Augmentation of Endogenous 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Mitigates Autistic Behaviors of BTBR Mice.

The lipid-based endocannabinoid (eCB) system regulates a host of developmental, physiological, and pathological processes in the mammalian brain, and recent studies have suggested that dysfunction of eCB system may contribute to the neuropathology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, specific contributions to ASD-related developmental, cognitive, and behavioral phenotypes remain largely unexplored. The current study was designed to investigate if enhancing eCB signaling by blocking 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) hydrolase can mitigate ASD-like behaviors in a mouse model, and if such effects are associated with suppression of inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress, or neuronal apoptosis.

Mental health issues in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: A multi-time-point study related to COVID-19 pandemic.

Given the unpredictability and challenges brought about by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this study aimed to investigate the impact trend of the prolonged pandemic on the mental health of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The 8112 participants included parents of children with ASD and parents of typically developing (TD) children at two sites (Heilongjiang and Fujian province, China). The parents completed a set of self-report questionnaires covering demographic characteristics, influences related to COVID-19, COVID-19 concerns and perceived behaviors, as well as the Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS) by means of an online survey platform.