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Author Interviews, Autism, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, JAMA / 06.10.2025

Memantine to Treat Social Impairment in Youths With ASD

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Gagan Joshi, MD Director, The Alan & Lorraine Bressler Clinical and Research Program for Autism Spectrum Disorder Associate Director, The Pediatric Psychopharmacology Research Program Associate Program Director, MGH Fellowship in Autism Spectrum Disorder Rovee Endowed Chair in Child Psychiatry Massachusetts General Hospital Associate Professor of Psychiatry Harvard Medical School MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Intellectually capable individuals with autism often face significant challenges in social functioning, yet pharmacologic treatments specifically targeting social impairments are lacking. Our prior neuroimaging research identified abnormally elevated brain glutamate levels in intellectually capable youth with autism, suggesting a potential neurochemical pathway underlying social difficulties. Based on these findings, we examined the effects of memantine—a glutamate-modulating medication—for the treatment of autism. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, OBGYNE, Pain Research, Pediatrics / 23.09.2025

Statement from Andrea Baccarelli, MD, PhD Dean of the Faculty Professor of Environmental Health Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Colleagues and I recently conducted a rigorous review, funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), of the potential risks of acetaminophen use during pregnancy. We reviewed 46 previously published human studies worldwide. We found evidence of an association between exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy and increased incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. This association is strongest when acetaminophen is taken for four weeks or longer. (more…)
Autism, Environmental Risks, Legal-Malpractice, Pediatrics / 31.07.2025

possible-link-baby-food-autism.jpg In recent years, growing concern has emerged among parents, scientists, and legal professionals over a troubling link: the potential connection between baby food and autism. While research is still ongoing, reports suggest that some mainstream baby food products may contain harmful levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium—substances that can seriously impact early brain development.

What Does the Research Say?

Several government reports, including one by the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy in 2021, revealed that some popular baby food brands were found to have significant levels of toxic heavy metals. These metals are known neurotoxins and have been linked to developmental disorders when exposure occurs during infancy or pregnancy. As a result, some parents have begun filing toxic baby food product liability lawsuits. Although ASD is a complex condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, scientists have found that exposure to neurotoxic substances during early development may elevate the risk. Heavy metals, even in trace amounts, can disrupt the delicate neurological development processes in babies, potentially contributing to cognitive delays and behavioral issues commonly associated with ASD. (more…)
ADHD, Autism, Education, Mental Health Research / 08.07.2025

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding and improving human behavior. It is widely used in clinical, educational, and organizational settings, with proven success in helping individuals with autism and other developmental disorders. While ABA is a broad field, its foundation is built upon a set of essential guiding principles — often referred to as the 7 Dimensions of ABA. Originally introduced by Baer, Wolf, and Risley in 1968, these dimensions represent the gold standard for what qualifies as effective and ethical ABA practice. In this article, we’ll explore these 7 keys of ABA in depth, explain their significance, and show how they work together to promote meaningful behavior change. Table of Contents
  1. What Are the 7 Keys of ABA?
  2. 1. Applied
  3. 2. Behavioral
  4. 3. Analytic
  5. 4. Technological
  6. 5. Conceptually Systematic
  7. 6. Effective
  8. 7. Generality
  9. Why These Dimensions Matter
  10. Applying the 7 Keys in Real Life
  11. Conclusion
(more…)
Autism / 08.06.2025

Although separation anxiety is common among children, it’s more pronounced in those on the autism spectrum. They often undergo considerable distress when separated from their primary caregiver or taken away from familiar surroundings. The result is disrupted daily life, compromised social interactions, and other life challenges that require well-thought-out interventions to address. It helps to understand the unique needs of autistic children and how to create a supportive environment where they feel loved and understood. Below are some strategies you can use to manage autism separation anxiety. (more…)
Autism / 15.04.2025

Understanding the Importance of Early and Personalized Intervention

For families navigating an autism diagnosis, one of the most common and pressing questions is: What are the best therapy options available? In Illinois, a growing number of families are turning to evidence-based autism therapy programs that emphasize early intervention, personalized treatment, and measurable outcomes. Therapy for autism isn’t one-size-fits-all. Children on the autism spectrum present with a diverse range of strengths and challenges, so effective therapy must be tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs. Fortunately, the field has evolved significantly in recent years, offering families in Illinois greater access to advanced care models designed to support long-term development and well-being. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Pediatrics / 14.02.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Magdalena Janecka PhD Associate Professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Associate Professor, Department of Population Health NYU Grossman School of Medicine MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Several earlier studies have indicated that certain maternal conditions in pregnancy – for example, depression or obesity - are associated with higher rates of autism in offspring. However, the majority of the conditions females experience during pregnancy have not been investigated in the context of autism before. Additionally, while the evidence that these associations are likely not causal existed for a few maternal diagnoses, it was not clear whether this applies to just a few associations that have been examined or is more widespread. Our study investigated the association between all maternal conditions in pregnancy (provided they were common enough to allow us to estimate their effects) and the likelihood of autism in the child. Then, for the significant associations, we tested whether these associations seemed causal, or whether they were instead attributable to other confounding factors. Confounders are other variables that can influence the relationship between the variables in a study, for example maternal health and autism. Factors shared by family members, i.e. familial factors (e.g., genetics) are common confounders in studies like ours, and are particularly difficult to account for. (more…)
Autism / 09.01.2025

