Childhood Autism Rating Scale Research Articles

Phenotypic characteristics and rehabilitation effect of children with regressive autism spectrum disorder: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundIn this prospective cohort study, we determined the phenotypic characteristics of children with regressive autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and explored the effects of rehabilitation.MethodsWe recruited 370 children with ASD aged 1.5–7 years. Based on the Regression Supplement Form, the children were assigned to two groups: regressive and non-regressive. The core symptoms and neurodevelopmental levels of ASD were assessed before and after 1 year of behavioral intervention using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Social Response Scale (SRS), Children Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Gesell Developmental Scale (GDS).ResultsAmong the 370 children with ASD, 28.38% (105/370) experienced regression. Regression was primarily observed in social communication and language skills. Children with regressive ASD exhibited higher SRS and CARS scores and lower GDS scores than those with non-regressive ASD. After 1 year of behavioral intervention, the symptom scale scores significantly decreased for all children with ASD; however, a lesser degree of improvement was observed in children with regressive ASD than in those with non-regressive ASD. In addition, the symptom scores of children with regressive ASD below 4 years old significantly decreased, whereas the scores of those over 4 years old did not significantly improve. Children with regressive ASD showed higher core symptom scores and lower neurodevelopmental levels. Nevertheless, after behavioral intervention, some symptoms exhibited significant improvements in children with regressive ASD under 4 years of age.ConclusionEarly intervention should be considered for children with ASD, particularly for those with regressive ASD.

Exploring the Usefulness of a Multi-Sensory Environment on Sensory Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological development with social and communication deficits and sensory abnormalities. Sensory problems have a significant impact on daily life. Multisensory environments (MSEs), such as Snoezelen® rooms, offer controlled sensory stimulation. This study aims to evaluate the effect of MSE intervention with self-controlled sensory interactions on adaptive developmental skills and sensory responses in preschool ASD children. Methods: This pilot study was single-blind, randomized, controlled, and adhered to the CONSORT guidelines. Twenty participants were recruited and randomized into two groups: the control group (CG) underwent treatment as usual (TAU) with individual rehabilitation sessions of psychomotor therapy. The experimental group (EG) underwent TAU integrated with the use of an MSE. Developmental abilities and severity levels were assessed, pre-post, with the Psychoeducational Profile, Third Edition (PEP-3) and the Second Edition Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS-2). Results: A significant difference in taste, smell, and tactile behaviors according to the CARS-2, as well as in gross motor skills according to the PEP-3, was observed in the EG. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that MSE-integrated intervention may be a valid strategy to improve self-management of the sensory profile in autistic individuals. Further studies are needed to better identify the intervention methodology and effectiveness.

Potential biomarkers of ASD a target for future treatments: oxidative stress, chemokines, apoptotic, and methylation capacity.

The study aimed to assess the effect of these biomarkers on a sample of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to help in early diagnosis and intervention. A total of 71 autistic patients and 65 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Their ages ranged from 5 to 11 years (mean±SD 7.47±3.81). Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was assessed for all patients and controls. Assessment of oxidative stress, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, B-cell lymphoma 2, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and apelin was performed. Oxidative stress (oxidized low-density lipoprotein and malonaldehyde) increased while antioxidant paraoxonase (PON) decreased. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, B-cell lymphoma 2, and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) were all elevated whereas, apelin was downregulated. It is important to note that many factors that may contribute to ASD including genetic factors. To open the door for novel treatment strategies, it is still necessary to precisely understand how oxidative stress, chemokines, apoptosis, and methylation capability affect the metabolism of people with ASD.

