Outcomes of an emotion regulation intervention group in young adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Individuals on the autism spectrum experience difficulties in social relationships and emotion regulation. The aim of the present exploratory research study was to develop and explore the effectiveness of a manualized emotion regulation group intervention for autistic adults to improve emotion regulation and social communication. The group participants included seven young adults (age > 18 years) on the autism spectrum.

Sexuality in the Autism Spectrum Study (SASS): Reports from Young Adults and Parents.

Previous research indicates that although those with ASD desire sexual relationships, they may not effectively engage in romantic and intimate interactions. The purpose of this study was to compare reports from young adults with ASD and parents from the same families on the young adult's sexual behavior, experiences, knowledge, and communication. 100 young adults (18-30 years) and parents completed an online survey.

Life After an Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis: A Comparison of Stress and Coping Profiles of African American and Euro-American Caregivers.

The purpose of the present study was to understand how caregiver stress and coping behaviors impact African American and Euro-American families differently when caring for a child with autism. This study used discriminate function analysis to contrast the stress and coping profiles of Euro-American caregivers who are more acculturated with the majority culture with African American caregivers who ascribe to more traditional values. A sample of 103 families was recruited (52 Euro-American, 51 African American).

Clinical considerations for the inclusion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder in clinical trials.

Diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have increased considerably over the past 20 years. Because of this rise and the inherent complexity of ASD, there is a need for an increased number of scientifically valid basic and clinical research studies addressing this disorder. This manuscript serves as an introduction to the clinical presentation of ASD as well as the unique challenges and modifications required to conduct clinical research with this population.

Autism spectrum disorder in Latin American families: Experiences in Chile.

Introduction: The present study provides pilot data investigating relationships between severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits, community supports, and other family variables as reported by caregivers of children with ASD in Chile.

Method: An anonymous caregiver survey was developed based on previous ASD survey studies conducted in the United States and direct input from collaborators residing in Chile. Participants included Chilean caregivers of individuals with ASD (N = 50; M = 6.

Neuromotor and cognitive responses of adults with autism spectrum disorder compared to neurotypical adults.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, whose core symptom domains include impaired social communication and narrowed interests and/or repetitive behaviors; in addition, deficits of general cognition, neuromotor function, and movement ability can be observed. This study was designed to examine differences in neuromotor and cognitive functions for a group of young adults with ASD and age-matched controls. It was also of interest to assess whether changes in the intra-individual variability (IIV) of these selected neuromotor and cognitive tasks also occurred.

Sugarcoated Perineuronal Nets Regulate "GABAergic" Transmission: Bittersweet Hypothesis in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Fast-spiking, parvalbumin-expressing "GABAergic" interneurons regulate synchronous oscillatory output of pyramidal neurons. Metabolic demands of these GABAergic projections are great because local ion concentrations must be optimally maintained; in addition, high rates of mitochondrial respiration necessitate exquisite redox regulation. Interestingly, only fast-spiking, parvalbumin-expressing basket cells coexpressing 3 metalloproteinases seem to be preferentially enwrapped in perineuronal nets (PNNs), a specialized lattice-like structure of the extracellular matrix.

The 15q13.3 deletion syndrome: Deficient α(7)-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated neurotransmission in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) has led to the identification of microdeletions of the proximal region of chromosome 15q between breakpoints (BP) 3 or BP4 and BP5 encompassing CHRNA7, the gene encoding the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) subunit. Phenotypic manifestations of persons with these microdeletions are variable and some heterozygous carriers are seemingly unaffected, consistent with their variable expressivity and incomplete penetrance. Nonetheless, the 15q13.

The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: A mediator of pathogenesis and therapeutic target in autism spectrum disorders and Down syndrome.

Currently, there are no medications that target core deficits of social communication and restrictive, repetitive patterns of behavior in persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Adults with Down syndrome (DS) display a progressive worsening of adaptive functioning, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like histopathological changes in brain. Similar to persons with ASDs, there are no effective medication strategies to prevent or retard the progressive worsening of adaptive functions in adults with DS.

Pharmacotherapeutic implications of the association between genomic instability at chromosome 15q13.3 and autism spectrum disorders.

Recurrent microdeletions of chromosome 15q13.3 are causally associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), suggesting that haploinsufficiency of CHRNA7, the gene that codes for the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) subunit, is an etiological mechanism. Independent of these genetic data, given the location of α7 nAChRs on γ-aminobutyric acid-inhibitory neurons and their role in maintaining central inhibitory tone, a compelling pharmacological rationale exists for therapeutically targeting the α7 nAChR in persons with ASDs.

Cholinergic abnormalities in autism: is there a rationale for selective nicotinic agonist interventions?

The core dysfunctions of autism spectrum disorders, which include autistic disorder, Asperger disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, include deficits in socialization and communication and a need for the preservation of "sameness;" intellectual impairment and epilepsy are common comorbidities. Data suggest that pathological involvement of cholinergic nuclei and altered expression of acetylcholine receptors, particularly nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, occur in brain of persons with autistic disorder. However, many of these studies involved postmortem tissue from small samples of primarily adult persons.