BackgroundSpine pinching is a promising alternative for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet its effects on multi-region molecular coordination remain unclear. This study examined the effects of spine pinching on cellular Fos proto-oncoprotein (c-Fos) and Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) expression in the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and amygdala, and further analyzed expression patterns across these regions using profile analysis to explore the coordinated multi-region regulation underlying improvements in social and empathic deficits.MethodsAn ASD rat model was established by valproic acid (VPA) induction. After behavioral testing, rats were divided into the model group (MG), spine pinching group (SPG), and blank control group (BC). SPG received a 15-day intervention from postnatal day 22. Then, open field, three-chamber social, and fear empathy tests were performed; brain tissues were collected for immunohistochemistry and western blotting, and profile analysis was conducted.ResultsVPA-induced ASD rats showed developmental and ASD-like behavioral deficits. MG rats exhibited social and empathy deficits and reduced c-Fos and OXTR levels in the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and amygdala versus BC. Spine pinching improved these ASD-like behavioral deficits. Immunohistochemistry revealed that c-Fos and OXTR expression increased significantly in all three brain regions after spine pinching. Western blot analysis further supported these findings, showing significant upregulation in most brain regions and consistent upward trends in the remaining regions. Profile analysis revealed parallel expression profiles across regions, suggesting coordinated multi-region regulation.ConclusionSpine pinching effectively improves core ASD-like behavioral deficits in ASD rats, potentially through coordinated regulation of the multi-regional social-emotional network.
Why MAHA wants to make health data much more accessible
WASHINGTON — The Make America Healthy Again movement wants your health data.
The MAHA Institute, a think tank formed by allies of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after his appointment as health secretary, held an event on Monday that emphasized the benefits of opening up health data sharing in the United States. In particular, the event highlighted how sharing patients’ health records with federal researchers could benefit the study of the origins of chronic diseases.
Methodology of Super-Early Training of Developer Engineers and Leading Analysts With a Diagnosis of ADHD/ASD for Ensuring the Engineering Sovereignty of the State: Time Horizon: 2026-2038-2050
Conditions: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Interventions: Device: Voice of Sleep “MamaBee” training modules (Fairy Tales)
Sponsors: Pisareva Citadel Group LLC
Active, not recruiting
Interventions: Device: Voice of Sleep “MamaBee” training modules (Fairy Tales)
Sponsors: Pisareva Citadel Group LLC
Active, not recruiting
Biological hierarchy from genotype to phenotype in syndromic and non-syndromic autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition whose pathophysiology is thought to arise from complex interactions among genetic variation, molecular and cellular perturbations, and neural circuit dysfunction. Although the distinction between syndromic and non-syndromic ASD was introduced as a pragmatic clinical classification, these clinically defined subgroups may exhibit overlapping yet distinct patterns of genetic liability and molecular dysregulation while also exhibiting mechanistic convergence. This narrative review examines the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic development, structure, and function, with particular emphasis on the roles of chromatin remodeling and epigenetic regulation in neurodevelopment. It further considers how molecular and cellular alterations may contribute to impaired functional integration at the neural circuit level. By comparing the shared and unique genes and pathways associated with syndromic and non-syndromic ASD, the review identifies potential points of mechanistic convergence across multiple levels of biological organization. To integrate these findings, the review proposes a three-layer hierarchical framework that links gene function (Layer 1), core biological pathways (Layer 2), and clinical phenotypes (Layer 3). By mapping ASD-associated genes onto a functional continuum ranging from local synaptic effectors to global regulators of chromatin and gene expression, this framework illustrates how subtype-enriched genetic factors may give rise to both shared and unique molecular, cellular, and circuit-level alterations. The proposed framework may help identify common and subtype-enriched biological mechanisms, inform biomarker discovery, and provide a conceptual basis for mechanism-informed ASD research and biologically grounded clinical stratification.