Assessment of 8-Hydroxy-2’-Deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) Level in Urine as a Urinary Marker of Oxidative Stress in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, restricted interest and repetitive behavior. Oxidative stress in response to environmental exposure plays a role in virtually every human disease and represents a significant avenue of research into the etiology of ASD. Objective The aim of this study was to asses 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) level in urine as a urinary marker of oxidative stress in children with autism spectrum disorder in comparison to sex and age matched healthy control group. Patients and Methods We included 51 children with autism (43 males and 8 females whose age ranged from 2 to 16 years). They were compared to 51 children of the same age as a control group. The diagnosis of autism was made based on the criteria of autistic disorders as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSMV). In the patients group, detailed medical history included sociodemographic form and family history was taken for autistic group also Intelligence Quotient test IQ test and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) used to measure the severity of autism. In the study, 8-OHdG values in urine were investigated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and Urinary creatinine was determined with the Beckham Coulter analyzer and was used to normalize all biochemical measurements then the urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine levels were corrected to the urinary concentration of creatinine. Results The median age was 9.9 in the ASD group and 9.1 in the control group (P = 0.256). In the ASD group, (8-OH-dG)/creatinine ratio values were found to be significantly higher than those of the controls (P < 0.001). but also No statistically significant correlation between (8-OH- dG)/creatinie ratio and CARS score or IQ score (P = 0,7). Conclusion The data from this study supported the hypothesis of the oxidant/antioxidant balance as a key piece that may contribute to the autistic pathology

Dysregulation of miR-146a in human milk of mothers having children with autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of neurobehavioral manifestations that impose poor social interaction and stereotyped repetitive patterns. Several mircoRNA (miRNA) dysregulations underpin ASD pathophysiology via impairing the neurogenic niches. For instance, miR-146a and miR-106 differential expressions are linked to deregulation of ASD-related genes and the severity of clinical symptoms, respectively. Breastfeeding provides newborns with many bioactive compounds that support their neurodevelopment including miRNA. Our pilot study evaluated the expression pattern of miR-106a and miR-146a in human milk (HM) of nursing mothers (n = 36) having autistic children compared to age-matched counterparts (n = 36) with neurotypical children as controls. Under sterile conditions, breast milk samples were collected using manual sucking pumps and centrifuged to separate the fat layer. Total RNA was extracted from the lipid fraction, and the expression profiles of both miR-106a and miR-146a were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Among the test group, we reported some factors that were previously linked to HM miRNA perturbations: gestational diabetes, hypertension, and cesarean delivery. HM miR-106a showed comparable expression levels in both mother groups (p = 0.8681), whereas HM miR-146a was significantly downregulated in mothers with autistic children compared to controls (p = 0.0399). Alternatively, HM miR-106 levels were positively associated with two ASD clinical parameters: Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and communication and language domain of Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) (r = 0.6452, p = 0.0003 and r = 0.3958, p = 0.0410, respectively). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of both maternal HM miR-106a and miR-146a showed poor fitness as predictive biomarkers for ASD. Our findings suggest that the miR-146a differential expression in ASD children may originate at infancy during the lactation period. Thus, maternal pre- and postnatal health care is critical to maintain optimal miRNome in breast milk.

The clinical effects of Orff music therapy on children with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive evaluation.

This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of Orff music therapy on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from the perspectives of parents, evaluators, and therapists. 93 children with ASD aged 3-6 years participated in the study. They were divided into an observation group (n = 48) receiving comprehensive rehabilitation intervention including Orff music therapy, and a control group (n = 45) receiving only comprehensive rehabilitation intervention. The Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Psycho-educational Profile-3rd edition (PEP-3) were used for assessments before and after the intervention. There were no significant demographic differences between the two groups. Both groups showed significant improvements in Sensory, Relating, Language, CVP, EL, RL, VMI, AE, SR, and CARS scores at T1, T2, and T3 (T1 vs. T2, T2 vs. T3, T1 vs. T3) (all p < 0.05). The observation group demonstrated significant changes in Body and Object use and FM, while the control group showed some changes in these domains. Social and self-help, GM, CMB, and CVB also significantly improved in both groups after 6 months of intervention (all p < 0.05). In terms of different time intervals, the observation group showed greater improvements in Sensory, Relating, Language, CARS scores, EL, RL, and SR compared to the control group (all p < 0.05). The improvement levels in Body and Object use, CVP, FM, VMI, and AE did not differ significantly between the two groups in the T1-T2 interval, but were significantly higher in the observation group in the T2-T3 and T1-T3 intervals (all p < 0.05). The magnitude of changes in Social and self-help, GM, CMB, and CVB did not differ significantly between the groups. Orff music therapy showed significant improvements in language expression, language comprehension, social skills, cognitive abilities, imitation abilities, emotional expression and fine motor in children with ASD. These findings provide support for the use of Orff music therapy as an effective intervention for children with ASD.

