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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: biomarkers

January 2015

Small study bolsters difficult search for autism blood test

by  /  13 January 2015

A set of small molecules in the blood can distinguish people with autism from controls with 81 percent accuracy, claims a biotech firm, but the test faces a long and difficult road to clinical use.

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Head movement in scanners skews brain measurements

by  /  9 January 2015

Even small movements of the head during magnetic resonance imaging can lead to spurious measurements of brain structures, according to a new study.

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Thought test hints at neural signature for autism

by  /  6 January 2015

People with autism show unique patterns of brain activation when thinking about social words, such as ‘hug.’ But new findings highlight the dangers of using thoughts as biomarkers for the disorder.

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December 2014

Facial measurements resurface in search for autism clues

by  /  8 December 2014

A group of scientists is using fast, accurate and minimally invasive measurement systems to revive the once-tedious trade of dysmorphology, or the study of unusual facial features, in autism.

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‘Brain-normalizing’ therapy points to new kind of biomarker

by  /  1 December 2014

Pivotal response treatment, an effective form of behavioral therapy for autism, normalizes brain activity in children with the disorder, according to a small study published earlier this month in Brain Imaging and Behavior. This suggests that brain imaging can signal early responses to autism treatments.

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November 2014

Behavioral patterns may predict autism in high-risk toddlers

by  /  13 November 2014

Three distinct behavioral profiles in siblings of children with autism at 18 months predict autism diagnosis at age 3. The findings, published 2 October, point to multiple developmental pathways to the disorder.

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Why we must be patient when searching for an autism biomarker

by  /  7 November 2014

Many studies have found differences in the brains of young infants later diagnosed with autism. But to call this a biomarker requires independent validation, time and patience, says Helen Tager-Flusberg.

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Questions for Karen Parker: Probing monkey social behavior

by  /  4 November 2014

Like people, monkeys vary widely in their social abilities. Behavioral neuroscientist Karen Parker explains how studying social behavior in monkeys can advance how we understand and treat autism.

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October 2014

Studies question link between head circumference, autism

by  /  16 October 2014

Having an enlarged head in early childhood is not a reliable marker of autism, according to two new studies that tracked changes in head and body size in children over time.

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September 2014

New therapy shows promise for infants with signs of autism

by  /  25 September 2014

A new interaction-based therapy delivered by parents may improve behavior and language skills in infants with autism symptoms, suggests a small pilot study.

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