An end-of-the-year GoogleScholar.com search for publications using the term AUTISM returned ~ 58,000 entries:
√ Treatment = 32,000 results
√ Diagnosis = 19,000 items
√ Cause = 19,000 records
√ Prevention = 10,000 entries
Here are the stories that represent this year’s salient research and experience (according to TheAutsimDoctor, at least):
December
Reduced GABAergic Action in the Autistic Brain
Evidence of this neurotransmitter showing reduced activity in the autistic brain. The supplement form is not able to cross into the brain However, it is sometimes helpful as a calming agent, though the opposite effect also occurs.
Cell cycle networks link gene expression dysregulation, mutation, and brain maldevelopment in autistic toddlers
“Further underscoring the prenatal origins of ASD, researchers… describe for the first time how abnormal gene activity… may underlie abnormal early brain growth in the disorder.”
Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children
This is a BIG DEAL, to be discussed in a future posting.
November
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Treatment in an Adolescent with Autism and Drug-Resistant Catatonia
A possible new (and really expensive) treatment for ASD?
October
Oxytocin ‘Love Hormone’ Nasal Spray Shows Promise in Kids With Autism
Previously reviewed here.
EARLY SCREENING OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH
Someone at the American Academy of Pediatrics gets it.
September
Association Between Obstetric Mode of Delivery and Autism Spectrum Disorder
This research bears out my experience as a neonatologist; the type of birth, per se, does not appear to lead to ASD.
August
Draft Recommendation Statement
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: Screening
A formal recommendation not supporting a toddler screen for ASD! Discussed in depth here.
A New Interactive Screening Test for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Toddlers.
But, if a screen is used, here is a better mousetrap.
An Autism-Linked Mutation Disables Phosphorylation Control of UBE3A
How gene function/malfunction can lead to downstream CNS processing errors.
July
A Mechanistic Link between Olfaction and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Patients don’t have Sensory Processing Disorder AND autism. Until it’s called something else, the condition is ASD.
Long-Term Outcomes of Early Intervention in 6-Year-Old Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
“This is the first study to examine the role of early… behavioral intervention initiated at less than 30 months of age in altering the longer-term developmental course of autism.”
June
Autism risk associated with parental age and with increasing difference in age between the parents
If this is more than a mere association, it provides evidence of the environment interacting on genes (epigenetics).
May
Heritability of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a UK Population-Based Twin Sample
Nature > Nurture study.
April
Long-Term Outcomes of Early Intervention in 6-Year-Old Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Yes, Virginia, early detection and intervention DOES matter.
Prediction of autism by translation and immune/inflammation coexpressed genes in toddlers from pediatric community practices.
A comment from the New England Journal of Medicine: “A Blood Test for Predicting Autism?
It can’t be used for diagnosis just yet, but its findings may form the foundation for a more predictive test.”
Autism Occurrence by MMR Vaccine Status Among US Children With Older Siblings With and Without Autism
Another study proving that ALL vaccinations, given at ANY age, in ANY combination, are good for ALL children, ALL of the time. Lies, damn lies, and statistics.
March
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Particulate Matter Air Pollution before, during, and after Pregnancy: A Nested Case–Control Analysis within the Nurses’ Health Study II Cohort
Higher maternal exposure to toxins during pregnancy, particularly in the last few months, were associated with greater odds of a child having ASD.
The autism-associated chromatin modifier CHD8 regulates other autism risk genes during human neurodevelopment
Discussion of epigenetics – how the environment works on genes.
Common polygenic risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with cognitive ability in the general population
It’s not news to the ASD community… “Autism Genes Found to Be Associated with Brighter Minds“
February
Shorter spontaneous fixation durations in infants with later emerging autism
Even the youngest children may demonstrate high risk signs.
A Pilot Proteomic Analysis of Salivary Biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorder
An important step in diagnosing and treating any condition, is to have reproducible lab tests to assess risk, degree of involvement, and efficacy of intervention(s).
January
Explaining the Increase in the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Proportion Attributable to Changes in Reporting Practices
It’s merely reassignment of diagnosis. NOT.
Is the U.S. Prepared for a Growing Population of Adults With Autism?
Since we aren’t prepared for the present growth of children on the spectrum, how could it be possible that future resources will be available?
Conclusion
Promising Forecast for Autism Spectrum Disorders
This editorial, which appeared in a respected medical journal, crystalizes the differences between what pediatricians think they know about ASD, and what parents actually experience. In practice, progress seems anemic and glacial. Autism is rocket science, mired in a political, emotional, and financial morass.
The top autism stories of 2015 are not enough. We need to recognize the epidemic, publish more information that assures vaccine safety for susceptible populations, address causes, safe and effective treatments, possible preventions, and how to address the aging of the autism population. Affected families just need more of everything.
As always, readers are invited to share their thoughts about this research,
and any other scientific papers that should be included.