Pilot Study of Maternal Autoantibody-Related Autism.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of maternal autoantibody-related autism spectrum disorder (MAR-ASD) in 2 geographically distinct DBPNet clinical sites (Pennsylvania and Arkansas). MAR-ASD is a biologically defined subtype of ASD that is defined by the presence of autoantibodies specific to proteins in the fetal brain and present in approximately 20% of a Northern California sample but has not been studied in other states.

Methods: Sixty-eight mothers of children with ASD were recruited from 2 DBPNet clinics and provided blood samples.

Autism-Focused Online Training in Shared Decision-Making: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: This medical education quasi-randomized controlled trial (quasi-RCT), involving 97 developmental-behavioral pediatrics fellows across the United States, examined differential effects of 2 autism-focused, online, interactive case-based trainings on shared decision-making (SDM).

Methods: An intervention case provided direct teaching about SDM, addressing autism treatment options. A comparison case focused on evidence-based practice (EBP) related to medication use in autism with no specific SDM teaching.

Correction: Meta-analysis and multidisciplinary consensus statement: exome sequencing is a first-tier clinical diagnostic test for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Maternal polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk for autism spectrum disorder in the high-risk study.

Prior studies suggest that maternal polyunsaturated fatty acids intake during pregnancy may have protective effects on autism spectrum disorder in their children. However, they did not examine detailed timing of maternal polyunsaturated fatty acid intake during pregnancy, nor did they evaluate plasma concentrations. This study investigates whether maternal polyunsaturated fatty acids in defined time windows of pregnancy, assessed by both questionnaires and biomarkers, are associated with risk of autism spectrum disorder and other non-typical development in the children.

An Exploratory Examination of Neonatal Cytokines and Chemokines as Predictors of Autism Risk: The Early Markers for Autism Study.

Background: The identification of an early biomarker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) would improve the determination of risk, leading to earlier diagnosis and, potentially, earlier intervention and improved outcomes.

Methods: Data were generated from the Early Markers for Autism study, a population-based case-control study of prenatal and neonatal biomarkers of ASD. Newborn bloodspots of children with ASD (n = 370), children with developmental delay (n = 140), and general population (GP) controls (n = 378) were analyzed for 42 different immune markers using a Luminex multiplex platform.

Meta-analysis and multidisciplinary consensus statement: exome sequencing is a first-tier clinical diagnostic test for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Purpose: For neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), etiological evaluation can be a diagnostic odyssey involving numerous genetic tests, underscoring the need to develop a streamlined algorithm maximizing molecular diagnostic yield for this clinical indication. Our objective was to compare the yield of exome sequencing (ES) with that of chromosomal microarray (CMA), the current first-tier test for NDDs.

Methods: We performed a PubMed scoping review and meta-analysis investigating the diagnostic yield of ES for NDDs as the basis of a consensus development conference.

Neonatal vitamin D status in relation to autism spectrum disorder and developmental delay in the CHARGE case-control study.

Vitamin D appears essential for normal neurodevelopment and cognitive and behavioral function. We examined neonatal vitamin D in relation to the child's later diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or developmental delay (DD). Children aged 24-60 months enrolled in the population-based CHARGE case-control study were evaluated clinically for ASD (n = 357), DD (n = 134), or typical development (TD, n = 234) at the MIND Institute (Sacramento, CA) using standardized assessments.

Comparison of maternal beliefs about causes of autism spectrum disorder and association with utilization of services and treatments.

Background: This study aimed to describe parental perceptions of the causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an ethnically diverse sample and explore whether these perceptions relate to treatment choices.

Methods: The sample consisted of White (n = 224), Hispanic (n = 85), and Asian (n = 21) mothers of a child with ASD. A mixed methods approach was used in this secondary analysis focusing on parental perceptions about the causes of ASD and the relationship of these to utilization of services and treatment.

Differential immune responses and microbiota profiles in children with autism spectrum disorders and co-morbid gastrointestinal symptoms.

Objectives: Many studies have reported the increased presence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Altered microbiome profiles, pro-inflammatory responses and impaired intestinal permeability have been observed in children with ASD and co-morbid GI symptoms, yet few studies have compared these findings to ASD children without GI issues or similarly aged typical developing children. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are biological signatures in terms of immune dysfunction and microbiota composition in children with ASD with GI symptoms.

Effects of Yoga on Attention, Impulsivity, and Hyperactivity in Preschool-Aged Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms.

Objective: Behavioral therapies are first-line for preschoolers with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Studies support yoga for school-aged children with ADHD; this study evaluated yoga in preschoolers on parent- and teacher-rated attention/challenging behaviors, attentional control (Kinder Test of Attentional Performance [KiTAP]), and heart rate variability (HRV).

Methods: This randomized waitlist-controlled trial tested a 6-week yoga intervention in preschoolers with ≥4 ADHD symptoms on the ADHD Rating Scale-IV Preschool Version.

Joint effects of prenatal air pollutant exposure and maternal folic acid supplementation on risk of autism spectrum disorder.

Unlabelled: Independent studies report that periconceptional folic acid (FA) may decrease the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) while exposure to air pollution may increase ASD risk. We examined the joint effects of gestational FA and air pollution exposures in association with ASD. We studied 346 ASD cases and 260 typically developing controls from the CHARGE case-control study.

