Biomedical subjects

K Williams

Publications and source records attributed to K Williams.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Validity of the social communication questionnaire in assessing risk of autism in preschool children with developmental problems.

This study estimates the sensitivity and specificity of the social communication questionnaire (SCQ) for autistic spectrum disorders in preschool children at high risk for developmental problems referred to a tertiary centre and compares the predictions of the SCQ and the referrer. The SCQ was completed by 81 parents prior to multidisciplinary assessment and compared with the final diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity were 93% and 58% for children aged 2-6, and 100 and 62% for children aged 3-5 years, with a cut-off score of 11. The SCQ performed better than referrers. Low-specificity means the SCQ is not suitable as a diagnostic tool but will assist clinicians and tertiary services in selecting children with developmental problems who require autism-specific assessment.

Autistic Disorder↗

PubMed2006

Identification of genetic loci associated with ear-emergence in bread wheat.

A doubled haploid population constructed from a cross between the South Australian wheat cultivars 'Trident' and 'Molineux' was grown under winter field conditions, under field conditions over summer and under artificial light both with and without vernalisation. The duration from planting to ear-emergence was recorded and QTL associated with heading date were detected using a previously constructed genetic linkage map. Associations were shown with chromosomal regions syntenous to previously identified photoperiod (Ppd-B1) and vernalisation (Vrn-A1) sensitive loci. Additional QTL associated with time to heading were also identified on chromosomes 1A, 2A, 2B, 6D, 7A and 7B. Comparisons between the genetic associations observed under the different growing conditions allowed the majority of these loci to be classified as having either photoperiod-sensitive, vernalisation-sensitive or earliness per se actions. The identification of a photoperiod-sensitive QTL on chromosome 1A provides evidence for a wheat gene possibly homoeologous to Ppd-H2 previously identified on chromosome 1H of barley. The occurrence of a putative major gene for photoperiod sensitivity observed on chromosome 7A is presented. The combined additive effects at these loci accounted for more than half the phenotypic variance in the duration from planting to ear-emergence in this population. The possible role of these loci on the adaptation of wheat in Australia is discussed.

Chromosomes, Plant↗

PubMed2006

Auditory integration training and other sound therapies for autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of auditory integration training (AIT) or other methods of sound therapy in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review was carried out of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adults or children with ASD. Meta-analysis was attempted. RESULTS: Six RCTs of AIT, including one crossover trial, were identified, with a total of 171 participants aged 3-39 years. 17 different outcome measures were used, with only two outcome measures used by three or more studies. Meta-analysis was not possible owing to very high heterogeneity or presentation of data in unusable forms. Three studies did not show any benefit of AIT over control conditions. Three studies reported improvements at 3 months in the AIT group for total mean scores of the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC), which is of questionable validity. Of these, one study also reported improvements at 3 months in the AIT group for ABC subgroup scores. No significant adverse effects of AIT were reported. CONCLUSION: At present there is not sufficient evidence to support its use.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2006

The contribution of demyelination to axonal loss in multiple sclerosis.

The traditional notion that multiple sclerosis is a primary demyelinating disease has led to a plaque-centred view of both aetiology and the pathogenesis of disease progression. The presence of axonal loss has received increasing recognition. However, the relative roles of demyelination and axonal loss have not been fully clarified in multiple sclerosis nor have their possible interrelationships been elucidated. Post-mortem material from the cerebrum, brainstem and spinal cord of 55 multiple sclerosis patients (29 males) with an age range of 25-83 years (mean = 57.5 years) and length of disease history ranging from 2 to 43 years (mean = 17.1 years) was stained for myelin. Plaque load was calculated by summing the relative proportion of plaque area compared with total white matter area of the corticospinal and sensory tracts at each level. This was related to estimates of axonal density and of total axon number in these tracts in the spinal cord. Our results indicate that plaque load did not correlate with brain weight. Unexpectedly, after adjusting for sex, age and duration of disease, correlations between total plaque load and axonal loss in both the corticospinal tract and sensory tracts were weak or absent at each level investigated. Since there was little correlation between plaque load and axonal loss, the possibility that demyelination is not the primary determinant of spinal cord axonal loss warrants consideration.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The genetic control of milling yield, dough rheology and baking quality of wheat.