Maternal emotional distress, caregiving burden, and service access among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: a qualitative study
IntroductionMothers raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience substantial emotional distress and caregiving burden, whilst family support andaccess to services can shape how these demands are managed. Yet in-depthqualitative evidence on these public mental health dimensions remains limited inSaudi Arabia. This study explored mothers’ experiences of raising a child diagnosedwith ASD.MethodsUsing a qualitative descriptive design informed by a contextualistposition, the study recruited ten mothers through a specialist autism centre inMadinah and the surrounding community. Trained female researchers, all registered nurses, conducted semi-structured interviews in Arabic, each lastingapproximately 60 to 90 minutes. Recordings were transcribed verbatim inArabic; a professional translator produced English transcripts, which a secondbilingual researcher checked before reflexive thematic analysis.Results and discussionSeven interrelated themes captured the mothers’ accounts: diagnosis as an emotional rupture; disruption of daily life by behavioural challenges; learning to understand the child across communication barriers; the cumulative toll of continuous care; adaptation through acceptance, patience, and faith; family support as a buffer or added burden; and compensating for uneven service experiences. Mothersdescribed substantial emotional and caregiving demands, but their experiences varied according to family support and access to services. One account of comprehensive state support provided an important counter-case to the morecommon experience of costly or fragmented provision. The findings position maternal emotional distress and caregiving burden as public mental health concerns shaped by family, social, and service contexts. They support a public mental health response that links maternal mental health promotion with accessible, coordinated, and family-centred care.
STAT+: The head of Kennedy’s new autism project served in Iraq War, worked with Sesame Street
If you want to understand the federal government’s new initiative to improve autism care and diagnosis, it’s helpful to understand its leader, Russell Shilling.
Sitting in his Fairfax, Va., office, Shilling is flanked by a colorful tableau: a coterie of medals from his time in the armed forces and a sky blue puppet from his six years working with Sesame Street. He shares his felt doppelganger’s glasses and close-cropped hair, though not its hue.
An experimental psychologist, Shilling has led many lives. During his time in the Navy and at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, he developed virtual reality therapy to help Iraq War veterans with PTSD and constructed early versions of chatbots to destigmatize mental health issues, bringing them into clinics.
Acceptability and Efficacy of a Culturally Adapted, Low-Frequency Parent-Mediated Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Versus Standard Care in Young Children With Autism
Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Interventions: Behavioral: Early Start Denver Model
Sponsors: National University Hospital, Singapore
Completed
Interventions: Behavioral: Early Start Denver Model
Sponsors: National University Hospital, Singapore
Completed
Enhancing Emotion Regulation in Children With Autism Through Extended Reality
Conditions: Autism; Emotion Regulation Difficulties
Interventions: Behavioral: Extended Reality; Behavioral: Emotion regulation coaching
Sponsors: Johannes Kepler University of Linz; Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria; Hospital of St.John of God, Linz
Completed
Interventions: Behavioral: Extended Reality; Behavioral: Emotion regulation coaching
Sponsors: Johannes Kepler University of Linz; Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria; Hospital of St.John of God, Linz
Completed
Maternal folate receptor alpha autoantibodies and folate levels during pregnancy in relation to autism spectrum disorder: a pilot case-control study
BackgroundFolate receptor alpha autoantibodies (FRAA) are reported to be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are found more frequently in mothers of children with ASD. However, the relationship between maternal FRAA during pregnancy, folate status, and ASD risk in offspring remains unclear.ObjectiveIn this exploratory pilot study, we compared maternal serum binding FRAA measured during pregnancy between high-folate ASD cases and childbirth-time–matched mothers of typically developing children.MethodsFRAA were retrospectively analyzed in serum samples collected between gestational weeks 7 and 18 from women whose children were later diagnosed with ASD (case subgroup, n = 10) and mothers of neurotypical children (control subgroup, n = 10). Case samples were selected based on previously measured elevated folate levels, while controls were selected to minimize differences in biobank storage duration.ResultsFRAA were detected in 2 of 10 samples in each group, corresponding to a prevalence of 20%. Although based on limited statistical power, no significant difference in FRAA prevalence was observed.ConclusionIn this exploratory pilot study, no difference in binding FRAA prevalence was found between mothers of children with ASD, who were selected for elevated maternal folate levels, and mothers of neurotypical children. While this finding does not support a link between FRAA and elevated maternal folate levels, the small sample size and selection criteria limit interpretation.LimitationsThe study was limited by the small sample size, differences in subgroup selection, uncertainty in gestational age at sampling, and the inability to assess blocking FRAA.