A Study on the Screening of Children at Risk for Developmental Disabilities Using Facial Landmarks Derived From a Mobile-Based Application

Objective Early detection and intervention of developmental disabilities (DDs) are critical to improving the long-term outcomes of afflicted children. In this study, our objective was to utilize facial landmark features from mobile application to distinguish between children with DDs and typically developing (TD) children.Methods The present study recruited 89 children, including 33 diagnosed with DD, and 56 TD children. The aim was to examine the effectiveness of a deep learning classification model using facial video collected from children through mobile-based application. The study participants underwent comprehensive developmental assessments, which included the child completion of the Korean Psychoeducational Profile-Revised and caregiver completing the Korean versions of Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, Korean version of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Social Responsiveness Scale, and Child Behavior Checklist. We extracted facial landmarks from recorded videos using mobile application and performed DDs classification using long short-term memory with stratified 5-fold cross-validation.Results The classification model shows an average accuracy of 0.88 (range: 0.78–1.00), an average precision of 0.91 (range: 0.75–1.00), and an average F1-score of 0.80 (range: 0.60–1.00). Upon interpreting prediction results using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), we verified that the most crucial variable was the nodding head angle variable, with a median SHAP score of 2.6. All the top 10 contributing variables exhibited significant differences in distribution between children with DD and TD (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion The results of this study provide evidence that facial landmarks, utilizing readily available mobile-based video data, can be used to detect DD at an early stage.

Comparison of Serum Neurofilament Light Chain and Tau Protein Levels in Cases with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Healthy Siblings and Healthy Controls.

: There is a growing interest among clinicians and researchers in identifying potential biomarkers associated with autism. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and Tau protein, which are proteins associated with neurodegeneration and neuroaxonal degeneration, are particularly promising potential biomarker candidates in this field. : In this study, we compared serum NfL (sNfL) and serum Tau (sTau) levels in Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients, their healthy siblings (HS), and healthy controls (HC), aimed to investigate their relationship with ASD severity. Our study included 43 ASD-diagnosed participants, 43 HS participants and 42 HC participants. Clinical characteristics of the participants were assesed by Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Aberrant Behavior Checklist, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Serum samples were subjected to analysis via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantitatively measure the levels of NfL and Tau protein. : sNfL levels in the ASD group were significantly higher than both of the control groups. Regarding sTau levels, no significant difference was found between study and control groups. In addition, NfL and Tau levels were not significantly correlated with ASD symptom severity. : Our findings may indicate that the sNfl levels associated with neuroaxonal damage may constitue a potential clinical biomarker rather than being an endophenotype phenomena.

Serum BAFF, APRIL, TWEAK, TNFSF18, TNFR2, and TNFRS12A levels in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder

Objectives A gradually increasing number of studies have reported that dysregulation in the immune system may be a contributing factor in the etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, only limited data has existed about the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily members in ASD. This study aimed to investigate whether serum levels of BAFF, APRIL, TWEAK, TNFSF18 TNFR2, and TNFRS12A are associated with ASD in preschool children. Methods A total of 65 (52 boys/13 girls) preschool children with ASD and 40 (28 boys/12 girls) healthy controls were included in the study. The severity of the ASD symptoms was assessed by the Autism Behavior Checklist and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Serum levels of immunologic parameters were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Analysis indicated that serum BAFF, TNFSF18, TNFR2, and TNFRS12A levels were significantly lower and serum APRIL and TWEAK levels were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. However, with logistic regression only low BAFF levels and high APRIL levels had relationships with the presence of ASD. Conclusions These findings suggest that TNF superfamily members, especially the BAFF/APRIL system may play a role in the pathophysiology of ASD.

