Repetitive Patterns Of Behavior Research Articles

Characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder in pediatric rehabilitation at a referral hospital in Peru.

Motivation for the study. Despite the prevalence of ASD, research in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is scarce in Peru. Main findings. Of 120 children with a previous diagnosis of ASD, only 9.8% received inclusive education. The median age at diagnosis was 3.83 years. We also found that 78.4% had no disability certificate and 77.5% had incomplete psychological evaluation. The median time since the last physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions was 3 months, 8 months, and 3.5 months, respectively. Implications. These findings highlight the need to enhance early diagnosis, inclusive education, and evaluation and subsequent certification of disability, as well as to establish more timely interventions. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by developmental disorders, difficulties in social interaction and communication, and restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior. Despite its high prevalence, few studies have been conducted in rehabilitation settings. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of children with ASD from the Pediatric Rehabilitation Service of the Rebagliati Hospital (SRP-HNERM). Cross-sectional descriptive study. We reviewed the medical records of children under 14 years of age previously diagnosed with ASD from the SRP-HNERM during 2022. A total of 120 children with ASD were evaluated. The median age was 5 years. Most received regular education, but it was inclusive only for 9.8%. The mean age at diagnosis was 3.83 years. We found that 78.4% had no disability certificate and 77.5% of the participants had incomplete psychological evaluation. The median time since the last physical, occupational and speech therapy sessions was 3, 8 and 3.5 months respectively. The mean age at diagnosis of ASD was older than three years, and more than 75% of the patients had neither a disability certificate nor a complete psychological evaluation. The median time since the last rehabilitation therapy sessions was three months or more. Our findings highlight the need to improve early diagnosis, inclusive education and evaluation and subsequent certification of disability, as well as to establish timely interventions.

Neurobehavioral perspectives on autistic spectrum disorder

Understanding genetics and environmental influences in autism has been explored in greater depth in recent decades. However, the mechanism by which they converge that leads to autism still needs to be explored further. An autism diagnosis in DSM-5 results from a neurodevelopmental disorder hurting normal brain function, affecting communication and social interaction combined with restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. This paper reviews current work investigating how the underlying mechanism of the brain structure and function relates to the complex and aberrant behavioral manifestations of autism. Mapping this connection can provide us with a better understanding of autism signs and symptoms, making the process of accurate diagnosis more straightforward. As a complex neurobehavioral condition, autistic individuals process the environment and their interactions with others differently from those without autism. So, they make different perceptions and connections between themselves and the environment. Consequently, they will have difficulty communicating, forming relationships, and responding appropriately to their environment. It is this lifelong neurobehavioral dysfunction that prevents autistic individuals from adequately understanding what they perceive and the emotional expression of others. There will be differences in their mental states, how their brains work, and how their thinking processes will be affected by a neurodevelopmental disability.

Aflatoxin B1 exposure deteriorates immune abnormalities in a BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mouse model of autism by increasing inflammatory mediators' production in CD19-expressing cells

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficiencies in communication, repetitive and stereotyped behavioral patterns, and difficulties in reciprocal social engagement. The presence of immunological dysfunction in ASD has been well established. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a prevalent mycotoxin found in food and feed, causing immune toxicity and hepatotoxicity. AFB1 is significantly elevated in several regions around the globe. Existing research indicates that prolonged exposure to AFB1 results in neurological problems. The BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice, which were used as an autism model, exhibit the primary behavioral traits that define ASD, such as repeated, stereotyped behaviors and impaired social interactions. The main objective of this work was to assess the toxic impact of AFB1 in BTBR mice. This work aimed to examine the effects of AFB1 on the expression of Notch-1, IL-6, MCP-1, iNOS, GM-CSF, and NF-κB p65 by CD19+ B cells in the spleen of the BTBR using flow cytometry. We also verified the impact of AFB1 exposure on the mRNA expression levels of Notch-1, IL-6, MCP-1, iNOS, GM-CSF, and NF-κB p65 in the brain of BTBR mice using real-time PCR. The findings of our study showed that the mice treated with AFB1 in the BTBR group exhibited a substantial increase in the presence of CD19+Notch-1+, CD19+IL-6+, CD19+MCP-1+, CD19+iNOS+, CD19+GM-CSF+, and CD19+NF-κB p65+ compared to the mice in the BTBR group that were treated with saline. Our findings also confirmed that administering AFB1 to BTBR mice leads to elevated mRNA expression levels of Notch-1, IL-6, MCP-1, iNOS, GM-CSF, and NF-κB p65 in the brain, in comparison to BTBR mice treated with saline. The data highlight that exposure to AFB1 worsens immunological abnormalities by increasing the expression of inflammatory mediators in BTBR mice.

