SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Autistic Disorder”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Development and current functioning in adolescents with Asperger syndrome: a comparative study.

Adolescents with Asperger syndrome (AS: without delay in speech development, diagnosed according to ICD-10 clinical criteria) were compared with a group with high-functioning autism (HFA: all with delayed speech development), and a group with conduct disorder (CD). Family and genetic studies suggest that Asperger syndrome and autism form part of the same spectrum, whereas the social impairments in conduct disorder are assumed to have different origins. The aims were to explore the relationships between early speech development and other aspects of functioning in autistic disorders, and to compare autistic and nonautistic social impairments. Early and current behaviour and IQ profiles were investigated. The CD group were clearly different from both the AS and HFA groups. The AS group tended to have less severe early behavioural abnormalities than the HFA group, and were unlikely to have speech abnormalities, but other communicative, social, and restricted/ stereotyped behavioural difficulties were largely of a similar pattern to the abnormalities in the HFA group. Eighty per cent of the AS group met criteria for autism on the diagnostic algorithm associated with the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. By adolescence, the AS group were reported to be as abnormal as the HFA group but in structured 1:1 interaction their conversation was better. IQ profile in the AS group showed relative strength on verbal measures, unlike the HFA group, but relatively good performance on the Block Design subtest of the WISC/WAIS was a feature of both the AS and HFA groups. The results indicate closely similar behavioural manifestations may arise by adolescence despite differences in speech development. Follow-up studies and further family investigations will be required to clarify the origins of these and other patterns of autistic development.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Pervasive developmental disorders in preschool children: confirmation of high prevalence.

OBJECTIVE: The rate of reported pervasive developmental disorders has increased, and the authors found a rate of 62.6 per 10,000 in a previous study of preschoolers in Stafford, U.K. They conducted another survey in 2002 to estimate the prevalence in children in a later birth cohort and to compare it to previous findings from the same area. METHOD: Screening for developmental problems included 10,903 children ages 4.0 to 6.0 years who were living in a Midlands town on the survey date. Children with symptoms suggestive of pervasive developmental disorders were intensively assessed by a multidisciplinary team using standardized diagnostic interviews, psychometric tests, and medical workups. RESULTS: Sixty-four children (85.9% boys) were diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorders. The prevalence was 58.7 per 10,000, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 45.2-74.9, for all pervasive developmental disorders, 22.0 per 10,000 (95% CI=14.1-32.7) for autistic disorder, and 36.7 per 10,000 (95% CI=26.2-49.9) for other variants. These rates were not significantly different from the previous rates. The mean age at diagnosis was 37.8 months, and 53.1% of the children were originally referred by health visitors. Of the 64 children with pervasive developmental disorders, 29.8% had mental retardation, but this rate varied by disorder subtype. Few children had associated medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of pervasive developmental disorders is higher than reported 15 years ago. The rate in this study is comparable to that in previous birth cohorts from the same area and surveyed with the same methods, suggesting a stable incidence.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2000

Secretin and autism: a two-part clinical investigation.

Recent anecdotal reports have touted the gastrointestinal (GI) hormone secretin as a treatment modality for autism, though there is little clinical evidence or literature to support its viability. We undertook a two-part clinical trial to investigate these claims. Fifty-six patients (49 boys, 7 girls, mean age = 6.4 years, SD = 2.7) enrolled in an open-label trial of secretin, during which they received one injection of the hormone (2 IU/kg). All subjects were evaluated by their parents at baseline and follow-up visits (3-6 weeks later, M = 3.7, SD = 1.4 weeks) with Childhood Autism Rating Scales (CARS). Thirty-four patients were labeled with Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, and 22 met diagnostic criteria for Autistic Disorder. Forty-five patients were concurrently on other drug treatments. At follow-up, some reported minimal but potentially significant improvements including changes in GI symptoms, expressive and/or receptive language function, and improved awareness and social interactions. No adverse effects were reported or observed. Subsequently, 17 of the most responsive patients from Study 1 began a double-blind trial that also included 8 newly enrolled patients. Patients in this second study were alternatively entered into one of two groups and received injections of secretin or placebo with crossover at 4 weeks. Patients from Study 1 entered into Study 2 at an average of 6.5 (SD = 0.8) weeks after beginning Study 1. Results of both inquiries indicate that although treatment with secretin was reported to cause transient changes in speech and behavior in some children, overall it produced few clinically meaningful changes when compared to children given placebo injections.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