Improving the end-use quality of wheat is a key target for many breeding programmes. With the exception of the relationship between glutenin alleles and some dough rheological characters, knowledge concerning the genetic control of wheat quality traits is somewhat limited. A doubled haploid population produced from a cross between two Australian cultivars 'Trident' and 'Molineux' has been used to construct a linkage map based largely on microsatellite molecular makers. 'Molineux' is superior to 'Trident' for a number of milling, dough rheology and baking quality characteristics, although by international standards 'Trident' would still be regarded as possessing moderately good end-use quality. This population was therefore deemed useful for investigation of wheat end-use quality. A number of significant QTL identified for dough rheological traits mapped to HMW and LMW glutenin loci on chromosomes 1A and 1B. However, QTL associated with dough strength and loaf volume were also identified on chromosome 2A and a significant QTL associated with loaf volume and crumb quality was identified on chromosome 3A. A QTL for flour protein content and milling yield was identified on chromosome 6A and a QTL associated with flour colour reported previously on chromosome 7B was confirmed in this population. The detection of loci affecting dough strength, loaf volume and flour protein content may provide fresh opportunities for the application of marker-assisted selection to improve bread-making quality.

Alleles↗

PubMed2006

Analysis of a cross between green and red fluorescent trypanosomes.

Trypanosoma brucei undergoes genetic exchange in its insect vector, but the mechanism is unknown and no one has yet seen the process. By crossing genetically engineered red and green fluorescent trypanosomes, we have been able to pinpoint the location of genetic exchange in the fly and search for intermediate stages. In experimental crosses of red and green parental trypanosomes, yellow hybrid trypanosomes first appeared in the fly salivary glands as early as 13 days after infection and were observed only in flies with a mixture of red and green trypanosomes in one or both salivary glands. Despite high numbers of flies with mixed infections, yellow trypanosomes were not detected in the fly midgut or proventriculus. The hybrid nature of yellow trypanosomes was confirmed by analysis of molecular karyotypes and microsatellite alleles. As well as yellow hybrids, hybrid trypanosomes with red, green or no fluorescence were also recovered from fly salivary glands. Analysis of microsatellite alleles in parental and progeny clones showed Mendelian inheritance. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that mating takes place between trypanosomes in the salivary glands of the fly before they attach to the salivary gland epithelium.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Can oral anticoagulation be managed using telemedicine and patient self-testing? A pilot study.

We report a feasibility study of patient self-testing telemedicine for anticoagulant management using TOPCARE (Telematic Homecare Platform in Cooperative Health Care Provider Networks, developed by the European Commission for a user-friendly information society). TOPCARE comprises a Home Telematic Box (TOPCARE BOX), a central database held on a remote server and secure computer terminals in the anticoagulant clinic. The TOPCARE BOX transmits encrypted International Normalized Ratio (INR) results from the CoaguChek S monitor (Roche Diagnostics) via the patient's telephone line to the database, which is accessed by health-care professionals via the Internet. The database displays the patient's anticoagulant record, highlighting out of range results, overdue tests and quality control results. The database can also send information back to the TOPCARE box, although currently only the next test date can be transmitted. 23 patients, on long-term oral anticoagulation were recruited from the hospital anticoagulant clinic. After completing a nurse-led training course, patients tested their INR weekly on a CoaguChek S and transmitted their results via the TOPCARE BOX. The nurse specialist accessed the patient's results, electronically entered the date of the next test. Changes in warfarin dose were telephoned. Four patients dropped out early in the study and 19 patients received TOPCARE BOXs of which nine were fully functional. Unintentional software misconfiguration meant that remaining 10 TOPCARE BOXs were nonfunctional (these were later reconfigured but not reintroduced into the study). Patients successfully transmitted 222 results over a 5-month period using the TOPCARE system. Early server problems were resolved, but intermittent problems with database access persisted and five results were not received by the server. Although concerns were raised regarding technical problems, feedback from patients and staff was favourable and the system thought to be user-friendly. In conclusion, this pilot study showed that telemedicine is a feasible option for anticoagulant management, but that the technology requires thorough testing prior to installation.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2006

