FEAT DAILY NEWSLETTER
Sacramento, California http://www.feat.org
November 15, 2001
News Morgue Search www.feat.org/search/news.asp
·
Theory of Mind, Causal Attribution & Paranoia in
Asperger’s
·
Gene Data From The Autism Candidate Region at 7q31
·
Engineer Dads Over-Represented Among Fathers of
Autistic Kids
·
Treatment of Sleep Problems In A 5-Year-Old Boy With
Autism
·
On Scottish Teachers on Inclusion of ASD Kids in Their
Classroom
·
Teacher – Autistic Student Communications Studied
·
Executive Function Deficits In Non-Retarded Autistic
Children
·
The Validity of False Belief Tests with Autistic
Children
·
Research In Brief: What Do Medical Students Know About
Autism?
·
Verbal Humour In A Woman With High-Functioning Autism
·
Glutamate Neurotransmitter System Abnormalities In
Autism
Theory of Mind, Causal Attribution & Paranoia in
Asperger’s http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=11706863&dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here. 1: Autism 2001 Jun;5(2):147-63 Blackshaw AJ,
Kinderman P, Hare DJ, Hatton C. University of Manchester, UK.
Theory of mind (ToM) deficits are central to autistic
spectrum disorders, including Asperger syndrome. Research in psychotic
disorders has developed a cognitive model of paranoid delusions involving
abnormal causal attributions for negative events. Possible aetiologies of these
include deficits in social reasoning, specifically ToM. The present study investigated
this attributional model of paranoia in Asperger syndrome.
Participants diagnosed with Asperger syndrome scored
significantly higher on a measure of paranoia and lower on a measure of ToM,
compared with the control group. They did not differ in self-concept and causal
attributions, contrary to the attributional model of paranoia. A regression analysis
highlighted private self-consciousness as the only predictor of paranoia.
The theoretical and clinical implications of these
findings are discussed.
PMID: 11706863 [PubMed - in process]
* * *
Identification of the human cortactin-binding protein-2
gene from the autism candidate region at 7q31.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=11707066&dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here. 1: Genomics 2001 Nov;78(1/2):7-11 Cheung J, Petek E, Nakabayashi K, Tsui LC,
Vincent JB, Scherer SW. Department of
Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto,
Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada.
Human chromosome 7q31 contains putative susceptibility
loci for autism (AUTS1) and speech and language disorder (SPCH1). We report
here the identification and characterization of a novel gene encoding cortactin-binding
protein-2 (CORTBP2), which is located 45 kb telomeric to the cystic fibrosis
transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR) at 7q31.3. The full-length
(5975-bp) gene was isolated and found to be composed of 23 exons encompassing
170 kb of DNA.
In addition to being a positional candidate for AUTS1,
CORTBP2 was expressed at highest levels in the brain, as shown by northern blot
analysis. Subsequent mutation analysis of CORTBP2 in 90 autistic patients identified
two polymorphisms, including a leucine to valine change caused by a T to G
substitution in exon 15.
However, comparison of allele frequencies between autistic
and control populations (n=96) showed no significant difference, suggesting
that this variant is not a susceptibility factor for autism.
PMID: 11707066 [PubMed - in process]
* * *
Engineer Dads Over-Represented Among Fathers of Autistic
Kids The link between autism and skills such as engineering, maths, physics and
computing: a reply to Jarrold and Routh.
[Refrigerator Moms make room for Calculator Dads as links
to child’s autism. –LS] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=11706868&dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here. 1: Autism 2001 Jun;5(2):223-7 Wheelwright S, Baron-Cohen S. Autism
Research Centre, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of
Cambridge, UK.
In the first edition of this journal, we published a paper
reporting that fathers and grandfathers of children with autism were
over-represented in the field of engineering. This result was interpreted as
providing supporting evidence for the folk-psychology/folk-physics theory of
autism.
After carrying out further analyses on the same data,
Jarrold and Routh found that fathers of children with autism were also
over-represented in accountancy and science. They suggested that these results
could either provide additional support for the folk-psychology/folk-physics
theory or be accounted for by an over-representation of professionals amongst
the fathers of children with autism. Here we present evidence that engineers
are still over-represented among fathers of children with autism, even taking
into account the professional bias.
PMID: 11706868 [PubMed - in process]
* * *
Treatment of Sleep Problems In A 5-Year-Old Boy With
Autism Using
Behavioural Principles
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=11706867&dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here. 1: Autism 2001 Jun;5(2):209-21. Weiskop S, Matthews J, Richdale A. RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria,
Australia.