Autism's Impact on Cochlear Implantation Surgery Outcomes in Deaf Children.

Cochlear implants (CI) provide a hearing sense for severe to profound hearing-impaired patients, both adults and children, and they are a broadly effective and accepted therapeutic method for those patients. Also, Deaf children with comorbidities, including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), undergo cochlear implantation. ASDs are a group of developing disorders characterized by abnormalities in social interaction and communication with limited repetitive patterns of behavior. This study aimed to assess the effect of Autism on CI surgery outcomes in Deaf Children. We followed 12 autistic patients with cochlear implantation and 12 non-autistic cochlear-implanted patients for two years. The Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scores were used to assess 6, 12, and 24 months after cochlear implantation surgery. During the 24-month follow-up, the CAP means scores increased in both groups, and SIR and CAP progresses were considerably greater in non-ASD children (P<0.001). However, in ASD children, the progress of CAP and SIR variables were significant, with 99% and 95% confidence, respectively, at 24 months after surgery. Although the CIs could improve hearing performance in autistic patients, speech development after CIs in autistic children could affected by several factors, including the severity of autism, and this can be effective in providing pre-implant counseling to parents. The application of the alternative communication methods could be taken into account as a potential rehab technique.

Bridging Genetic Insights with Neuroimaging in Autism Spectrum Disorder-A Systematic Review.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an early onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and repetitive patterns of behavior. Family studies show that ASD is highly heritable, and hundreds of genes have previously been implicated in the disorder; however, the etiology is still not fully clear. Brain imaging and electroencephalography (EEG) are key techniques that study alterations in brain structure and function. Combined with genetic analysis, these techniques have the potential to help in the clarification of the neurobiological mechanisms contributing to ASD and help in defining novel therapeutic targets. To further understand what is known today regarding the impact of genetic variants in the brain alterations observed in individuals with ASD, a systematic review was carried out using Pubmed and EBSCO databases and following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. This review shows that specific genetic variants and altered patterns of gene expression in individuals with ASD may have an effect on brain circuits associated with face processing and social cognition, and contribute to excitation-inhibition imbalances and to anomalies in brain volumes.

Autism: Clinical impacts and late diagnosis in women - Literature review

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, marked by deficits in communication and social interaction and restricted and repetitive behavior patterns. With the expansion of information dissemination about autism and improvements in diagnostic methods, the prevalence of the disorder has increased considerably in recent decades. However, because autism has multiple facets and different presentations, diagnosis is still a challenge, especially in females, where there are singularities that further undermine suspicions, leading to underdiagnosis. Given this, there are multiple questions about the causes and implications of these factors in the diagnosis of autistic girls and women. Thus, the objective of this research is to verify the causal factors and clinical implications associated with the difficulty in diagnosing ASD in females. This is a narrative bibliographic review, in which research was carried out in established databases. In general, it is noted that the diagnosis of autism in girls and women can be impacted by genetic, developmental, psychological, social and cultural influences, involving factors such as subtlety of symptoms, capacity for social adaptability, lack of studies, failure to diagnostic methodologies and instruments, as well as stereotypes and prejudices. Understanding these elements is essential to broaden the perspective of girls and women with ASD, highlight their particularities and ensure that they receive early diagnosis and treatment.

