Category: Recent & Relevant

Autism and rare childhood speech disorder often coincide

Autism, Recent & Relevant 06/07/201506/04/2015 admin 0 Comments

Some children with autism should undergo ongoing screenings for apraxia, a rare neurological speech disorder, because the two conditions often go hand-in-hand, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. Over the course of a three-year study, 64 percent of children initially diagnosed with autism were found to also have apraxia. The study also showed that the commonly used Checklist for Autism Spectrum Disorder (CASD) accurately diagnoses autism in children with apraxia. “Children with apraxia […]

Sleep quality influences the cognitive performance of autistic and neurotypical children

Autism, Recent & Relevant 06/06/201506/04/2015 admin 0 Comments

One night of poor sleep significantly decreases performance on intelligence tests in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and also in neurotypical children (without ASD). This is the conclusion made by researchers at the Hôpital Rivière-des-Prairies, affiliated with the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal and Université de Montréal. Sleep Quality Influences the Cognitive Performance of Autistic and Neurotypical Children One night of poor sleep significantly decreases performance on intelligence tests in children with […]

Researchers unravel a genetic link with autistic behaviors — and find a way to undo it

Autism, Recent & Relevant 06/05/201506/04/2015 admin 0 Comments

Proteins that regulate actin filaments — essential for neuronal communications — are potential therapeutic targets for autism, UB researchers report Scientists at the University at Buffalo have identified the mechanisms behind a genetic mutation that produces certain autistic behaviors in mice, as well as therapeutic strategies to restore normal behaviors. The research describes the cellular and molecular basis behind some autistic behaviors; it also suggests potential biomarkers and pharmaceutical targets. Published May 28 in Cell […]

Communication made easier for children with cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy, Recent & Relevant 06/04/2015 admin 0 Comments

As presented in Medical News Today (MNT) The Biomechanics Institute of Valencia (IBV) has coordinated the ABC project (Augmented BNCI Communication), a European initiative that has developed a new brain-computer interface system to enhance communication skills of people with cerebral palsy from childhood, improving the relationship with their environment and the expression of emotions. Cerebral palsy affects 1.5 per 1,000 people in Spain, being the first cause of childhood disability. People with Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy […]

New Study Findings: Are family physicians comfortable treating people with sickle cell disease?

Recent & Relevant 05/27/201505/27/2015 admin 0 Comments

The journal Anemia has published a study in which researchers analyzed survey responses related to knowledge and attitudes toward care and treatment of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Surveys were submitted by 1,042 practicing physician members of the Council of Academic Family Medicine organizations. The survey was conducted between November 2013 and January 2014, and was designed to identify areas in which family physicians may need additional knowledge about care of patients with SCD. […]