A study of the effects of screen exposure on the neuropsychological development in children with autism spectrum disorders based on ScreenQ

PurposeTo investigate the relationship between multi-dimensional aspects of screen exposure and autistic symptoms, as well as neuropsychological development in children with ASD.MethodsWe compared the ScreenQ and Griffiths Development Scales-Chinese Language Edition (GDS-C) of 636 ASD children (40.79 ± 11.45 months) and 43 typically developing (TD) children (42.44 ± 9.61 months). Then, we analyzed the correlations between ScreenQ and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and GDS-C. We further used linear regression model to analyze the risk factors associated with high CARS total scores and low development quotients (DQs) in children with ASD.ResultsThe CARS of children with ASD was positively correlated with the ScreenQ total scores and “access, frequency, co-viewing” items of ScreenQ. The personal social skills DQ was negatively correlated with the “access, frequency, content, co-viewing and total scores” of ScreenQ. The hearing-speech DQ was negatively correlated with the “frequency, content, co-viewing and total scores” of ScreenQ. The eye-hand coordination DQ was negatively correlated with the “frequency and total scores” of ScreenQ. The performance DQ was negatively correlated with the “frequency” item of ScreenQ.ConclusionScreenQ can be used in the study of screen exposure in children with ASD. The higher the ScreenQ scores, the more severe the autistic symptoms tend to be, and the more delayed the development of children with ASD in the domains of personal-social, hearing-speech and eye-hand coordination. In addition, “frequency” has the greatest impact on the domains of personal social skills, hearing-speech, eye-hand coordination and performance of children with ASD.

RoboCA3T: A Robot‐Inspired Computer‐Assisted adaptive autism therapy for improving joint attention and imitation skills through learning and computing innovations

AbstractBackgroundThis study presents a Robot‐Inspired Computer‐Assisted Adaptive Autism Therapy (RoboCA3T) focusing on improving joint attention and imitation skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By harnessing the inherent affinity of children with ASD for robots and technology, RoboCA3T offers a therapeutic environment designed to maximise engagement and facilitate effective skill development. It harnesses the advantages of Robot‐Assisted Therapies (RATs) by employing robot avatars and integrating them with Computer‐Assisted Therapies (CATs) within a web‐based solution. The integration of automatic gaze and pose detection algorithms within RoboCA3T addresses the challenge posed by potential human error and observation bias in assessing the child's progress, thereby ensuring accurate results. This research responds to the need for more effective, technology driven therapies for autism, filling gaps in existing methods.ObjectivesThe primary goal of this research is to create a robot inspired computer assisted adaptive autism therapy that maximises engagement and enhances joint attention and imitation skills.MethodsThe study involves 11 ASD children with 30 sessions (divided into two halves) per module over eight months, comprising 660 experimental trials, 110 familiarizations, and 110 follow‐up sessions. The joint attention module evaluates the subject's gaze pattern using WebGazer for gaze detection in response to four least‐to‐most robot‐generated cues. The imitation module utilises robot‐generated pose for comparing subjects' imitated actions using Tensorflow Lite for pose estimation.Results and ConclusionsThe effectiveness of therapy was substantiated by comparing Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores before and after intervention. Significant improvements were noted between the first and second therapy halves, validated by Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests (p &lt; 0.01) and spearman's correlation analysis, reinforcing the observed improvements in joint attention and imitation skills.

An Investigation of Dissociative Symptoms and Related Factors in Autistic Adolescents.