Utilizing Constructed Neural Networks for Autism Screening

Autism Spectrum Disorder is known to cause difficulties in social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or hobbies. These challenges can significantly affect the individual’s daily life. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and assess children with Autism Spectrum Disorder early to significantly benefit the long-term health of children. Unfortunately, many children are not diagnosed or are misdiagnosed, which means they miss out on the necessary interventions. Clinicians and other experts face various challenges during the diagnostic process. Digital tools can facilitate early diagnosis effectively. This study aimed to explore the use of machine learning techniques on a dataset collected from a serious game designed for children with autism to investigate how these techniques can assist in classification and make the clinical process more efficient. The responses were gathered from children who participated in interactive games deployed on mobile devices, and the data were analyzed using various types of neural networks, such as multilayer perceptrons and constructed neural networks. The performance metrics of these models, including error rate, precision, and recall, were reported, and the comparative experiments revealed that the constructed neural network using the integer rule-based neural networks approach was superior. Based on the evaluation metrics, this method showed the lowest error rate of 11.77%, a high accuracy of 0.75, and a good recall of 0.66. Thus, it can be an effective way to classify both typically developed children and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Additionally, it can be used for automatic screening procedures in an intelligent system. The results indicate that clinicians could use these techniques to enhance conventional screening methods and contribute to providing better care for individuals with autism.

The Efficacy of Music Therapy Programs on the Development of Social Communication in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children is characterized by difficulties in social communication and restricted repetitive behavior patterns. Music therapy appears to have beneficial effects in the area of social interaction and communication. The aim of this systematic literature review is to investigate the effectiveness of music therapy programs on the development of social communication among preschool- and school-aged children with ASD. For this purpose, a detailed study of the relevant literature that has been published in the last decade in peer-reviewed scientific journals was conducted. Web of Science, Springer Link, PsyINFO, and ERIC databases were searched, and according to the eligibility and exclusion criteria, 12 studies were finally selected from the 167 initially found. From the analysis of the results, the following categories were defined to contribute to enhancing social communication: (a) improvisational music therapy; (b) joint attention and eye contact; (c) therapeutic relationship, synchronization, and attunement; (d) imitation; (e) understanding and interaction; (f) family-centered music therapy; and (g) language and socioemotional adjustment. The results of the review were mixed, as music therapy appeared to have a positive effect on improving the social communication of children with ASD, but a general conclusion could not be drawn about the degree of its effectiveness compared to the standard treatments that children usually receive. In the future, further research in this field, especially on the improvisational music Therapy technique, is recommended. Moreover, an increased focus on the development of a common methodological practice regarding the sample selection process and measurement tools is suggested.

A Multi-Target mechanism of Withania somnifera bioactive compounds in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Treatment: Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations studies

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder resulting from variations in brain structure and function. Individuals with ASD often experience challenges in communication and social interaction, along with engaging in repetitive or restricted patterns of behavior and interests. The lack of documented data and the wide range of pathophysiological processes associated with ASDmake it challenging to work which causes a major financial burden on health care management. Withania somnifera, often referred to as ashwagandha is the tropical winter cherry in the Solanaceae family that can be used to treat several ailments such as asthma, stress, hypertension,diabetes, cancer, arthritic, and neural disorders including ASD. In this investigation, we examined the active compound-target-pathway network and discovered that Withanolide J, Withanone, and Withaferin A have a great role in the onset of ASD by influencing the IL6 gene. Later, the molecular docking method was applied for confirmation of the active compound's effective action against the prospective target. The molecular dynamics simulation exhibited that the complexes of Withanolide J and Withanone had stable intermolecular binding conformation and unveiled very stable dynamics during the simulation time. A combined network pharmacology and molecular docking approach demonstrated that W. somnifera exhibits a promising preventive impact on ASD by targeting relevant signaling pathways associated with the disorder. This establishes a foundation for comprehending the underlying mechanism of the anti-ASD activity of W. somnifera.

Autism Severity and its Relationship to Disability.