What is known about autism: genes, brain, and behavior.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder of genetic origins, with a heritability of about 90%. Autistic disorder is classed within the broad domain of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) that also includes Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Asperger syndrome, and PDD not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Prevalence estimates suggest a rate of 0.1-0.2% for autism and 0.6% for the range of PDD disorders. There is considerable phenotypic heterogeneity within this class of disorders as well as continued debate regarding their clinical boundaries. Autism is the prototypical PDD, and is characterized by impairments in three core domains: social interaction, language development, and patterns of behavior (restricted and stereotyped). Clinical pattern and severity of impairment vary along these dimensions, and the level of cognitive functioning of individuals with autism spans the entire range, from profound mental retardation to superior intellect. There is no single biological or clinical marker for autism, nor is it expected that a single gene is responsible for its expression; as many as 15+ genes may be involved. However, environmental influences are also important, as concordance in monozygotic twins is less than 100% and the phenotypic expression of the disorder varies widely, even within monozygotic twins. Multiple susceptibility factors are being explored using varied methodologies, including genome-wide linkage studies, and family- and case-control candidate gene association studies. This paper reviews what is currently known about the genetic and environmental risk factors, neuropathology, and psychopharmacology of autism. Discussion of genetic factors focuses on the findings from linkage and association studies, the results of which have implicated the involvement of nearly every chromosome in the human genome. However, the most consistently replicated linkage findings have been on chromosome 7q, 2q, and 15q. The positive associations from candidate gene studies are largely unreplicated, with the possible exceptions of the GABRB3 and serotonin transporter genes. No single region of the brain or pathophysiological mechanism has yet been identified as being associated with autism. Postmortem findings, animal models, and neuroimaging studies have focused on the cerebellum, frontal cortex, hippocampus, and especially the amygdala. The cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuit may also be influential in autism. There is evidence that overall brain size is increased in some individuals with autism. Presently there are no drugs that produce major improvements in the core social or pragmatic language deficits in autism, although several have limited effects on associated behavioral features. The application of new techniques in autism research is being proposed, including the investigation of abnormal regulation of gene expression, proteomics, and the use of MRI and postmortem analysis of the brain.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Sleep disturbances and correlates of children with autism spectrum disorders.

This study examined sleep patterns, sleep problems, and their correlates in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Subjects consisted of 167 ASD children, including 108 with autistic disorder, 27 with Asperger's syndrome, and 32 with other diagnoses of ASD. Mean age was 8.8 years (SD = 4.2), 86% were boys. Parents completed a self-administered child sleep questionnaire. Results showed that average night sleep duration was 8.9 h (SD = 1.8), 16% of children shared a bed with parent. About 86% of children had at least one sleep problem almost every day, including 54% with bedtime resistance, 56% with insomnia, 53% with parasomnias, 25% with sleep disordered breathing, 45% with morning rise problems, and 31% with daytime sleepiness. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that younger age, hypersensitivity, co-sleeping, epilepsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), asthma, bedtime ritual, medication use, and family history of sleep problems were related to sleep problems. Comorbid epilepsy, insomnia, and parasomnias were associated with increased risk for daytime sleepiness. Results suggest that both dyssomnias and parasomnias are very prevalent in children with ASD. Although multiple child and family factors are associated with sleep problems, other comorbid disorders of autism may play a major role.

Asperger Syndrome↗

PubMed2005

Executive functions in autism and Asperger's disorder: flexibility, fluency, and inhibition.