Despite exposure to trauma and adverse life events being frequently reported in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), few studies have examined the relationship between these factors and dissociative symptoms in the autistic population. The aim of the study is to investigate symptoms of dissociation in autistic adolescents, and to explore factors that could be associated with dissociative symptoms in ASD. This cross-sectional study involved 59 autistic adolescents between 12 and 18years old, with the mean age of 14.3 ± 1.8. Dissociation, autism characteristics, childhood traumas, peer bullying, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms were assessed using the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (ADES), the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Nine-Item Child-Adolescent Bullying Screen (CABS-9), and the Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI), respectively. Results from the ADES revealed that 12.5% of the participants scored above the threshold for dissociative disorders. In the linear regression model constructed to evaluate factors associated with dissociative symptoms, an increase in dissociative symptoms was statistically significantly associated with an increase in the total CTQ score (p = 0.002) and age (p = 0.006). The findings of the study indicate that dissociative symptoms may occur in autistic adolescents. It is suggested that dissociative symptoms observed in autistic adolescents may particularly be associated with childhood traumas and increasing age. Further research into dissociative symptoms in ASD is warranted, requiring larger sample sizes, specialized measurement scales, and structured interviews.

Effects and microbiota changes following oral lyophilized fecal microbiota transplantation in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders that is characterized by core features in social communication impairment and restricted, repetitive sensory-motor behaviors. This study aimed to further investigate the utilization of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in children with ASD, both with and without gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, evaluate the effect of FMT and analyze the alterations in bacterial and fungal composition within the gut microbiota. A total of 38 children diagnosed with ASD participated in the study and underwent oral lyophilized FMT treatment. The dosage of the FMT treatment was determined based on a ratio of 1 g of donor stool per 1 kg of recipient body weight, with a frequency of once every 4 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. In addition, 30 healthy controls (HC) were included in the analysis. The clinical efficacy of FMT was evaluated, while the composition of fecal bacteria and fungi was determined using 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing methods. Median age of the 38 children with ASD was 7 years. Among these children, 84.2% (32 of 38) were boys and 81.6% (31 of 38) exhibited GI symptoms, with indigestion, constipation and diarrhea being the most common symptoms. Sample collections and assessments were conducted at baseline (week 0), post-treatment (week 12) and follow-up (week 20). At the end of the follow-up phase after FMT treatment, the autism behavior checklist (ABC) scores decreased by 23% from baseline, and there was a 10% reduction in scores on the childhood autism rating scale (CARS), a 6% reduction in scores on the social responsiveness scale (SRS) and a 10% reduction in scores on the sleep disturbance scale for children (SDSC). In addition, short-term adverse events observed included vomiting and fever in 2 participants, which were self-limiting and resolved within 24 h, and no long-term adverse events were observed. Although there was no significant difference in alpha and beta diversity in children with ASD before and after FMT therapy, the FMT treatment resulted in alterations in the relative abundances of various bacterial and fungal genera in the samples of ASD patients. Comparisons between children with ASD and healthy controls (HC) revealed statistically significant differences in microbial abundance before and after FMT. Blautia, Sellimonas, Saccharomycopsis and Cystobasidium were more abundant in children with ASD than in HC, while Dorea were less abundant. After FMT treatment, levels of Blautia, Sellimonas, Saccharomycopsis and Cystobasidium decreased, while levels of Dorea increased. Moreover, the increased abundances of Fusicatenibacter, Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-003, Saccharomyces, Rhodotorula, Cutaneotrichosporon and Zygosaccharomyces were negatively correlated with the scores of ASD core symptoms. Oral lyophilized FMT could improve GI and ASD related symptoms, as well as sleep disturbances, and alter the gut bacterial and fungal microbiota composition in children with ASD. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200055943. Registered 28 January 2022, www.chictr.org.cn.