Autism severity is currently defined and measured based exclusively on the severity levels of the two core symptom domains: social-communication and restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviors and interests. Autistic individuals, however, are often diagnosed with other medical, developmental, and psychological co-occurring conditions. These additional challenges such as intellectual disability, limited expressive and/or receptive language, and anxiety disorders, can have a tremendous impact on the day-to-day lives of autistic individuals, for both their adaptive functioning as well as their sense of wellbeing. Furthermore, the initial presentation of core symptoms and their likelihood of changing over time are influenced by the presence of such co-occurring conditions. In order to truly understand how a person's autism impacts their life, both core symptoms as well as other challenges should be considered. This approach was recently taken by The Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism, which proposed the term "profound autism" for a subgroup of individuals presenting with high core symptom severity, co-occurring intellectual disability, and little or no language, who require extensive long-term care. Considering other individual factors such as daily living skills, specific support needs and environmental resources would also enhance the evaluation of disability in autistic individuals. As currently employed in the assessment of intellectual disability, a multidimensional approach to autism could provide a more comprehensive system for classification of impairment. At present, however, there is no formal way to designate the combined effect of these different aspects of autism on a person's life. A comprehensive outlook that acknowledges impairments, capabilities, co-occurring conditions, and environmental factors would be useful for identifying subgroups of individuals as well as for determining individual needs and strengths in clinical assessments. Lay Summary: The severity of a person's autism is currently defined based on the severity of their core autism symptoms: impaired social-communication and the presence of restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviors and interests. But autistic people often face additional challenges such as intellectual disability, epilepsy, and anxiety disorder, that considerably impact their everyday life, wellbeing, and the need for support. A more complete view of autism severity, one that includes core symptoms as well as additional challenges, could help identify meaningful sub-groups of autistic individuals and could be useful in clinical care. Appeared originally in Autism Res 2023; 16:685-696.

Evaluation of SNP in the CDH8 and CDH10 Genes Associated with Autism Using In-Silico Tools

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined as a pervasive and multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder (ND). It is characterized by repetitive behavioral patterns as well as symptoms of social interaction and communication disorder. The cadherin (CDH) superfamily is a large group of synaptic cell adhesion molecules and has been widely related with ND, including autism. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potentially deleterious missense single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CDH8 and CDH10 genes, which are related with ASD and cause amino acid changes, using internet-based software tools. To identify potentially harmful missense SNPs; all SNPs were screened using SIFT, PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, SNPs&amp;GO, Meta-SNP, and SNAP2 software tools, and common deleterious ones were filtered out. Its effect on protein stabilization was investigated with I-Mutant 3.0 and MUpro tools. Three-dimensional models of these common damaging amino acid changes were evaluated with the HOPE software. As a result of in silico analysis of 577 missense SNPs in the CDH8 gene; The rs145143780 (Y572C) polymorphism common damaging ‎SNP has been detected by all software tools.‎ According to the results of the in silico analysis of 526 missense SNPs found in the CDH10 gene; The rs13174039 (V459G), rs147882578 (N485K), rs201423740 (Y306C), rs201956238 (F317L) and rs373340564 (R128C) common damaging SNPs have been identified in all polymorphisms by all software tools. As a result of this study, it is thought that the data obtained will make important contributions to future relevant experimental studies.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder and Its Possible Origins in Pregnancy.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) belongs to the group of neurodevelopmental disorders, and has a high prevalence, affecting 1 in 100 children according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). To be diagnosed with ASD, the child must have persistent deficits in communication and social interactions, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Despite its prevalence, the etiology of ASD is still uncertain, with multifactorial characteristics, including those associated with the gestational period, where maternal exposure to biological, chemical, or physical hazards occurs, some of which have already been proposed as causes of ASD outcomes. Since pregnancy requires a balance between the maternal-fetal binomial, the breakdown of this balance caused by such environmental hazards can lead to altered fetal neurodevelopment, including ASD. With this firmly in mind, this review aims to compile the most recent data on the gestational causes that may be associated with the development of ASD to help health professionals identify risk factors and act for the prevention and management of ASD.

Understanding and supporting the diversity of the autistic spectrum

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects people's communication, social interaction and behavior. This article aims to explore autism in detail, addressing its characteristics, causes, diagnosis and impact on people's lives. In developing the article, a comprehensive review of available literature was carried out, including scientific studies, reports from health organizations and personal experiences of autistic individuals and their families. The introduction presented an overview of autism, emphasizing the importance of understanding the complexity of the autism spectrum, which encompasses a wide variety of individual profiles and characteristics. The need to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people on the autism spectrum in society was also highlighted. In developing the article, the main characteristics of autism were discussed, including difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, challenges in social interaction, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, sensory sensitivities and variations in cognitive development. The importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary assessment to identify autism and initiate appropriate interventions was addressed. The possible causes of autism were also explored, such as genetic, environmental and neurobiological factors, highlighting the complexity and multifactorial nature of the disorder. Another point discussed in the development of the article were the approaches and interventions used to support people on the autism spectrum. Behavioral strategies, specialized therapies, educational support, environmental adaptations and social inclusion programs were mentioned as important components to promote the development and quality of life of autistic people. The importance of the teacher's role in the classroom was highlighted, emphasizing the need for an inclusive and individualized approach. Strategies such as adapting the environment, clear communication, individualized instruction and promoting social interaction were discussed as ways to support autistic students in the school environment. The conclusion reinforced the importance of promoting an inclusive society aware of the needs of autistic people. The need for greater awareness, acceptance and support to overcome the challenges and barriers faced by autistic people in society was highlighted. It was also highlighted that when provided with appropriate support and an inclusive environment, autistic people have the potential to flourish, contribute and achieve a full and meaningful life. Finally, bibliographic references were provided to support and validate the information presented in the article.