Short-term effects of severe dietary carbohydrate-restriction advice in Type 2 diabetes--a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine the effects of a 3-month programme of dietary advice to restrict carbohydrate intake compared with reduced-portion, low-fat advice in obese subjects with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred and two patients with Type 2 diabetes were recruited across three centres and randomly allocated to receive group education and individual dietary advice. Weight, glycaemic control, lipids and blood pressure were assessed at baseline and 3 months. Dietary quality was assessed at the end of study. RESULTS: Weight loss was greater in the low-carbohydrate (LC) group (-3.55 +/- 0.63, mean +/- sem) vs. -0.92 +/- 0.40 kg, P = 0.001) and cholesterol : high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio improved (-0.48 +/- 0.11 vs. -0.10 +/- 0.10, P = 0.01). However, relative saturated fat intake was greater (13.9 +/- 0.71 vs. 11.0 +/- 0.47% of dietary intake, P < 0.001), although absolute intakes were moderate. CONCLUSIONS: Carbohydrate restriction was an effective method of achieving short-term weight loss compared with standard advice, but this was at the expense of an increase in relative saturated fat intake.

Cholesterol↗

PubMed2005

A QTL located on chromosome 4A associated with dormancy in white- and red-grained wheats of diverse origin.

Improved resistance to preharvest sprouting in modern bread wheat (Triticum aestivum. L.) can be achieved via the introgression of grain dormancy and would reduce both the incidence and severity of damage due to unfavourable weather at harvest. The dormancy phenotype is strongly influenced by environmental factors making selection difficult and time consuming and this trait an obvious candidate for marker assisted selection. A highly significant Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) associated with grain dormancy and located on chromosome 4A was identified in three bread wheat genotypes, two white- and one red-grained, of diverse origin. Flanking SSR markers on either side of the putative dormancy gene were identified and validated in an additional population involving one of the dormant genotypes. Genotypes containing the 4A QTL varied in dormancy phenotype from dormant to intermediate dormant. Based on a comparison between dormant red- and white-grained genotypes, together with a white-grained mutant derived from the red-grained genotype, it is concluded that the 4A QTL is a critical component of dormancy; associated with at least an intermediate dormancy on its own and a dormant phenotype when combined with the R gene in the red-grained genotype and as yet unidentified gene(s) in the white-grained genotypes. These additional genes appeared to be different in AUS1408 and SW95-50213.

Australia↗

PubMed2005

Influence of Pro12Ala peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma2 polymorphism on glucose response to exercise training in type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Exercise training improves glycaemic control in some but not all individuals and little research has been done regarding genetic impact on the exercise training response in type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the Pro(12)Ala variant of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma2 gene on changes in fasting plasma glucose in response to exercise training. METHODS: The study population comprised 139 sedentary type 2 diabetic patients (age: 54.4+/-7.2; HbA(1)c: 7.7+/-0.9%) who completed 3 months of supervised exercise training. The primary outcome variable in our analysis was the post-intervention change in blood glucose. Other assessments included measures of body composition, insulin sensitivity indices and maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)). RESULTS: The frequency of the Ala allele was 8.3% and the genotypes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. At baseline, neither body composition variables (weight, BMI, waist circumference), glucose homeostasis variables (glucose, insulin, HbA(1)c, homeostasis model assessment method) nor VO(2max) were different between genotypes (wild-type: Pro(12)Pro n=117, Ala carriers: X(12)Ala n=22). The exercise-training intervention led to similar improvements in body composition and glucose homeostasis variables in both genotype groups (p<0.05). The change in fasting plasma glucose was significantly different between PPARgamma2 genotypes (-1.66 mmol/l vs -0.54 mmol/l, Ala carriers and wild-type, respectively) (p=0.034 unadjusted and p=0.089 including baseline glucose) and the significant association between genotype and glucose response remained after adjusting for statistically significant predictors (age, changes in insulin and BMI [p=0.015]) and including baseline glucose, insulin and BMI (p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These data suggest that the Pro(12)Ala polymorphism may influence the glycaemic response to exercise in type 2 diabetes.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

The financial cost of treating polytrauma: implications for tertiary referral centres in the United Kingdom.