Investigation of Liver X Receptor Gene Variants and Oxysterol Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The NR1H2 gene produces the Liver X Receptor Beta (LXRB) protein, which is crucial for brain cholesterol metabolism and neuronal development. However, its involvement in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains largely unexplored, aside from animal studies. This study is the first to explore the potential link between autism and rs2695121/rs17373080 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the regulatory regions of NR1H2, known for their association with neuropsychiatric functions. Additionally, we assessed levels of oxysterols (24-Hydroxycholesterol, 25-Hydroxycholesterol, 27-Hydroxycholesterol), crucial ligands of LXR, and lipid profiles. Our cohort comprised 107 children with ASD and 103 healthy children aged 2-18 years. Clinical assessment tools included the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Autistic Behavior Checklist, and Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised. Genotyping for SNPs was conducted using PCR-RFLP. Lipid profiles were analyzed with Beckman Coulter kits, while oxysterol levels were determined through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Significantly higher total cholesterol (p = 0.003), LDL (p = 0.008), and triglyceride (p < 0.001) levels were observed in the ASD group. 27-Hydroxycholesterol levels were markedly lower in the ASD group (p ≤ 0.001). ROC analysis indicated the potential of 27-Hydroxycholesterol to discriminate ASD diagnosis. The SNP genotype and allele frequencies were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Our findings suggest that disturbances in oxysterol metabolism, previously linked to neurodegeneration, may constitute a risk factor for ASD and contribute to its heterogeneous phenotype.

Transcranial photobiomodulation in children aged 2-6 years: a randomized sham-controlled clinical trial assessing safety, efficacy, and impact on autism spectrum disorder symptoms and brain electrophysiology.

Small pilot studies have suggested that transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) could help reduce symptoms of neurological conditions, such as depression, traumatic brain injury, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To examine the impact of tPBM on the symptoms of ASD in children aged two to six years. We conducted a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial involving thirty children aged two to six years with a prior diagnosis of ASD. We delivered pulses of near-infrared light (40 Hz, 850 nm) noninvasively to selected brain areas twice a week for eight weeks, using an investigational medical device designed for this purpose (Cognilum™, JelikaLite Corp., New York, United States). We used the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS, 2nd Edition) to assess and compare the ASD symptoms of participants before and after the treatment course. We collected electroencephalogram (EEG) data during each session from those participants who tolerated wearing the EEG cap. The difference in the change in CARS scores between the two groups was 7.23 (95% CI 2.357 to 12.107, p = 0.011). Seventeen of the thirty participants completed at least two EEGs and time-dependent trends were detected. In addition, an interaction between Active versus Sham and Scaled Time was observed in delta power (Coefficient = 7.521, 95% CI -0.517 to 15.559, p = 0.07) and theta power (Coefficient = -8.287, 95% CI -17.199 to 0.626, p = 0.07), indicating a potential trend towards a greater reduction in delta power and an increase in theta power over time with treatment in the Active group, compared to the Sham group. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the condition (Treatment vs. Sham) in the power of theta waves (net_theta) (Coefficient = 9.547, 95% CI 0.027 to 19.067, p = 0.049). No moderate or severe side effects or adverse effects were reported or observed during the trial. These results indicate that tPBM may be a safe and effective treatment for ASD and should be studied in more depth in larger studies.Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04660552, identifier NCT04660552.

Investigating the Relationship of Serum CD163, YKL40 and VILIP-1 Levels with Autism Severity and Language-cognitive Development in Preschool Children with Autism.

This study aimed to compare serum levels of CD163, YKL-40, and VILIP-1 between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and healthy controls, while also investigating their association with the severity of ASD and language development. The study included 40 ASD-diagnosed patients (aged 18-72 months) and 40 age-matched healthy controls. Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Preschool Language Scale-4, and Ankara Development Screening Inventory were administered to children in the ASD group. Serum CD163, YKL-40 and VILIP-1 levels were measured with an enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay kit. In the ASD group compared to the control group, serum VILIP-1 levels were significantly higher (p = 0.046). No significant differences were observed in mean serum CD163 and YKL-40 levels between patients and controls (p = 0.613, p = 0.769). Interestingly, a positive correlation was observed between CD163 and YKL-40 levels and ASD severity (p < 0.001 for both). Additionally, CD163 and YKL-40 levels showed significant predictive value for ASD severity. While no significant associations were found between CD163 and YKL-40 levels and language development, a negative correlation was observed between VILIP-1 levels and language development (p < 0.001). Our findings highlight that the levels of CD163 and YKL-40 significantly predicted ASD severity, indicating a potential role of neuroinflammation in the development of ASD.

Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and their association with neurodevelopmental features in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder

To investigate the levels of serum folate and vitamin B12 (VB12) and their association with the level of neurodevelopment in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 324 ASD children aged 2-6 years and 318 healthy children aged 2-6 years were recruited. Serum levels of folate and VB12 were measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay. The Social Responsiveness Scale and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale were used to assess the core symptoms of ASD children, and the Gesell Developmental Schedule was employed to evaluate the level of neurodevelopment. The levels of serum folate and VB12 in ASD children were significantly lower than those in healthy children (P<0.05). Serum folate levels in ASD children were positively correlated with gross and fine motor developmental quotients (P<0.05), and serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with adaptive behavior, fine motor, and language developmental quotients (P<0.05). In ASD children aged 2 to <4 years, serum folate levels were positively correlated with developmental quotients in all domains (P<0.05), and serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with language developmental quotient (P<0.05). In male ASD children, serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with language and personal-social developmental quotients (P<0.05). Serum folate and VB12 levels in preschool ASD children are lower than those in healthy children and are associated with neurodevelopmental levels, especially in ASD children under 4 years of age. Therefore, maintaining normal serum folate and VB12 levels may be beneficial for the neurodevelopment of ASD children, especially in ASD children under 4 years of age.

Expediting Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses Through Education, Training, and EMR-integration of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS-2) Diagnostic Tool (P1-8.008)

Expediting Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses Through Education, Training, and EMR-integration of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS-2) Diagnostic Tool (P1-8.008)

Immediate effect of physical activity on the autonomic nervous system in individuals with autism spectrum disorders of different age groups: a randomised trial

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most complex neurodevelopmental disorders. It affects almost all human physiological systems. Individuals with ASD often display dysregulation in their autonomic nervous system...

Effectiveness of AI-driven Individualized Learning Approach for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

IntroductionAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition with varying degrees of social, emotional and behavioural disability. These children require focused and individualised learning plan to facilitate social integration. Robots have been used for this purpose but are not routinely available in several parts of the world. Effective, point of care (POC) digital therapies that can be used anywhere by anyone is the need of the day.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven individualised learning plans delivered through POC digital platform (CognitiveBotics) for children with ASD.MethodsAfter Ethical approval and parental consent, children diagnosed with ASD (Childhood Autism Rating Scale CARS 2) aged 2 years and above were screened for study inclusion and exclusion criteria and enrolled. AI driven individualised learning plan was administered through CognitiveBotics software that could be used on either computer or a tablet. Initially, interactive questions were administered to parents by the AI tool to understand child’s functioning. Based on these, an individualised learning plan was assigned. Each task is delivered using either interactive videos, chatbot and/or animated/AI games. The child’s progress is captured for attention (attempted questions, retries and timeouts) and retention (first time corrects and corrects) continuously. The initial interactive questions administered to parents were repeated to assess child’s progress in real life. Paired ‘t’ test using SPSS version 26 was used to compare initial and final data.ResultsOut of 85 registered children, 41 regularly used the AI tool. Mean age was 43.93 months (range 26 to 72 months). 37 (90.24%) were boys. The baseline mean scores (ranges), were CARS 33.48 (30-39.5); Social quotient 53.4 (27.25-80.32), Developmental quotient 71.35 (45.90-93.33) and IQ 62.34 (36.58-86.83). The base line mean score of parents assessed child function was 115.24 (range 58 to 215). A mean of 15.54 tasks were given (range 5 to 48). At the time of analysis with a mean follow up of 3 months (range 2 to 5 months) the children completed a mean of 10.10 tasks (range 0 to 42). There was significant improvement in child’s learning captured by the AI software based on attention and retention parameters (p = &lt;0.00001). This improvement was also reflected in parent assessed child function (mean 147.15, (59 to 231)) (p = &lt;0.00001). The percentage of improvement in both software captured and parent assessed child function was directly related to the amount of time spent by the child on the software.ConclusionsAI driven individualised learning approach is effective in teaching skills and promote social integration for children with ASD. Such technology can capture the child’s progress on a day-to-day basis and deliver personalised training.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared