Autism

Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. The autism spectrum disorders (ASD) also include the related conditions Asperger syndrome and PDD-NOS, which have fewer signs and symptoms. Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Controversies surround other proposed environmental causes, such as heavy metals, pesticides or childhood vaccines; the vaccine hypotheses are biologically implausible and lack any convincing scientific evidence. The prevalence of ASD is about 6 per 1,000 people, with about four times as many males as females. The number of people known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved. Autism affects many parts of the brain; how this occurs is not understood. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. Although early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and communication skills, there is no known cure. Not many children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, though some become successful, and an autistic culture has developed, with some seeking a cure and others believing autism should be tolerated as a difference and not treated as a disorder.

Neural and Phenotypic Correlates of Autism Risk Genes

Project summary

This grant aims to examine the effects of 5 replicated autism risk genes on brain structure and function, using functional and structural MRI. The goal is to try to understand the neural basis of behavioral variations in autism by drawing connections from genes to brain to behavior. We will examine 5 autism risk genes and one known genetic syndrome, 22q11deltion, where there are high rates of autism, and identify brain regions and systems associated with these genes, relating them to variations in the autism phenotype.

Determinants of Social, Communicative, and Other Core Deficits in Autism

Project summary

The goal of this Center is determining the bases, consequences, and mutability of social communication deficits in autism.

Genes' Role in Autism a Complicated Connection

Media Article Link: 
http://www.latimes.com/news/health/la-he-autism-genes-20100621,0,1156642.story

The Los Angeles Times reported June 21 on an international study uncovering dozens of new gene variants linked to autism. Study coauthors Dr. Stanley Nelson and Rita Cantor, both professors of human genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine and professors of psychiatry at the Semel Institute, were quoted. Nature published the findings in its June 9 online edition.

Big Study Identifies New Genes that May Be Involved in Autism

Media Article Link: 
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/06/autism-genes-study.html

The world’s largest DNA scan for familial autism, which linked susceptibility for the disorder to rare genetic variants found 20 percent more often in the DNA of autistic children, was covered June 15 by KPCC 89.3 FM’s “Patt Morrison Show,” June 14 by the Los Angeles Times’ health blog and June 10 by the Voice of America. Dr. Stan Nelson, professor of human genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine and professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute, was interviewed by KPCC and VOA. He was one of three UCLA researchers that were part of the international team conducting the study. Published June 9 by Nature, the findings were also covered June 10 by El Mundo (Spain) and June 13 by the Sydney Morning Herald (Australia).

DNA scan for familial autism finds variants that disrupt gene activity in autistic kids

The world's largest DNA scan for familial autism has uncovered new genetic changes in autistic children that are often not present in their parents. Identified in less than 1 percent of the population, these rare variants occur nearly 20 percent more in autistic children. Published in the June 9 online edition of the journal Nature, the findings emphasize the need for larger study samples to illuminate the diverse genetic causes of the brain disorder.

New Study Shines Light on Autism's Possible Genetic Cause

Media Article Link: 
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Autism/autisms-genetic-light-study/story?id=1086759...

ABC News.com, TIME, USA Today and U.S. News & World Report’s parenting blog, and the news wires Reuters, Agence France Press, Canadian West and the Canadian Press reported June 9 and Scientific American, the Sydney Morning Herald, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News and KABC-Channel 7 reported June 10 on the world’s largest DNA scan, which linked autism to missing and duplicated genes that arise in the DNA of affected children but are not present in their parents. UCLA researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine and the Semel Institute included Rita Cantor, professor of human genetics; Dr. Stan Nelson, professor of human genetics and psychiatry; and Dr.

Outcome of Autism in Adulthood

Psychiatry Grand Rounds

 

The Dennis Cantwell, MD Memorial Lecture

 

Our lecturer will be:

William McMahon, MD

Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Psychology and Educational Psychology

Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry University of Utah

 

NEW--Podcast Preview available on the website, www.psychiatrygrandrounds.com

 

Coffee will be served in the auditorium foyer beginning at 10:45 AM. As always, free continuing educational credits are available for Grand Rounds; please be sure that you have filled out the forms to receive credit for your attendance.

 

Event detail
8 Jun 2010 - 11:00 - 12:30

Mirror Neurons Seen Behaving Normally in Autism

Media Article Link: 
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18837-mirror-neurons-seen-behaving-normall...

Articles published May 12 in New Scientist and Science Now and May 13 in the Pittsburg Post-Gazette about a new autism study cited research by Marco Iacoboni, UCLA professor-in-residence of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, exploring the connection between autism and mirror neurons, cells in the human brain believed to underlie the ability to discern others' thoughts and empathize with them.