This observational study was designed to evaluate the financial cost and resources needed to treat a polytrauma patient at a tertiary care centre in the United Kingdom. Sixty-nine patients, from outside the normal hospital catchment area, were referred to a University Hospital and treated for polytrauma (injury severity score>15). Fifty-one patients had head injuries in addition to other injuries. Fourteen patients died in hospital. Forty-seven patients spent 316 ITU days with a total of 832 hospital days. One hundred and ninety-six operating hours were used for their surgical treatment and only 13 patients required neurosurgical intervention. There were 580 radiological and 2967 blood investigations. The total cost of treating these patients was 974,874 pounds. The money received by the hospital from the respective primary care trusts was an average of 1500 pounds per patient for the full treatment including follow up. Thus, the fiscal deficit was 871,375 pounds. This study indicates that the financial accounting for complex cases is antiquated and inaccurate within the NHS. Tertiary referral centres receive only 10% of the appropriate money for treatment of polytrauma patients. The number of patients is relatively small, but their impact on the local services is very high.

Accounting↗

PubMed2005

Islet cell response in the neonatal rat after exposure to a high-fat diet during pregnancy.

Although pancreatic beta-cells are capable of adapting their mass in response to insulin requirements, evidence has shown that a dietary insult could compromise this ability. Fetal malnutrition has been linked to low birth weight and the development of type 2 diabetes later in life, while reduced beta-cell mass has been reported in adult rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Reported here are the effects of exposure to a HFD, during different periods of gestation, on neonatal rat weight and beta- and alpha-cell development. The experimental groups were composed of neonatal offspring obtained from Wistar rats fed a high-fat (40% as energy) diet for either the first (HF1), second (HF2), or third (HF3) week, or all three (HF1-3) weeks of gestation. Neonatal weights and circulating glucose and insulin concentrations were measured on postnatal day 1, after which the pancreata were excised and processed for histological immunocytochemical examination and image analysis. HF1 and HF2 neonates were hypoglycemic, whereas HF1-3 neonates were hyperglycemic. Low birth weights were observed only in HF1 neonates. No significant differences were detected in the circulating insulin concentrations in the neonates, although beta-cell volume and numbers were reduced in HF1-3 neonates. beta-cell numbers also declined in HF1 and HF3 neonates. alpha-cell volume, number and size were, however, increased in HF1-3 neonates. alpha-cell size was also increased in HF1 and HF3 neonates. In neonates, exposure to a maternal HFD throughout gestation was found to have the most adverse effect on beta-cell development and resulted in hyperglycemia.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The role of monocytes and perivascular macrophages in HIV and SIV neuropathogenesis: information from non-human primate models.

Perivascular macrophages are located in the perivascular space of cerebral microvessels and thus uniquely situated at the intersection between the brain parenchyma and blood. Connections between the nervous and immune systems are mediated in part through these cells that are ideally located to sense perturbations in the periphery and turnover by cells entering the central nervous system (CNS) from the circulation. It has become clear that unique subsets of brain macrophages exist in normal and SIV- or HIV-infected brains, and perivascular macrophages and similar cells in the meninges and choroid plexus play a central role in lentiviral neuropathogenesis. Common to all these cell populations is their likely replacement within the CNS by monocytes. Studies of SIV-infected non-human primates and HIV-infected humans underscore the importance of virus-infected and activated monocytes, which traffic to the CNS from blood to become perivascular macrophages, potentially drive the blood-brain barrier damage and cause neuronal injury. This review summarizes what we know about SIV- and HIV-induced neuropathogenesis focusing on brain perivascular macrophages and their precursors in blood that may mediate HIV CNS infection and injury.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

PubMed2005

Microwave detection at 110 Ghz by nanowires with broken symmetry.

By using arrays of nanowires with intentionally broken symmetry, we were able to detect microwaves up to 110 GHz at room temperature. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the highest speed that has been demonstrated in different types of novel electronic nanostructures to date. Our experiments showed a rather stable detection sensitivity over a broad frequency range from 100 MHz to 110 GHz. The novel working principle enabled the nanowires to detect microwaves efficiently without a dc bias. In principle, the need for only one high-resolution lithography step and the planar architecture allow an arbitrary number of nanowires to be made by folding a linear array as many times as required over a large area, for example, a whole wafer. Our experiment on 18 parallel nanowires showed a sensitivity of approximately 75 mV dc output/mW of nominal input power of the 110 GHz signal, even though only about 0.4% of the rf power was effectively applied to the structure because of an impedance mismatch. Because this array of nanowires operates simultaneously, low detection noise was achieved, allowing us to detect -25 dBm 110 GHz microwaves at zero bias with a standard setup.

Electric Impedance↗

PubMed2005

Bactericidal activity of the nitroimidazopyran PA-824 in a murine model of tuberculosis.

The nitroimidazopyran PA-824 has potent in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a narrow spectrum of activity limited primarily to the M. tuberculosis complex, and no demonstrable cross-resistance to a variety of antituberculosis drugs. In a series of experiments, we sequentially characterized the activity of PA-824 in an experimental murine model of tuberculosis. The minimal effective dose was 12.5 mg/kg of body weight/day. The minimal bactericidal dose (MBD) was 100 mg/kg/day. When PA-824 was used as monotherapy at the MBD, it exhibited promising bactericidal activity during the initial intensive phase of therapy that was similar to that of the equipotent dose of isoniazid in humans. In combination with isoniazid, PA-824 prevented the selection of isoniazid-resistant mutants. Perhaps more importantly, PA-824 also demonstrated potent activity during the continuation phase of therapy, during which it targeted bacilli that had persisted through an initial 2-month intensive phase of treatment with rifampin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide. Together, these data strongly support further evaluation of PA-824 in combination with first- or second-line antituberculosis drugs to determine its potential contribution to the treatment of drug-susceptible or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Hospitalisations from birth to 5 years in a population cohort of Western Australian children with intellectual disability.

AIMS: To describe the hospitalisation history in the first five years of life for all children born in Western Australia (WA) between 1983 and 1992 and diagnosed with intellectual disability (ID). METHODS: Unit record linkage of the WA Midwives Collection, WA Intellectual Disability Database, and the WA Hospital Morbidity Dataset provided the population database of WA born children with and without ID. Affected children were divided into those co-affected with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and those whose ID had or had no known biomedical cause. Those without a biomedical cause were further subdivided into mild-moderate and severe categories. RESULTS: On average, ID affected children were more likely than non-affected children to be admitted to hospital (RR: 1.64; 95% CI 1.6 to 1.7), on more occasions (5.3 versus 2.2 admissions), for longer (29.6 versus 8.3 days), and for a larger range of clinical diagnoses. The only exception was the group of children co-diagnosed with ASD whose hospitalisation profile resembled more that of non-affected children. CONCLUSIONS: This total population study is unique because of the availability of the system of linkable population registers and administrative health databases in WA. The results indicated that this vulnerable population of children with ID has substantial medical needs. This paper points to the need for authorities to develop supportive programmes for this population especially in the current climate of de-medicalisation of ID. More research is not only needed on the welfare of the affected children but also on the impact of the substantial medical and other needs of affected children on the rest of their immediate and extended families.

