Eyal Ben-David and Sagiv Shifman, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
It is widely understood that different genes interact with environmental factors to influence autism, but new research finds a common ground as the various genes involved in autism appear to influence special processes in the brain.
Autism is influenced by many different genes, and different genes are involved in different individuals, making it hard to find the common genetic ground between patients. Read More
Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have discovered a process by which depletion of a specific protein in the brain contributes to the memory problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease. These findings provide new insights into the disease’s development and may lead to new therapies that could benefit the millions of people worldwide suffering from Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders including autism. Read More
Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN-KNAW) have discovered how the adult brain can adapt to new situations. Their study may be significant in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia.
Young brains are capable of forming many new synapses, and are consequently better at learning new things. That is why we acquire vital skills – walking, talking, hearing and seeing – early on in life. The adult brain stabilizes the synapses so that we can use what we have learned in childhood for the rest of our lives. Read More
A recent study has found several genes associated with autism and discovered evidence for a shared genetic mechanism in both autism and fragile X syndrome. Fragile X syndrome is a genetic condition involving changes in part of the X chromosome and is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. Read More
ICare4Autism is holding a very special gala reception on Thursday, 7th of June, 2012. The gala is in honor of Dr. Eric Hollander, Director of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Program at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about plans for world’s first Global Autism Center, which will open on a five acre campus on Mt. Scopus in Jerusalem, in 2015. Read More
An editorial published in Environmental Health Perspectives calls for increased research to identify possible environmental causes of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in America’s children and presents a list of ten target chemicals including which are considered highly likely to contribute to these conditions.
Philip Landrigan, MD, MSc, a world-renowned leader in children’s environmental health and Director of the Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC) at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, co-authored the editorial, entitled “A Research Strategy to Discover the Environmental Causes of Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities,” along with Luca Lambertini, PhD, MPH, MSc, Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine at Mount Sinai and Linda Birnbaum, Director of the National Institute OF Environmental Health Sciences.
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A simple urine test could lead to earlier autism diagnoses after researchers used it to identify one-third of the children with autism spectrum disorder in a new study.
Furthermore, this kind of research could lead to better treatments for a subset of children with elevated levels of certain compounds in their urine, said James Woods, a researcher at the University of Washington who worked with Battelle researchers on the project. Read More
While previous research has shown that full siblings of children with autism are at a high risk of having autism, Half-siblings also have an increased risk of the disorder, according to a recent study that provides new genetic clues about autism. Read More
Researchers, Educators and Policymakers Meet in Jerusalem to Combat Escalating Crisis
Attendees at past ICare4Autism International Autism Conference
On August 1-2, 2012, more than 1,500 leaders in autism research, educationand policy from every continent will gather in Jerusalem, Israel, for ICare4Autism‘s 2012 International Conference, “Autism: A Global Perspective“.
Dr.Joshua Weinstein, CEO & Founder indicated that the, “Conference will highlight groundbreaking research into the causes and treatments of Autism Spectrum Disorders, and serve as a catalyst for powerful new collaborations to tackle the global autism crisis”. Read More
14 young scientists are participating in the Harvard Catalyst KL2 Medical Investigator Research Training (MeRIT) program, and will spend the next two years conducting clinical and translational research to learn more about the origins of ASD in children.
Among them will be Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) neuroscientist Lindsay Oberman, PhD, using noninvasive brain stimulation and neuroimaging tools to study the brain in children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Read More