The Color-Word Interference Test, Trail Making Test, Verbal Fluency Test, and Design Fluency Test from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (Delis, Kaplan, & Kramer, 2001) were administered to 12 high-functioning adults and adolescents with autistic disorder or Asperger's disorder. Each test included a switching condition in addition to baseline and/or other executive-function conditions. Participants performed significantly below average on a composite measure of executive functioning adjusted for baseline cognitive ability. Complex verbal tasks that required cognitive switching and initiation of efficient lexical retrieval strategies produced the most consistent deficits, whereas cognitive inhibition was intact. We discuss implications of these findings for understanding the neurocognitive substrates of autistic spectrum disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2007

[Frankfurt group social communication and interaction skills training for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders].

OBJECTIVE: Despite the recognition of the need for group-based training programmes for children and adolescents with autistic disorders, there are only very few specific German-speaking training programmes available. Since 2003, a structured group training programme on social skills for children and adolescents with high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome has been developed and conducted at our department. The training programme focuses on the main deficits of those disorders. Thus, the primary goal is to improve communication and interaction skills. METHOD: Participants are children and adolescents without significant cognitive and language delays. Principles of intervention include structured formats, combination of theoretical and practical elements, predictable rules, consideration of individual difficulties, and sequential and progressive learning. Techniques range from structured games, the training of affect recognition, group activities, role play, team discussions, and feedback to homework using a newly designed manual on our group-based social skill training programme and curriculum. Generally, three groups of 5-7 participants each and of different age range (children, adolescents) meet weekly/biweekly for 1-1.5 hours (excluding the holidays). Two trainers--who change during the programme--carry out each of the sessions. Trainers meet regularly with the parents to discuss experiences and to provide details of the programme. RESULTS: Acceptance by and satisfaction with the programme are high among participants, as is the mutual recognition of and tolerance of their respective problems. Both feedback from parents and trainers' clinical impressions indicate distinct improvement of verbalization and contact abilities. Participants seem to benefit particularly from role play. CONCLUSIONS: Qualtitative measures (impressions of the participants, their parents and their trainers with regard to change in behaviour skills) suggest mounting interaction, communication, and problem-solving skills during the group treatment. An ongoing pilot evaluation also includes measurements of effects in everyday settings. Depending on the results, the training subsequently could be conducted and evaluated in groups with both pervasive developmental, as well as other psychiatric disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Can zebrafish be used as a model to study the neurodevelopmental causes of autism?

The zebrafish has proven to be an excellent model for analyzing issues of vertebrate development. In this review we ask whether the zebrafish is a viable model for analyzing the neurodevelopmental causes of autism. In developing an answer to this question three topics are considered. First, the general attributes of zebrafish as a model are discussed, including low cost maintenance, rapid life cycle and the multitude of techniques available. These techniques include large-scale genetic screens, targeted loss and gain of function methods, and embryological assays. Second, we consider the conservation of zebrafish and mammalian brain development, structure and function. Third, we discuss the impressive use of zebrafish as a model for human disease, and suggest several strategies by which zebrafish could be used to dissect the genetic basis for autism. We conclude that the zebrafish system could be used to make important contributions to understanding autistic disorders.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Autism in children. Speech, behavior and motor activity point to diagnosis].

Austistic disorders characteristically involve specific impairments of social skills, of the language and of stereotyped body movements. L Kanner and H. Asperger were the first to describe these psychopathologic features, which still form the core of the diagnostic criteria of contemporary psychiatric classification systems, ICD-10 and DSM-IV, in the category pervasive developmental disorders. Useful diagnostic tools have been developed to establish the clinical diagnosis. The results of research point to a predominantly genetic pathogenesis involving a complex interaction of multiple genes. While no causal treatments are available for these heterogenic disorders, there are many therapeutic concepts. Although some treatments may achieve significant improvements, autistic disorders usually mean a lifelong individual impairment.

Autistic Disorder↗

PubMed1989

The borderland of autism and Rett syndrome: five case histories to highlight diagnostic difficulties.

Four girls and one boy with pervasive developmental disorders are described. They all met DSM-III-R criteria for autistic disorder and all also showed many if not all the symptoms currently considered essential for a diagnosis of Rett syndrome. It is concluded that there is considerable overlap between the two disorders and that the symptomatic similarities might mirror common pathophysiological abnormalities at the brainstem level.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

DSM-III and DSM-III-R diagnosis of autism and pervasive developmental disorder in nursery school children.