Combined Prenatal Pesticide Exposure and Folic Acid Intake in Relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: Maternal folic acid (FA) protects against developmental toxicity from certain environmental chemicals.

Objective: We examined combined exposures to maternal FA and pesticides in relation to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods: Participants were California children born from 2000-2007 who were enrolled in the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) case-control study at age 2-5 y, were clinically confirmed to have ASD (n=296) or typical development (n=220), and had information on maternal supplemental FA and pesticide exposures.

The joint effect of air pollution exposure and copy number variation on risk for autism.

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex trait with a high degree of heritability as well as documented susceptibility from environmental factors. In this study the contributions of copy number variation, exposure to air pollutants, and the interaction between the two on autism risk, were evaluated in the population-based case-control Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) Study. For the current investigation, we included only those CHARGE children (a) who met criteria for autism or typical development and (b) for whom our team had conducted both genetic evaluation of copy number burden and determination of environmental air pollution exposures based on mapping addresses from the pregnancy and early childhood.

Prenatal and Newborn Immunoglobulin Levels from Mother-Child Pairs and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Background: An etiological role for immune factors operating during early brain development in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has not yet been established. A major obstacle has been the lack of early biologic specimens that can be linked to later diagnosis. In a prior study, we found lower risk of ASD associated with higher levels of maternally-derived total IgG and Toxoplasmosis gondii (Toxo) IgG in newborn blood spot specimens from children later diagnosed with ASD compared to population controls.

Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder by Developmental-Behavioral Pediatricians in Academic Centers: A DBPNet Study.

Objectives: To describe the clinical practices of physicians in the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Network (DBPNet) to (1) diagnose autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), identify comorbidities, and evaluate etiology and (2) compare actual practice to established guidelines.

Methods: A total of 56 developmental-behavioral pediatricians completed encounter forms, including demographic/clinical information, for up to 10 consecutive new-patient visits given a diagnosis of ASD. Data were summarized by using descriptive statistics.

Efficacy of Low-Dose Buspirone for Restricted and Repetitive Behavior in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Trial.

Objectives: To determine safety and efficacy of the 5HT1A serotonin partial agonist buspirone on core autism and associated features in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Study Design: Children 2-6 years of age with ASD (N = 166) were randomized to receive placebo or 2.5 or 5.

Immune Endophenotypes in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social communication deficits and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. Varied immunological findings have been reported in children with ASD. To address the question of heterogeneity in immune responses, we sought to examine the diversity of immune profiles within a representative cohort of boys with ASD.

Early Intervention for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Under 3 Years of Age: Recommendations for Practice and Research.

This article reviews current evidence for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) interventions for children aged <3 years, based on peer-reviewed articles published up to December 2013. Several groups have adapted treatments initially designed for older, preschool-aged children with ASD, integrating best practice in behavioral teaching methods into a developmental framework based on current scientific understanding of how infants and toddlers learn. The central role of parents has been emphasized, and interventions are designed to incorporate learning opportunities into everyday activities, capitalize on "teachable moments," and facilitate the generalization of skills beyond the familiar home setting.

Early Screening of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Recommendations for Practice and Research.

This article reviews current evidence for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening based on peer-reviewed articles published to December 2013. Screening provides a standardized process to ensure that children are systematically monitored for early signs of ASD to promote earlier diagnosis. The current review indicates that screening in children aged 18 to 24 months can assist in early detection, consistent with current American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations.

Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Recommendations for Practice and Research.

Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is essential to ensure that children can access specialized evidence-based interventions that can help to optimize long-term outcomes. Early identification also helps shorten the stressful "diagnostic odyssey" that many families experience before diagnosis. There have been important advances in research into the early development of ASDs, incorporating prospective designs and new technologies aimed at more precisely delineating the early emergence of ASD.

Neonatal Cytokine Profiles Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that can be reliably diagnosed at age 24 months. Immunological phenomena, including skewed cytokine production, have been observed among children with ASD. Little is known about whether immune dysregulation is present before diagnosis of ASD.

Prenatal mercury exposure, autism, and developmental delay, using pharmacokinetic combination of newborn blood concentrations and questionnaire data: a case control study.

Background: Methylmercury (MeHg), known for well over a century as a neurotoxin in adults, has more recently been studied for potential detrimental effects during early brain development. While several studies have estimated mercury exposure, they usually rely on either a single biomarker or questionnaire data, each of which has limitations. The goal of this paper was to develop a toxicokinetic model that incorporates both biomarker and questionnaire data to estimate the cumulative exposure to MeHg through seafood consumption using data collected from the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) study.

Selected vitamin D metabolic gene variants and risk for autism spectrum disorder in the CHARGE Study.

Background: Vitamin D is essential for proper neurodevelopment and cognitive and behavioral function. We examined associations between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and common, functional polymorphisms in vitamin D pathways.

Methods: Children aged 24-60 months enrolled from 2003 to 2009 in the population-based CHARGE case-control study were evaluated clinically and confirmed to have ASD (n=474) or typical development (TD, n=281).