This article presents a case study which is part of a
larger project on sleep problems in children with autism. The successful
treatment of sleep problems (night settling, night waking, and co-sleeping) in
a boy of 5 years 4 months with autism is described. The intervention was based
on behavioural principles and involved the parents attending an
individually-run parent training programme. The programme consisted of an
interview, three weekly training sessions and a review session.
The parents learned how to use a bedtime routine,
reinforcement, effective instructions, partner support strategies and
extinction procedures. Once the techniques were implemented, the child learned
how to settle himself to bed and how to sleep alone for the entire night. For
this child, the results of the sleep programme were clinically significant as measured
by a scale of goal achievement, and were maintained at a 3 month and a 12 month
follow-up.
PMID: 11706867 [PubMed - in process]
* * *
On Scottish Teachers on Inclusion of ASD Kids in Their
Classroom. The attitudes of teachers in
Scotland to the integration of children with autism into mainstream schools. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=11706866&dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here. 1: Autism 2001 Jun;5(2):189-207 McGregor E,
Campbell E. University of Dundee.
Around 4600 school-age children in Scotland fall within
the spectrum of autistic disorders, of whom 780 have been identified in
schools. This study sought the views of 23 specialist and 49 mainstream
teachers, 22 with experience of autism, 27 without. They were questioned about
the advantages and disadvantages of integration into mainstream for autistic
children, their own ability to cope and predictors of success. Questionnaires
were issued to special units and to mainstream primary and secondary schools.
A minority of mainstream respondents believed children
with autism should be integrated where possible. Mainstream teachers with
experience of autism showed more confidence to deal with the children than
those without experience.
Many expressed concerns about effects on mainstream pupils
but most were willing to undertake more training. Specialist teachers were more
positive, although they acknowledged possible disadvantages for both groups of
children and stressed that the success of integration depends on the individual
child.
PMID: 11706866 [PubMed - in process]
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* * *
Interaction patterns between children and their teachers
when using a specific multimedia and communication strategy: observations from
children with autism and mixed intellectual disabilities. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=11706865&dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here. 1: Autism 2001 Jun;5(2):175-87 Tjus T, Heimann M, Nelson KE. Department of Psychology,
Goteborg University, Sweden. Tomas.Tjus@psy.gu.se.
This study reports on observed interaction patterns
between 20 children with autism and mixed intellectual disabilities (mean
chronological age = 11:4 years; language age = 4:7 years) and their nine
teachers working with a specially developed multimedia program aiming to
increase literacy skills.
An increase in verbal expression was found over time for
the total group.
Children with autism also showed increased enjoyment and
willingness to seek help from their teachers. Teachers for both diagnostic
groups reduced their instructions on how to handle the computer during the
program but the decrease was greater in the teachers for children with autism.
When the total group of children was subdivided according to language age (high
versus low), it appears that those with a low language age showed an increase
in verbal expressiveness from start to end of training. Those with a high
language age showed increased enjoyment.
It is concluded that more detailed studies of the
interaction patterns between teachers and children are needed, and these should
be related to children’s language level as well as to diagnostic group.
PMID: 11706865 [PubMed - in process]
* * *
Executive Function Deficits In Non-Retarded Autistic
Children. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=11706864&dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here. 1: Autism 2001 Jun;5(2):165-74 Shu BC, Lung
FW, Tien AY, Chen BC. School of Nursing,
College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
The purpose of this study was to examine differences
between Taiwanese children with autism and their typically developing peers on
the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Twenty-six children with autism of
normal IQ were included, and matched for chronological age with 52 controls.
The WCST scores of the typically developing children were significantly
higher for categories completed and percent conceptual level than in the autism
group. Scores on perseverative responses, perseverative errors, the number of
trials to complete the first category and non-perseverative errors were
significantly higher in the autism group. The implications of these findings
are discussed.
PMID: 11706864 [PubMed - in process]
* * *
The Validity of False Belief Tests with Autistic Children Using
tests of false belief with children with autism: how valid and reliable are they?http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&li
st_uids=11706862&dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here. Grant CM, Grayson A, Boucher J. University
of Sheffield, UK.
Twenty-two children with autism were given four tests of
false belief understanding: the Sally-Anne task, two variants of the deceptive
box task, and the three boxes task. The overall consistency of the children’s performance
was high, 77 percent of the participants either passing or failing all of the
tasks. The convergent validity (across-task consistency) of the deceptive box
and the three boxes paradigms was high, and the convergent validity of the
three boxes and Sally-Anne tasks was also acceptable.
However, a weaker level of convergent validity was found
for the deceptive box and Sally-Anne tasks, suggesting that these paradigms
test slightly different aspects of cognition.