Standard Operating Procedure for the Arrests and Detentions of Individuals with Autism in Four Countries

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is categorized under neuro-developmental disorders. Individuals with this disorder experience deficits in social interaction and communication skills as well as repetitive patterns of thoughts and behaviours. The purpose of this study was to comparatively analyze the similarities and differences in Malaysian PDRM Autism SOPs with other countries, namely Malaysia, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and four countries in the United States, namely, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Illinois, and Virginia. This research focuses on discussing the important elements emphasized in SOPs and some aspects of similarities and differences between them. The research design is based on document analysis. The data were analyzed descriptively and thematically. Research results that autistic people put them at risk of committing violations of the law without realizing or intending to do so. Since they are also categorized as persons with disabilities, they are thus entitled to legal guarantees appropriate to their status. Therefore, their rights to equality and non-discrimination as persons with disabilities attracted worldwide attention holistically, resulting in specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in several countries, including Malaysia, namely, the Royal Malaysian Police Autism SOP (PDRM). Likewise, there are several important elements outlined in all SOPs, in aspects of their application, legal references, methods of arrest and detention, and intermediary assistance, and there are some similarities and differences between the SOPs analyzed. The implications of this study show the importance of SOPs for autism arrest and prisoners, to meet their specific legal needs.

Understanding Residents’ Behavior for Smart City Management by Sequential and Periodic Pattern Mining

Understanding the residents’ routine and repetitive behavior patterns is important for city planners and strategic partners to enact appropriate city management policies. However, the existing approaches reported in smart city management areas often rely on clustering or machine learning, which are ineffective in capturing such behavioral patterns. Aiming to address this research gap, this article proposes an analytical framework, adopting sequential and periodic pattern mining techniques, to effectively discover residents’ routine behavior patterns. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is demonstrated in a case study of American public behavior based on a large-scale venue check-in dataset. The dataset was collected in 2020 (during the global pandemic due to COVID-19) and contains 257 561 check-in data of 3995 residents. The findings uncovered interesting behavioral patterns and venue visit information of residents in the United States during the pandemic, which could help the public and crisis management in cities.

Prenatal Exposure to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 Induces Autism-Like Behaviors in Male Neonatal Rats: Insights into WNT and BDNF Signaling Perturbations

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the swift development and distribution of mRNA vaccines, including BNT162b2, to address the disease. Concerns have arisen about the potential neurodevelopmental implications of these vaccines, especially in susceptible groups such as pregnant women and their offspring. This study aimed to investigate the gene expression of WNT, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, specific cytokines, m-TOR expression, neuropathology, and autism-related neurobehavioral outcomes in a rat model. Pregnant rats received the COVID-19 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine during gestation. Subsequent evaluations on male and female offspring included autism-like behaviors, neuronal counts, and motor performance. Molecular techniques were applied to quantify WNT and m-TOR gene expressions, BDNF levels, and specific cytokines in brain tissue samples. The findings were then contextualized within the extant literature to identify potential mechanisms. Our findings reveal that the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine significantly alters WNT gene expression and BDNF levels in both male and female rats, suggesting a profound impact on key neurodevelopmental pathways. Notably, male rats exhibited pronounced autism-like behaviors, characterized by a marked reduction in social interaction and repetitive patterns of behavior. Furthermore, there was a substantial decrease in neuronal counts in critical brain regions, indicating potential neurodegeneration or altered neurodevelopment. Male rats also demonstrated impaired motor performance, evidenced by reduced coordination and agility. Our research provides insights into the effects of the COVID-19 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine on WNT gene expression, BDNF levels, and certain neurodevelopmental markers in a rat model. More extensive studies are needed to confirm these observations in humans and to explore the exact mechanisms. A comprehensive understanding of the risks and rewards of COVID-19 vaccination, especially during pregnancy, remains essential.

