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Research

Parsing the heterogeneity of social motivation in autism

Social motivation is posited as a key factor in the expression of the autism phenotype. However, lack of precision in both conceptualization and measurement has impeded a thorough understanding of its diverse presentation and associated outcomes. This study addresses this gap by identifying subgroups of autism characterized by deficits in distinct facets of social motivation, relative to normative benchmarks.

Research

Child and Family Characteristics Associated with Symptoms of Anxiety in Autistic Children: A Biobank Study

Autistic children have an increased likelihood of anxiety, but more research is needed on the characteristics that predict various types of anxiety in this population. 

Research

Few sex differences in regional gray matter volume growth trajectories across early childhood

Sex-specific developmental differences in brain structure have been documented in older children and adolescents, with females generally showing smaller overall brain volumes and earlier peak ages than males. However, sex differences in gray matter structural development in early childhood are less studied. We characterized sex-specific trajectories of gray matter volume development in children aged 2–8 years.  

Research

Caregiver sensitivity predicts infant language use, and infant language complexity predicts caregiver language complexity, in the context of possible emerging autism

While theory supports bidirectional effects between caregiver sensitivity and language use, and infant language acquisition-both caregiver-to-infant and also infant-to-caregiver effects-empirical research has chiefly explored the former unidirectional path. In the context of infants showing early signs of autism, we investigated prospective bidirectional associations with 6-min free-play interaction samples collected for 103 caregivers and their infants (mean age 12-months; and followed up 6-months later).

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The effects of prenatal bisphenol A exposure on brain volume of children and young mice

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical used for the manufacturing of plastics, epoxy resin, and many personal care products. This ubiquitous endocrine disruptor is detectable in the urine of over 80% of North Americans.

Research

Occurrence of psychosis and bipolar disorder in adults with autism: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Evidence suggests that individuals with autism spectrum disorder have increased rates of co-occurring psychosis and/or bipolar disorder. Considering the peak age of onset for psychosis and bipolar disorder occurs in adulthood, we investigated the co-occurrence of these disorders in adults with autism.

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Does cerebral lateralization develop? A study using functional transcranial Doppler ultrasound assessing

In the majority of people, language production is lateralized to the left cerebral hemisphere and visuospatial skills to the right.

Research

Where were those rabbits? A new paradigm to determine cerebral lateralisation of visuospatial memory function in children

In the majority of people, functional differences are observed between the two cerebral hemispheres: language production is typically subserved by the left...