Autistic Disorder↗

PubMed2004

Bladder training for urinary incontinence in adults.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence is a common and distressing problem. Bladder training aims to increase the interval between voids and is widely used for the treatment of urinary incontinence. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of bladder training for the treatment of urinary incontinence. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group trials register (January 2003). The reference lists of relevant articles were searched, and trialists contacted for details of other trials. Date of the most recent search: January 2003. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised trials of bladder training for the treatment of any type of urinary incontinence. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers assessed trial quality and independently extracted data. Five primary outcomes were prespecified: participant's perception of cure of urinary incontinence; participant's perception of improvement of urinary incontinence; number of incontinent episodes; number of micturitions; and quality of life. Adverse events were also noted. Three hypotheses were tested: bladder training is better than no bladder training; bladder training is better than other treatments; and combining bladder training with another treatment is better than that other treatment alone. MAIN RESULTS: We assessed 73 reports of 36 potentially relevant trials; 28 reports of ten trials were eligible for inclusion with a total of 1366, predominantly female, participants. Not all participants' with overactive bladder, in five trials had urinary incontinence. Data from five trials with 467 participants, all female, are therefore included in the review. The quality of trials was variable. Few data describing long term follow up are available.Is bladder training better than no bladder training? Data were available for 149 women from two trials comparing bladder training with no bladder training. These described only a limited number of prespecified outcomes, which varied across the two trials. Point estimates of effect favoured bladder training however confidence intervals were wide and no statistically significant differences were found for primary outcome variables.Is bladder training better than other treatments? Only two trials including 125 women compared bladder training with drugs: one with oxybutynin and one with imipramine plus flavoxate. In the former trial the only outcomes demonstrating a statistically significant difference were participant's perception of cure at six months (RR 1.69; 95% CI 1.21 to 2.34) and adverse events (RR 0.03; 95% CI 0.00 to 0.44), both favouring bladder training. In the latter trial participant's perception of cure immediately after treatment just achieved statistical significance (RR 1.50; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.21) favouring bladder training, and this difference was maintained at approximately two months post treatment. One comparison of bladder training with pelvic floor muscle training plus biofeedback included 132 women: none of the differences in the primary outcomes achieved statistical significance.Is combining bladder training with another treatment better than that other treatment alone? One trial compared pelvic floor muscle training plus biofeedback supplemented with bladder training versus pelvic floor muscle training plus biofeedback alone and included 125 women. Of the primary outcomes both participants' perception of improvement and quality of life, both immediately after treatment, achieved statistical significance, favouring the bladder training combined with pelvic floor muscle training and biofeedback group (perception of improvement: RR 1.18; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.39; quality of life: MD -47.20; 95% CI -87.03 to -7.37), this was not sustained at three months. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The limited evidence available suggests that bladder training may be helpful for the treatment of urinary incontinence, but this conclusion can only be tentative as the trials were of variable quality and of small size with wide confidence intervals around the point estimates of effect. There was also not enough evidence to determine w evidence to determine whether bladder training was useful as a supplement to another therapy. Definitive research has yet to be conducted: more research is required.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Auditory integration training and other sound therapies for autism spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders encompassing Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Semantic-Pragmatic disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Auditory integration therapy (AIT) was developed as a technique for improving abnormal sound sensitivity in individuals with behavioural disorders including autism. Other sound therapies bearing similarities to AIT include the Tomatis Method and Samonas Sound Therapy. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of AIT or other methods of sound therapy in individuals with ASD. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2003), MEDLINE (1966 - February 2002), EMBASE (1980 - February 2002), CINAHL (1982 - December 2001), PsycINFO (1887 - February 2002), ERIC (1965 - December 2001) and LILACS (1982 - March 2002). Reference lists of articles identified electronically were searched for further relevant publications. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of adults or children with ASD. Treatment was auditory integration therapy (AIT) or other sound therapies involving listening to music modified by filtering and modulation. Control groups could be no treatment, waiting list, usual therapy or placebo equivalent. Outcomes sought were changes in core and associated features of ASD, auditory processing, quality of life and adverse events. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: All outcome data reported in included papers were continuous. Initial intention was to undertake meta-analyses using mean difference and standard deviation to take into account differences between treatment and control groups at baseline. These data were not available. Instead, point estimates and standard errors were calculated from t-test scores and post intervention means. Meta-analysis was attempted but deemed inappropriate at present. MAIN RESULTS: No trials assessing sound therapies other than AIT were found. Six RCTs of AIT, including one cross-over trial, were identified with a total of 171 individuals aged 3-39 years. Four trials had fewer than 20 participants. Allocation concealment was inadequate for all of the studies. Seventeen different outcome measures were used. Only two outcomes were used by three or more studies: Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC) (5) and Fisher's Auditory Problems Checklist (FAPC) (3). Meta-analysis was not possible due to very high heterogeneity (Aberrant Behaviour Checklist subscores), or presentation of data in unusable forms. Three studies (Bettison 1996, Zollweg 1997, Mudford 2000) did not demonstrate benefit of AIT over control conditions. The remaining trials (Veale 1993, Rimland 1995, Edelson 1999) reported improvements at 3 months for the AIT group based on improvements of total mean scores for the ABC, which is of questionable validity. Rimland 1995 also reported improvements at 3 months in the AIT group for ABC subgroup scores. No significant adverse effects of AIT were reported. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed to inform parents', carers' and practitioners' decision making about this therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Acoustic Stimulation↗