DSM-III and DSM-III-R diagnoses of 112 developmentally disordered preschool children were compared. There was no significant difference between the DSM-III and DSM-III-R diagnosis of the inclusive category of pervasive developmental disorder, but nearly twice as many cases (58) were diagnosed as autistic disorder by DSM-III-R criteria as were diagnosed as infantile autism (31) by DSM-III. Thirty children met both DSM-III and DSM-III-R criteria for autism (IA/AD) and 23 received a DSM-III diagnosis of atypical PDD (A-PDD) and a DSM-III-R diagnosis of AD (A-PDD/AD). All of the IA/AD children and none of the A-PDD/AD group displayed a marked lack of awareness of others. DSM-III-R criteria have specifically broadened the concept of autism to include children who, although socially impaired, are not pervasively unresponsive to others.

Autistic Disorder↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Natural history of infantile autism (nosography)].

Natural history of infantile autism goes from its first description to current classifications. Most authors agree upon the perfect character of Kanner's description in 1943. But its situation in the nosography has much developed. The parution of 4th edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM IV) bring us to analyse this evolution and the place of autistic disorders in the pervasive developmental disorders, with this of associated pathologies. The comparison of current classifications (DSM IV, ICD 10, CFTMEA) allows us to do correspondence between each diagnostic category in psychosis or developmental disorders of these classifications. It exists a real concordance between DSM IV and ICD 10. The french classification of child and adolescent mental disorders (CFTMEA) proposes original categories.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Autism -- experiences in a tertiary care hospital.

UNLABELLED: Pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) or Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) include Autistic Disorder (commonest), Asperger's syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorders, Rett's syndrome and PDD-NOS (not otherwise specified). OBJECTIVE: Autism is an important cause of social disability and reported more often from the developed world than from the developing countries. The present study was aimed to establish the diagnosis of autism amongst children with derangements of language, communication and behavior; ascertain and treat the co-morbidities; identify underlying cause and create a sensitivity and awareness among various health care professionals. METHODS: Sixty-two of the seventy-five referred patients fulfilled the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder) criteria for autism. Evaluation included a detailed history, clinical examination, IQ assessment, Connor's scoring for hyperactivity and Fragile-X screening. Management of co-morbidities was done. A follow up of these patients was done. Parents' assessment of the child was also done. A registry for autistic children was established at the Department of Pediatrics with other major institutions of Delhi. RESULTS: The male:female ratio was 8:1 and missed diagnosis was common. Professional awareness is merited. Behavioral modification by early intervention and stimulation improved the core symptoms of autism. Important co-morbidities included mental retardation (95%), hyperactivity (53%) and seizures (10%) cases. Control of co-morbidities in these children facilitated child's periodic assessment and implementation of intervention programmes. In the registry initiated 62 patients were enrolled at AIIMS and 6 were identified from other hospitals. CONCLUSION: Autism does occur in Indian children too. Diagnosis is often missed. Capacity building among health professionals by a more structured teaching of developmental disabilities in the medical curriculum is required. The need to attend to co-morbidities and associated symptoms was clear. The initiation of the registry and beginning of networking was important.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗

PubMed1991

Hypomelanosis of Ito in three cases with autism and autistic-like conditions.

Two girls and a boy showing autistic behaviour and fulfilling the criteria for autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome or atypical autism were diagnosed as having hypomelanosis of Ito syndrome. It is suggested that skin changes indicating underlying neurocutaneous disorders be meticulously looked for in all cases with autism and autistic-like conditions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Child and adolescent psychiatric presentations of second-generation Afro-Caribbeans in Britain.