Behavior technicians, often referred to as behavior techs, play a pivotal role in the field of behavioral health. These professionals work closely with individuals who have various behavioral challenges, particularly those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They are the front-line workers who implement behavioral interventions designed to improve the quality of life for their clients. If you're interested in pursuing a career that makes a meaningful difference, consider enrolling in a behavior tech course to get started. behavior-techician

What Does a Behavior Technician Do?

Behavior technicians are responsible for carrying out behavior intervention plans (BIPs) under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Their duties include observing and recording client behavior, implementing interventions, and providing feedback to supervisors. The primary goal of a behavior technician is to help clients develop skills and behaviors that enable them to function more effectively in their daily lives. (more…)
Autism / 17.12.2024

It’s time to focus more on girls with ASD. Stereotypes of autistic girls all-too-often prevent them from getting the help they need. Society tends to draw a narrow picture of what autism looks like. That means so many girls go undiagnosed or misunderstood. It is important to dismantle these myths to create more understanding and bring about a world wherein every autistic girl feels valued and accepted.

Autism Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

One of the greatest myths is that autism presents in every individual the same way. Girls on the spectrum will often present differently than boys, which can make their autism less obvious. For example, girls may have socially accepted interests, such as animals or characters in fiction, while boys are more likely to have interests traditionally associated with autism, like trains or technology. Many girls learn to camouflage their autistic traits. They may imitate social behaviors or suppress stimming to fit in, which makes their challenges less noticeable. This can bring about emotional exhaustion and delayed diagnosis. (more…)
Autism / 27.09.2024

Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. One common characteristic of autism is stimming, which stands for self-stimulatory behavior. Stimming helps individuals with autism cope with sensory overload, anxiety, and other challenges they may face. In this article, we'll delve into the world of stimming and focus on a specific form of it - finger flicking.

What is Stimming?

Stimming is a set of self-soothing behaviors that people with autism engage in. It's a way for them to regulate their sensory experiences and emotional responses. Stimming can take various forms, from rocking and hand-flapping to repetitive vocal sounds and, of course, finger flicking. These behaviors serve a crucial purpose for individuals with autism, helping them manage stress, anxiety, and sensory overstimulation. (more…)
Autism / 06.09.2024

aba_therapy, autism Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an evidence-based treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders. ABA therapy is a personalized treatment plan that focuses on improving behavior, social interaction, and more, simultaneously focusing on the person’s strengths and weaknesses. For this reason, it is crucial to plan the treatment effectively. While the treatment itself has been groundbreaking, it does come with a set of challenges. This article explores the challenges of ABA treatment planning with practical solutions.

Why Is ABA Treatment Planning Important?