The reliability (within-child consistency) of the children’s
performances across two versions of the deceptive box task was high. These findings
are discussed in terms of their practical implications for practitioners and
researchers.
PMID: 11706862 [PubMed - in process]
* * *
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=11706861&dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here. 1: Autism 2001 Jun;5(2):127-33. Shah K.
Psychology Department, St George’s Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Although recent research indicates the importance of early
recognition and intervention for children with autism, it is clear that many
families remain very dissatisfied with the diagnostic process. In order to
improve this situation, it is essential that primary care practitioners, such
as GPs, are fully aware of the core symptoms of autism.
The present study reports on autism awareness amongst 250
medical students at different stages of their training. Differences between first-year
and fourth-year students were compared with respect to their knowledge of
various aspects of autism, including diagnosis, cause, symptomatology,
treatment and outcome.
Fourth-year students were significantly more likely to
respond correctly to questions related to diagnostic criteria and core
symptoms. However no significant
differences were found between first-year and fourth-year students for other
aspects, such as possible causes, IQ profiles, prognosis and treatment.
These findings suggest that more emphasis needs to be
placed on teaching medical students about autism if diagnosis and access to intervention
are to be improved.
PMID: 11706861 [PubMed - in process]
* * *
Verbal Humour In A Woman With High-Functioning Autism ‘Here’s
the weavery looming up’: verbal humour in a woman with high-functioning autism.
[Pommies are not to be outdone by Yank’s Jerry Newport, it
appears. Although some American parlor
diagnosticians insist that the US is full of undiagnosed Asperger’s comedian
politicians. –LS] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=11706860&dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here. 1: Autism 2001 Jun;5(2):111-25.Werth A,
Perkins M, Boucher J. Community Health South London NHS Trust, UK.
A case study of Grace, a 29-year-old woman with
high-functioning autism, is presented. Grace is unusual for a person with
autism in that she produces a great deal of humorous and creative word play.
She is also unusual in that she writes and then audio-records ‘letters’ to her
family, and produces copious cartoon-like drawings which she annotates, with
the result that multiple examples of her humour are available in permanent
form.
We present examples of Grace’s use of puns, jokes,
neologisms, ‘portmanteau’ words, irreverent humour, irony, sarcasm and word
play based on her obsessional interests. The examples are used to illustrate
the forms and content of Grace’s humour, and are discussed in relation to
current theories of autism and of normal humour.
PMID: 11706860 [PubMed - in process]
* * *
Glutamate Neurotransmitter System Abnormalities In Autism
Postmortem brain abnormalities of the glutamate
neurotransmitter system in
autism
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=11706102&dopt=Abstract <-- address ends here. Purcell AE, Jeon OH, Zimmerman AW, Blue ME,
Pevsner J. Departments of Neurology (Drs. Jeon, Zimmerman, and Pevsner and A.E.
Purcell) and Neuroscience (Dr. Blue), Kennedy Krieger Institute, and the
Departments of Neuroscience (Drs. Jeon, Blue, and Pevsner and A.E. Purcell) and
Neurology (Dr. Blue), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore,
MD.
BACKGROUND: Studies examining the brains of individuals
with autism have identified anatomic and pathologic changes in regions such as
the cerebellum and hippocampus. Little, if anything, is known, however, about the
molecules that are involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder.
OBJECTIVE: To identify genes with abnormal expression
levels in the cerebella of subjects with autism.
METHOD: Brain samples from a total of 10 individuals with
autism and 23 matched controls were collected, mainly from the cerebellum. Two
cDNA microarray technologies were used to identify genes that were
significantly up- or downregulated in autism. The abnormal mRNA or protein
levels of several genes identified by microarray analysis were investigated
using PCR with reverse transcription and Western blotting alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazoleproprionic
acid (AMPA)- and NMDA-type glutamate receptor densities were examined with
receptor autoradiography in the cerebellum, caudate-putamen, and prefrontal
cortex.
RESULTS: The mRNA levels of several genes were
significantly increased in autism, including excitatory amino acid transporter
1 and glutamate receptor AMPA 1, two members of the glutamate system.
Abnormalities in the protein or mRNA levels of several additional molecules in
the glutamate system were identified on further analysis, including glutamate
receptor binding proteins. AMPA-type glutamate receptor density was decreased
in the cerebellum of individuals with autism (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with autism may have specific
abnormalities in the AMPA-type glutamate receptors and glutamate transporters
in the cerebellum. These abnormalities may be directly involved in the
pathogenesis of the disorder.
PMID: 11706102 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] .
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