The contribution of environmental pollutants to the risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review of case-control studies.

Exposure to environmental pollutants, such as metals, pesticides, and air pollutants during early life, is a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our systematic review aimed to select and summarize more recent case-control studies that examined the association between prenatal and early postnatal exposure to environmental pollutants and NDDs. We searched five databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Ovid), screened 2261 records, and included 24 eligible case-control studies.

Editorial for Brian Sciences Special Issue "Epidemiology of ASD Services: Unmet Need, Barriers and Innovative Solutions".

We are very honoured by the collaboration we had with the editorial staff of for the realization of the special issue "Epidemiology of ASD Services: Unmet Need, Barriers and Innovative Solutions" [...

Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Italian Units of Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Diagnostic and Referral Pathways.

Overall, the present pilot study provides detailed information on clinical management for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) referral and diagnosis processes that are mandatory for child and adolescent mental health management. The analysis of ASD management, even if carried out on a selected sample of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) units, represents a good approximation of how, in Italian outpatient settings, children and adolescents with ASD are recognised and eventually diagnosed. One of the aims of the study was to verify the adherence of Italian CAMH units to international recommendations for ASD referral and diagnosis and whether these processes can be traced using individual chart reports.

The Impact of Health and Social Services on the Quality of Life in Families of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Focus Group Study.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that affects the whole family. The gap between childrens' needs and their satisfaction, especially regarding what concerns the presence of social and healthcare services, is still a source of burden, particularly after the transition to adulthood. Our study aimed to gather a comprehensive view on how parents of adults with ASD perceive (and interact with) health and social services, and how the provision of care impacts family quality of life with the aim to advise ASD intervention programs.

Selective reduction in the expression of type-1 metabotropic glutamate receptors in the hippocampus of adult rats born by caesarean section.

Perinatal hypoxia causes long-term neurobiological consequences, including alterations in mechanisms of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and cognitive dysfunction. Changes in neurotransmitter receptors have been associated with these alterations, but little is known on how early hypoxia influences the expression and function of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors in adult life. This is an important issue because mGlu receptors are implicated in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity.