ICare4Autism Adviser Advocates With “1000 Ausome Things” Flashblog Today

By ICare4Autism | Published: May 1, 2013

Today, Ariana Zurcher is hosting the Autism Positivity 2013 Flashblog event where anyone can contribute, seasoned blogger or not. This year’s theme is 1000 Ausome Things. The community-building project is a beautiful way to conclude Autism Awareness Month. Ariane Zurcher champions autism rights across the blogosphere with her personal writings, Emma’s Hope Book, and her contributions to widely circulated resources like the Huffington Post. Zurcher began her saga with autism when her daughter, Emma, was diagnosed. She works to expose the mistreatment of autistics, dissemination of misleading resources for caregivers of autistics, and the cultural assumptions of disability as unable, rather than differently able. 

In her Huffington Post article, “What I Wish I’d Been Made Aware of When My Daughter Was Diagnosed With Autism” and her journalistic writings shared in Emma’s Hope Book, Zurcher accentuates the “ausome” qualities of autism. She demands that autism not be seen as a disease, but a people, like any other, with there own strengths and strangeness. She encourages skepticism of experts who claim knowledge of causes or treatment. Throughout Zurcher’s writings, she maintains a motto of confidence: confidence in your child’s competency, confidence in non-verbal communication (whether guided or intuitive), and confidence in your ability as caregiver.

The International Center for Autism Research & Education feels blessed to have Ariana Zurcher among our advisory committee, providing her scrupulously honest opinions.

To read the inspiring, reflective contributions of a community of caregivers, advocates, and autistics themselves or to share something ausome—visit Autism Positivity today.

 

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Possible Association Between Ultrasounds & Autism

By ICare4Autism | Published: April 30, 2013

Jennifer Margulis, author of The Business of Baby, exposes the cultural assumptions and institutional practices dictating pregnancy, childbirth, and infant nurturing as influenced by corporate interests rather than based on the best medical evidence. Margulis is a Senior Fellow at Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University, and an award winning parenting writer. In an article yesterday for Newsweek: The Daily Beast, Margulis expresses informed skepticism regarding the health risks of the casual use of ultrasounds during pregnancy. Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), formerly referred to as retardation, is among conditions that physicians utilize ultrasound technology to identify during pregnancy. However, ultrasounds themselves may be associated with the development of IUGR and they may not be any more instrumental in identifying them than palpation of the pregnant woman’s abdomen. Former director of Women’s and Children’s Health at the World Health Organization firmly asserted the later claim saying, “There is no justification for clinicians using routine ultrasound during pregnancy for the management of IUGR.” A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine compared outcomes for children of pregnant women who received two scans with that of those who received scans only when other medical indicators necessitated further investigation, finding that ultrasound scan has no positive bearing on fetal outcome. Explaining the discrepancy between utility and use may be the over $1 billion additional annual cost of routine ultrasounds in the U.S. To add injury to insult, a study published in Lancet found that women who received five ultrasounds had a significantly higher chance of developing intrauterine growth restriction than women who received one scan at eighteen weeks. One possible explanation for this association was found through a 2006 study conducted by neuroscientist Pasko Rakic M.D. and Yale University School of Medicine, finding that prenatal exposure to ultrasound waves affects the way that neurons arrange in the brains of mice. Though these findings are part of a larger, ongoing study utilizing primate brains, researcher Rakic considered the data too significant to withhold until the outcome of the larger study, warning, “We should be using the same care with ultrasound as with X-rays.” For Margulis’ full article, visit here or go to www.jennifermargulis.net additional writings regarding parenting and health.

 

Margulis, Jennifer. “Are Ultrasounds Causing Autism in Unborn Babies?” The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, 29 Apr. 2013. Web. 30 Apr. 2013. <http://www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/2013/04/29/are-ultrasounds-causing-autism-in-unborn-babies.html>.

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New, Refined Research Holds Promise For Early Detection Through Blood Test

By ICare4Autism | Published: April 29, 2013

New research by the laboratory services company SynapDx aims to develop a blood test that accurately distinguishes between children who have autism spectrum disorders and those who have other developmental disorders. Based on research findings in 2012 that suggest blood as an indicator of gene expression associated with autism. The 2012 study analyzed the differences in expression of 55 genes from blood samples of 170 children with autism and 115 without. The average age of study participants was 8, while the average age of autism diagnoses is 4.5 years. While the research findings proved the blood test accurate in identifying autism among two-thirds of the sample, these findings are not strong enough to be reliable indicators and they do not take into account early detection because of the population age.

SynapDx acquired this blood test method in hopes of focusing study goals on distinguishing between autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disorders to increase early detection and subsequently early interventions. The study design has potential for greater reliability, with a larger population and sample location of 660 participants from 20 facilities throughout the United States and greater consideration regarding age of participants. If the test proves accurate in identifying autism spectrum disorder in particular among other developmental delays, earlier interventions can be enacted to aid in communication and motor skill ability before children fall too far behind neurotypical children. However, the sheer reliability of a test does not necessitate that doctors will utilize the resource. A similar blood test developed for schizophrenia in 2012 showed 83% accuracy for indication of schizophrenia, but physicians did not find the test advantageous for diagnosing the psychiatric disease and the test fell from the market. The practicality of the blood test to distinguish ASD from other developmental disorders will be instrumental for physicians if it proves reliable for early detection, or detection prior to behavioral manifestation.

SynapDx’s new study began last week. Stay tuned for further developments on the early detection front and share your opinions below. For study details, see SynapDx’s official description.

 

 

Rettner, Rachael. “Could a Blood Test Detect Autism? Study Aims to Answer.”MyHealthNewsDaily.com. N.p., 26 Apr. 2013. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/3769-autism-blood-test.html>.

 

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Possible Biomarker: Yale Researcher Finds Substantial Difference In Placenta For Children At-Risk For Autism Spectrum Disorders

By ICare4Autism | Published: April 26, 2013

A recent study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry holds promise for a biomarker visible at birth: placenta folds. Until recent research regarding protein discrepancies and inflammation discernable in placentas, the fetal-packaging has generally discarded after birth. Considered to be simple bodily waste, the placenta is today only analyzed after 10-15% of births, usually inspected only after birth complications. Lead author of the study, Dr. Harvey J. Kliman of Yale School of Medicine, comments on the speculation his research proposal received from the medical community telling the New York Times that studying placentas was seen on par with “someone in the Navy wanting to scrub ships’ toilets with a toothbrush.”[i] Even co-author Dr. Cheryl K. Walker of The University of California’s Mind Institute admits hesitation in joining Kliman’s research team, believing him “a bit overzealous.”i But Walker claims the results were astonishing. Walker provided Kliman with 217 placenta samples, 117 of which were considered at-risk for autism because of sibling outcomes or familial history. Kliman analyzed the placentas for trophoblast inclusions, or abnormal folds, finding that 77 of the high-risk placentas had inclusions, with 48 having two or more, and 16 having between 5 and 15. This dispersion is significant in comparison to the low-risk placentas, two-thirds of which had no inclusions, and none of which had more than two. The children belonging to the placentas of the study are now between 2 and 5 years of age, so the researchers are waiting to draw conclusions regarding the rate of autism within the sample for at least another year to ensure accurate diagnoses.  If the association between trophoblast inclusions and autism spectrum disorder is found, then placentas could serve as a biomarker upon birth allowing parents to engage early interventions.


[i] “Study Ties Autism Risk to Creases in Placenta.” New York Times. N.p., 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/health/study-ties-autism-risk-to-creases-in-placenta.html>.

 

 

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Twin Study Finds Biological Mediator Between Environmental Influence & Genetic Expression

By ICare4Autism | Published: April 25, 2013

A new study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry identifies patterns of epigenetic changes associated with autism by examining genetically identical twins with varying autism traits. This model allows the researchers to examine how environment regulates gene activity and affects neurological development. Lead author of the study, Professor Jonathan Mill of King’s College London, comments on the significance of the study saying, “Research into the intersection between genetic and environmental influences is crucial because risky environmental conditions can sometimes be avoided or changed.” Existing research suggests that genes associated with brain development contribute to autism spectrum disorders. However, 30% of incidents where one identical twin has ASD, the other twin does not. This significant proportion of cases suggests epigenetic changes, which influence gene activity without altering DNA sequences. The researchers examined DNA methylation, an epigenetic mechanism that blocks gene activity, from over 27,000 sites in the genome. DNA methylation presence at certain sites showed significant correlation to certain symptoms of ASD and the number of DNA methylation sites across the genome was associated with the severity of manifested symptoms. Study author Dr. Chloe Wong asserts that these associations “give us insight into the biological mechanism mediating the interaction between gene and environment in autism spectrum disorders.” If DNA methylation is the mediator between environmental influence and genetic expression, then we need only determine the environmental influence in order to prevent and potentially reverse epigenetic changes. These findings offer considerable hope for the future of autism research.