BACKGROUND: A clinical sample was used to investigate whether second-generation Afro-Caribbean children differed from other British-born children in their psychiatric presentation or vulnerability to risk factors. METHOD: Second-generation Afro-Caribbean patients (n = 292) were compared with a predominantly white group of patients (n = 1311) who lived in the same inner-city area and attended the same child psychiatric clinic between 1973 and 1989. Data on psychiatric presentation and background factors were systematically recorded at the time of the initial clinical assessment. RESULTS: Afro-Caribbean patients were exposed to more socio-economic disadvantage but less family dysfunction. The ratio of emotional to conduct disorders was lower among Afro-Caribbean than among the comparison patients--an effect that was not evidently due to demographic factors or diagnostic bias. Most risk factors for emotional or conduct disorders had comparable effects on Afro-Caribbean and comparison patients. Psychotic and autistic disorders were disproportionately common among the Afro-Caribbean patients. CONCLUSIONS: Second-generation Afro-Caribbean children differ somewhat from other British-born children in their psychiatric presentation--a difference that has persisted over the 1970s and 1980s and that deserves more investigation than it has received to date.

Acculturation↗

PubMed2005

Intergenerational transmission of subthreshold autistic traits in the general population.

BACKGROUND: Autistic disorder (AD) is a disabling oligogenic condition characterized by severe social impairment. Subthreshold autistic social impairments are known to aggregate in the family members of autistic probands; therefore, we conducted this study to examine the intergenerational transmission of such traits in the general population. METHODS: The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), a quantitative measure of autistic traits, was completed on 285 pairs of twins (by maternal report) and on their parents (by spouse report). RESULTS: Correlation for social impairment or competence between parents and their children and between spouses was on the order of .4. In families in which both parents scored in the upper quartile for social impairment on the SRS, mean SRS score of offspring was significantly elevated (effect size 1.5). Estimated assortative mating explained approximately 30% of the variation in parent SRS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Children from families in which both parents manifest subthreshold autistic traits exhibit a substantial shift in the distribution of their scores for impairment in reciprocal social behavior, toward the pathological end. As has been previously demonstrated in children, heritable subthreshold autistic impairments are measurable in adults and appear continuously distributed in the general population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

[Clinical guide scale for the developmental stages of treated autism].

An evolutionary diagram that takes into account the development of personality and its structuring or restructuring was developed thanks to a better understanding of autistic disorders from a psychodynamic point of view through long term psychoanalytic treatment of autistic children. This grid is organised around the major stages of the formation of the bodily ego which autistic children helped us understand better. The construction of space and the capacities of cognitive instrumentation are logically within this line of structuring. These major stages are defined: the first is the "successful" autistic state; the second is the stage where the primary skin is recovered (feeling of a circular envelope); the third is the symbiotic phase which includes vertical splitting then horizontal splitting of the image of the body; finally, the fourth is the phase of individuation/separation into a whole body. At each stage the following are assessed: state of the image of the body, of the gaze, of language, of writing, the autistic symptoms, emotional-relational manifestations, exploration of space and objects, recognition in time, the aggressive behaviours, reactivity to pain and to immune states (somatic and psychosomatic manifestations).

Autistic Disorder↗

PubMed1998

Role of cytokines in psychopathology: therapeutic implications.

Cytokines can influence physiological functions such as sleep and food intake; they also interact with a number of neurotransmitters and second messengers in the brain. Cytokines are involved in a number of infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic, metabolic and degenerative illnesses. They also have been implicated in some psychiatric disorders, including 1) depressive and anxiety disorders; 2) schizophrenic disorders (chronic and acute); 3) autistic disorder; 4) eating disorders; and 5) obsessive-compulsive disorder. Alterations in cytokine peptide/receptor production or function in major psychiatric disorders are of special interest to researchers in the field. Exogenous administration of cytokines may be of therapeutic value in disorders in which the cytokine system may be disturbed. In some brain disorders of defined neuropathology, some cytokines have been found clinically useful. Such a development has yet to occur in the treatment of psychiatric disorders; however, some limited and very preliminary observations suggest that manipulation of the cytokine network may be of potential value in the treatment of some psychiatric disorders. Considering the human and economic costs of major psychiatric disorders, alteration of the cytokine network as a potential therapeutic tool is worthy of consideration and investigation.

Journal Article↗