Incidence of Otolaryngological Manifestations in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Special Focus on Auditory Disorders.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by stereotyped and repetitive behavior patterns. In addition to neurological and behavioral problems, individuals with ASD commonly experience otolaryngological comorbidities. Individuals with ASD often have auditory disorders including hearing loss and auditory processing disorders such as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), as well as both chronic and recurrent otitis media. These challenges negatively impact a person's ability to effectively communicate and may further impact their neurological functioning, particularly when not appropriately treated. Individuals diagnosed with ASD also have difficulty sleeping which contributes to increased irritability and may further aggravate the core behavioral symptoms of autism. The individuals with ASD also have a higher rate of sinusitis which contributes to the worsening of the autism behavior phenotype. The high prevalence of otolaryngological comorbidities in individuals with ASD warrants a better collaboration between their various healthcare providers and otolaryngologists with expertise in auditory, sleep, and sinus disorders in pursuit of improving the quality of life of affected individuals and their families/caregivers.

Exercise in the Treatment of Repetitive, Self-Injurious, and Aggressive Behavior in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Neurobiological Analysis

Objective: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by markedly impaired social interaction and restricted/ repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. Maladaptive behaviors associated with ASD can include stereotyped, self-injurious, and aggressive behaviors. Current evidence-based interventions for ASD involve specialist availability, financial, time, and side effect constraints. Physical exercise has received increasing attention in the treatment of children with ASD, but research in adults is comparatively scarce. The purpose of this paper is to explore possible mechanisms by which exercise can reduce repetitive, self-injurious, and aggressive behaviors in adults with ASD. Methods: The literature on the neurobiology of exercise is reviewed and compared with the literature on the neurobiology of ASD. Information from this comparison is then used to formulate possible mechanisms by which exercise may reduce maladaptive behaviors in adults with ASD. Results: Plausible mechanisms for an exercise-induced beneficial effect on maladaptive behaviors in adults with ASD include modulation of neurotransmitter release and function, facilitation of endocannabinoid release, increased expression of neurotrophic factors, improved functional connectivity in higher-level cognitive networks, reduced oxidative stress, improved HPA axis function, treatment of comorbid depression, and reduction in amyloid beta deposition in cortical GABAergic neurons and subcortical structures. Conclusions: Future research should attempt to confirm the efficacy of exercise in reducing maladaptive behaviors in adults with ASD as well as the proposed mechanisms for such a relationship. Verification of these issues would have major implications in terms of supporting an evidence-based, inexpensive, widely available, and broadly beneficial treatment for adults with ASD.

Korean Clinical Guideline for Autism Spectrum Disorder - Clinical Features, Course, Epidemiology, and Cause.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous developmental disorder characterized by impairments in two core areas: 1) social communication and interaction and 2) restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviors and interests. In general, ASD is known to be a lifelong disorder. Follow-up studies from childhood to adulthood have reported that the severity of the key symptoms ASD decreases over time. However, chronic health problems including mental health occur in many patients with ASD. The prevalence of ASD has increased from around 0.04% in the 1970s to 2.8% at present. The average age of diagnosis in developed countries is 38-120 months of age. Recent evidence suggests that biological factors which include genetic, congenital, immunological, neuroanatomical, biochemical, and environmental ones are important in causing autism. Until now, early signs and various risk factors of ASD have been suggested.

Social Behavior in Animal Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits and stereotyped, repetitive patterns of behaviors, limited interests, and cognitive impairment. Especially, social deficit has been considered a core feature of ASD. Because of the limitations of the experimental approach in humans, valid animal models are essential in an effort to identify novel therapeutics for social deficits in ASD. The genetic and environmental factors are clinically relevant to the pathophysiology of ASD. Epidemiological studies demonstrate environmental interventions such as prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA). Prenatal exposure to VPA represents a robust model of ASD exhibiting face, construct, and predictive validity. Here, we introduce protocols of the social interaction test and the three-chamber test for evaluating social deficits in mice prenatally exposed to VPA.