 

London, King\’s College. “The Role Of Epigenetic Influences In Autism.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/259530.php>

 

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Anti-Epileptic Drug Use During Pregnancy Associated With Autism

By ICare4Autism | Published: April 24, 2013

A Danish, population-based study followed 655,615 children born from 1996 to 2006 through December 2010 to measure the association between use of the anti-epileptic medication valproate and autism spectrum disorders. 5,437 of these children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders during the study, with an average age of 8.8 years at follow-up. Of these diagnoses, the researchers found an absolute risk of 4.42% for autism spectrum disorder associated with the use of the drug. Because the found association is moderate, researchers are being conservative in warning against the use of the drug for women who may require epilepsy control. However, the research group reported in the April 24th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association saying, “because autism spectrum disorders are serious conditions with lifelong implications for affected children and their families, even a moderate increase in risk may have a major health importance.”[i] Emory University researchers Kimford Meador, MD, and David Loring, PhD, responded to the findings suggesting that because of the high incidence of unplanned pregnancies, “Women of childbearing potential should be informed of the potential risks of fetal valproate exposure before valproate is prescribed.”i The study found that women who had been taking valproate prior to pregnancy and discontinued use during pregnancy yielded less risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring than women who continued use of the drug. While the study utilized a large population and reliable data, specifications of dosage, alcohol consumption, folic acid supplementation, and precise schedule of use were not examined. The authors assert a need for further research into the strength of the found association.

 


[i] Phend, Crystal. “Autism Tied to Valproate in Pregnancy.” Med Page Today. N.p., 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. <http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/Autism/38640>.

 

“Use of Anti-Epileptic Drug During Pregnancy Associated With Increased Risk of Autism.” Science Daily. N.p., 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130423161855.htm>.

 

 

 

 

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Mommy & Me: Maternal Depression Associated With ASD

By ICare4Autism | Published: April 23, 2013

New research published this week finds associations between parental depression, maternal use of antidepressants during pregnancy, and autism spectrum disorders in offspring. The Swedish study utilized a population based, case-control method testing both the affects of antidepressants and depression itself on the risk of ASD. Researchers found that a history of maternal depression increases risk of ASD in offspring, but paternal depression is not significantly associated. Use of antidepressants was found to increase risk as well, but the relationship explains less than 1% of autism cases and may be more contingent on depression than medication. While the study reveals modest risk indicators, it does provide two helpful paths for future research. Firstly, the distinction between paternal and maternal depression as indicators for ASD in offspring suggests that the association between parental depression and ASD is a physiological repercussion as opposed to a genetic disposition. Recent trends in research are targeting the affects of stress and inflammation during pregnancy on development. While it seems logical that a drug intended to alter the psychological functioning of a mother would subsequently affect the neurological development of a child in womb, the evidence suggests that the depression itself could be causing physiological changes. If this is the case, then antidepressants may ultimately be more beneficial in counteracting the subsequent effects of stress than harmful in introducing foreign chemicals. Secondly, the associations between depression and ASD were primarily found without intellectual disability, suggesting different causes for autism with and without intellectual disability. To read the whole study, click here. Share your opinion on options and resources for mothers with depression here.

 

“Parental Depression, Maternal Antidepressant Use during Pregnancy, and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Population Based Case-control Study.” Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. <http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f2059>.

 

 

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New Test of Evolutionary Adaptation Shows Genes Related to Neurological Developmental Disorders Being Positively Selected

