themes are analysed through the lens of Vygotsky’s (1978) perspectives on learning, play, and development. Implications of the results for practitioners and researchers are discussed.

Comorbidity Between Major Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder From Adolescence to Adulthood

Background—Limited information exists regarding the long-term development of comorbidity between Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD; abuse/dependence). Using a representative prospective study, we examine multiple aspects pertaining to MDD+AUD comorbidity, with a focus on the relation between disorders across periods (adolescence, early adulthood, adulthood) and cumulative impairments by age 30. Method—816 participants were diagnostically interviewed at ages 16, 17, 24, and 30. Results—Rates of comorbid MDD+AUD were low in adolescence (2%), but increased in early adulthood (10%) and adulthood (7%). Rates of cumulative comorbidity were elevated (21%). Most individuals with a history of MDD or AUD had the other disorder, except for women with MDD. Prospectively, adolescent AUD predicted early adult MDD, while early adult MDD predicted adult AUD. Compared to pure disorders, MDD+AUD was associated with higher risk of alcohol dependence, suicide attempt, lower global functioning, and life dissatisfaction. Conclusions—Lifetime rates of comorbid MDD+AUD were considerably higher than in crosssectional studies. Comorbidity was partly explained by bidirectional and developmentally-specific associations and predicted selected rather than generalized impairments. Clinically, our findings emphasize the need to always carefully assess comorbidity in patients with MDD or AUD, taking into account concurrency and developmental timing.

Increased frequency of the autism broader phenotype in mothers transmitting etiological CNVs to sons affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a frequent and complex neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by impairments in social communication and repetitive behaviors and with a high male to female ratio: ~4:1. Genetic factors, including rare Copy Number Variants (CNVs), have a substantial impact in ASD risk 1, and are associated with specific phenotypic manifestations 2. Recent studies reported that rare inherited CNVs are enriched in mothers of ASD children compared with mothers of controls and are preferentially transmitted from mothers to ASD children suggesting a sex bias in CNV transmission; further, the imbalanced transmission of small pathogenic CNVs from unaffected mothers to their sons with ASD has been described 3, 4. An increased prevalence of autism - like personality traits is found in unaffected relatives of ASD children, suggesting a genetic liability of a broader autism phenotype (BAP) 5. The BAP in parents of autistic children can be assessed by the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) 6 and Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ) 7 reports . The SRS is 65 - item questionnaire to identify sub - clinical social impairments and interpersonal behaviour in individuals . The BAPQ is a 36 - item questionnaire measures social aloofness, rigid personality, and pragmatic language deficits in both parents and children.

Comorbidity Between Major Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder From Adolescence to Adulthood

Background—Limited information exists regarding the long-term development of comorbidity between Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD; abuse/dependence). Using a representative prospective study, we examine multiple aspects pertaining to MDD+AUD comorbidity, with a focus on the relation between disorders across periods (adolescence, early adulthood, adulthood) and cumulative impairments by age 30. Method—816 participants were diagnostically interviewed at ages 16, 17, 24, and 30. Results—Rates of comorbid MDD+AUD were low in adolescence (2%), but increased in early adulthood (10%) and adulthood (7%). Rates of cumulative comorbidity were elevated (21%). Most individuals with a history of MDD or AUD had the other disorder, except for women with MDD. Prospectively, adolescent AUD predicted early adult MDD, while early adult MDD predicted adult AUD. Compared to pure disorders, MDD+AUD was associated with higher risk of alcohol dependence, suicide attempt, lower global functioning, and life dissatisfaction. Conclusions—Lifetime rates of comorbid MDD+AUD were considerably higher than in crosssectional studies. Comorbidity was partly explained by bidirectional and developmentally-specific associations and predicted selected rather than generalized impairments. Clinically, our findings emphasize the need to always carefully assess comorbidity in patients with MDD or AUD, taking into account concurrency and developmental timing.

Identification and care of fetal alcohol-exposed children : a guide for primary-care providers.

"Printed 1999"--P. [4] of cover.

Changes in prevalence of parent-reported autism spectrum disorder in school-aged U.S. children: 2007 to 2011-2012 /

Mode of access: Internet.

Annual progress report : service for persons with autism spectrum disorder : report to the Governor and General Assembly /

"Consistent with PA 93-773."

Predicting Successful Dental Examination for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Maternal alcohol use disorder and offspring ADHD: disentangling genetic and environmental effects using a children-of-twins design

Background. Children of alcoholics are significantly more likely to experience high-risk environmental exposures, including prenatal substance exposure, and are more likely to exhibit externalizing problems [e.g. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)]. While there is evidence that genetic influences and prenatal nicotine and/or alcohol exposure play separate roles in determining risk of ADHD, little has been done on determining the joint roles that genetic risk associated with maternal alcohol use disorder (AUD) and prenatal risk factors play in determining risk of ADHD. Method. Using a children-of-twins design, diagnostic telephone interview data from high-risk families (female monozygotic and dizygotic twins concordant or discordant for AUD as parents) and control families targeted from a large Australian twin cohort were analyzed using logistic regression models. Results. Offspring of twins with a history of AUD, as well as offspring of non-AUD monozygotic twins whose co-twin had AUD, were significantly more likely to exhibit ADHD than offspring of controls. This pattern is consistent with a genetic explanation for the association between maternal AUD and increased offspring risk of ADHD. Adjustment for prenatal smoking, which remained significantly predictive, did not remove the significant genetic association between maternal AUD and offspring ADHD. Conclusions. While maternal smoking during pregnancy probably contributes to the association between maternal AUD and offspring ADHD risk, the evidence for a significant genetic correlation suggests: (i) pleiotropic genetic effects, with some genes that influence risk of AUD also influencing vulnerability to ADHD; or (ii) ADHD is a direct risk-factor for AUD.

Stepping Stones Triple P: A pilot study to evaluate acceptability of the program by parents of a child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

The experience of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in standard parenting programs has not been researched, although anecdotal evidence suggests that they do not find them acceptable. Forty-two parents of children with ASD were asked to view a DVD explaining individual parenting strategies from Stepping Stones, a new branch of the Triple P program targeted specifically at parents of children with disabilities. Parents were asked to rate each strategy for acceptability, usability and behavioural intention, i.e., their intention to use the strategy. Additionally, parental attributions and parental perceived control were explored as possible barriers to positive evaluations of Stepping Stones parenting strategies. A focus group of parents was used to gather more detailed parent response to the program. Parent responses to the program were generally positive and attribution of the child's behaviour to uncontrollable factors was found to predict higher ratings of usability. The results were interpreted within the context of Weiner's attributional theory and the theory of reasoned action. The limitations of this study and suggestions for future research are discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.