By ICare4Autism | Published: April 22, 2013

Researchers from The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and The Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics have designed a strategy for testing evolutionary adaptation (i.e. which genes are more likely to be passed on) and employed the strategy to identify genetic alterations affiliated with speech and language disorders. The study focused on the FOXP2 genetic region, which is known to affect speech and language, and aimed to understand the variants of FOXP2 genes that are being positively selected. The researchers remarked confidently regarding the outcome of the test, which found FOXP2 selection prominent among Europeans. More significantly, the strand of FOXP2-regulated genes that is being selected in Europeans is crucial for neurological development, cell reproduction, and immunity. The discrepancy in gene selection between Europeans and the Asian and African populations in the study could be attributed to long-term adaptation to the regions environment or exposure to pathogens. However, all the populations in the study showed evidence of propagating two genes associated with neurodevelopment disorders, such as autism, CNTNAP2 and RBFOX1. The evidence of a relationship between neurodevelopmental disorders and particular genes, in conjunction with the trends of genetic adaptation favoring these genes, provides grounds for further study of this gene selection, which could lead to prevention. Senior researcher Dr. Chris Tyler-Smith comments on the study’s contribution saying, “Our method is opening doors to understanding how modern humans have genetically adapted to their local environments and finding candidate genes to study biological function.” [i]These research findings link the parallel efforts of identifying cause in either nature or nurture, suggesting that the genes associated with developmental disorders are being positively selected because of our environment (whether that be contemporary toxins like chemicals and pollutants, or developing strands of viruses and bacteria).


[i] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. “Evolving Genes.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 22 Apr. 2013. Web.
22 Apr. 2013. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/259359.php>

 

 

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Link Between ASD Protein Mutations & Brain Signaling Opens Doors To Treatment

By ICare4Autism | Published: April 19, 2013

A recent study found a link between a protein associated with autism and the signaling system between neurons, which opens up a new area of autism research and suggests potential for treating ASD symptoms. The study was conducted by Dr. Südhof and Dr. Malenka at Stanford University and published in the online journal Neuron on April 11. The researchers mutated and controlled levels of the protein associated with autism (neuroligin-3) in mice and observed the neurological affects. Findings revealed an association between variations in neuroligin-3 levels and endocannabinoid signals, which “tone down communication between neurons.” This conclusion suggests potential treatment for the symptoms of ASD by limiting the endocannabinoid signals artificially.  One such treatment is the repurposing of Rimonabant, a pharmaceutical drug intended to treat obesity that was recalled for certain psychiatric concerns. The drug acts on the endocannabinoid system and the side-effects observed during trial for obesity may actually be the desired effects to treat autism symptoms. Additionally, the endocannabinoid system is the primary system affected by marijuana’s active chemical, cannabis. Rimonabant and cannabis are being tested and considered for treatment options. Senior author of the research study, Südhof, asserts that in addition to opening doors to potential treatment options, the association between the protein neuroligin-3 and the endocannabinoid system “may suggest novel strategies for understanding the underlying causes of complex brain disorders.”[i] To read the whole research study, visit the online journal Neuron.  For more on Rimonabant research, visit Medical News Today.


[i] “Mutations Found in Individuals With Autism Interfere With Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Brain.” Science Daily. N.p., 11 Apr. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2013. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130411123852.htm>.

 

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Special Education Expert Presents Music Education Strategies & Strengths

By ICare4Autism | Published: April 17, 2013

Special education expert, Stephen Shore Ed.D., held a workshop on music education for children on the autism spectrum this Tuesday at our partner organization Shema Kolainu Hear Our Voices. Shore completed his doctoral degree in special education at Boston University and now teaches at Adelphi University in New York. Having been diagnosed on the autism spectrum and non-verbal until the age of 4, Shore brings a unique perspective to the field of special education. He attributes much of his success to the comprehensive interventions his parents guided and the music education he received from an early age. Subsequently, his approach to education is one of both specialization and inclusion. Shore’s strategies are developed particularly for the varying abilities of autistics, but are applicable for neurotypical education as well, allowing for integrated classrooms. While music is often recognized for it’s therapeutic benefits, Shore’s focus is not therapy, but structured, sustained education. Today’s workshop demonstrated the potential of music education to increase communicative abilities, strengthen neurological development in youth, foster social inclusion, and provide potential career paths for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Shore charismatically relayed stories of his students’ astonishing talents. One anecdote told of a non-verbal young man who, when guided hand-over-hand while playing piano, sang clear as day. Shore suggests that the structure, support, and focus the student experienced while guided to play the piano enabled him to sing, though he could not speak typically. Drawing from examples of students demonstrating expert knowledge in areas, who are unable to express understanding through certain mediums, Shore makes the case for specialized assessments in education in general, not just for students with developmental disabilities.

Check out Dr. Stephen Shore’s work and many publications at his website: http://www.autismasperger.net/. The workshop, ‘Music for Children on the Autism Spectrum,’ will be streaming soon—stay tuned to see Dr. Stephen Shore speak and receive guided information on how to accommodate your child’s needs and accentuate his/her strengths through music education.

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