The process of planning an ABA treatment plan involves carefully designing intervention strategies to aid people with autism. The primary goal of ABA therapy is to encourage positive behavior, situationally appropriate communication, advance social interaction, and day-to-day quality of life. When an ABA treatment plan is planned effectively, it allows ABA therapists to identify preferences, challenges, and strengths much faster, allowing for quicker intervention. Furthermore, ABA treatment plans should be dynamic. In other words, you must be able to adjust the plan when the need arises. Not only is this great for the autistic individual since it promotes and encourages growth, but it also allows the person to reach their goals much faster. Do keep in mind that a treatment plan must include clear, manageable goals. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Genetic Research / 26.08.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Caroline Dias, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Pediatrics-Developmental Pediatrics University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus       Christopher Walsh, M.D., Ph.D. Chief, Division of Genetics and Genomics Bullard Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at Harvard Medical School and researcher who has used material donated to the brain bank     MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Many different types of genetic variants contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. Copy number variants are large pieces of genetic material that are duplicated or deleted. We have known for many years that many copy number variants at certain genetic locations are linked to autism. Because these copy number variants may include lots of different genes, it has been difficult to understand how these copy number variants alter human brain function. Furthermore, although animal models are important, autism is in many ways defined by differences in uniquely human cognitive and social functioning. Better understanding of how these copy number variants change human brain function will shed light on universal mechanisms that regulate neurodevelopment. We studied a copy number variant called dup15q, that is associated with almost 40-fold higher rates of autism vs. the general population. We studied post-mortem human brain tissue from individuals with dup15q, individuals with autism not related to dup15q, and neurotypical controls, to better understand how the human brain is impacted by dup15q. We focused on frontal cortex, an important brain region in executive function and social perspective taking. We applied cutting edge techniques that allow us to assess individual cells in the brain.  (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Nature, Pediatrics / 11.04.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Andrey Vyshedskiy, PhD Founder and CEO of ImagiRation LLC Neuroscientist, Boston University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The common intuitive belief is that language comprehension development follows a linear trajectory: children acquire one grammatical rule at a time. Over 20 years ago, Dr. A. Vyshedskiy, predicted that instead of linear development, language should unfold in three steps corresponding to three language comprehension mechanisms of increasing complexity. The study of 31845 autistic individuals, published today in the journal npj Mental Health Research, validates this prediction. The implications of this discovery are reaching far and wide. The traditional definition of language is highly ambiguous. For some philosophers, “language” is equivalent to a “communication system.” Others argue that “language” must be defined more narrowly, in a way that is unique to humans. The results of the new study streamline terminology for describing different language comprehension mechanisms. The ensuing discussion of which language comprehension mechanisms are unique to humans and which are shared with other apes is expected to be most interesting. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, JAMA, Pediatrics, Technology / 08.01.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Karen F. Heffler, MD Researcher, Autism Spectrum Disorder Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry Drexel University College of Medicine Philadelphia, PA MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? children-watching-tv-pexels-photo-4740522 Response: Atypical sensory processing is common in neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting approximately 60% of children with ADHD and up to 90% of children with autism. Sensory symptoms are associated with hyperactivity, restricted/repetitive behavior, irritability, behavioral problems, and emotional dysregulation. Sensory-related meltdowns and symptoms can be very disruptive to family-life, interfere with family participation in community events and are associated with increased caregiver stress. Prior to this study there was little understanding of potential risk factors for atypical sensory processing. The researchers used data from the National Children’s Study to determine the association between early-life screen time and sensory processing outcomes among toddlers. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, JAMA, Pediatrics, UCSD / 08.02.2023

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Karen Pierce, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Neurosciences, UCSD Co-Director, Autism Center of Excellence, UCSD MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The mean age of ASD diagnosis and eventual treatment remains at ~52 months in the United States1 - years beyond the disorder’s prenatal origins2, and beyond the age when it can be reliably diagnosed in many cases3. Currently the only way to determine if a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is to receive a developmental evaluation from an experienced clinician (usually a licensed clinical psychologist). There are often long waiting lists, and only a small number of clinicians have the experience required to make early-age (i.e., between 12-36 months) diagnoses of ASD. Thus, there are many places in the country as well as world wide wherein children wait months or years to receive a formal diagnosis due to a lack of available expertise. Moreover, diagnostic evaluations are expensive and usually cost the parent and/or insurance approximately ~$2,000 or more per evaluation.  Finally, clinical evaluations usually take between 2-3 hours to complete and result in fatigue for both the parent and toddler. Eye-tracking, which generates biologically-relevant, objective, and quantifiable metrics of both visual and auditory preference profiles in babies and toddlers in just minutes, is a technology that can dramatically change how ASD is diagnosed. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Medical Imaging / 02.04.2022

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Alpen ORTUĞ, PhD Postdoctoral Research Fellow​ Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Radiology Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging Boston, MA   MedicalResearch.com:  What is the background for this study?  What are the main findings? Response: Finding the earliest diagnosis possible for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the main goals for researchers studying ASD. This study aimed to investigate the critical abnormalities in prenatal brain development in ASD using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We hypothesized that volumetric analyses of brain segmentations are useful to identify such abnormalities before birth. We have retrospectively analyzed fetal MRI based on the knowledge that the same individuals were later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. We have evaluated developmental abnormalities in brain structures of prospective ASD fetuses using volumetric segmentation. The current study is still preliminary, but the ‘insula’ of the brain showed statistically significant volumetric enlargement in prospective ASD patients, compared to the other three control groups.  (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Cannabis, JAMA, Pediatrics / 28.05.2021

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Daimei Sasayama, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Psychiatry Shinshu University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing worldwide. A 2016 US survey reported a prevalence of 1.85% in 8-year-olds, and a birth cohort study in Denmark reported that the future cumulative incidence of ASD could exceed 2.8%. Our recent regional cohort study in Japan reported an even higher cumulative incidence of 3.1%. So we examined whether the cumulative incidence in our regional cohort represents the nationwide incidence in Japan.  (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, JAMA, Mental Health Research, Pediatrics, Race/Ethnic Diversity / 08.03.2021

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Kevin Lu PhD Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences College of Pharmacy Medical University of South Carolina MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?  Response: It is documented that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been increasing in the past few years. However, no information on potential racial and ethnic disparities in ASD diagnosis can be found in the literature. Most recently, the possible structural racism and health inequities have been a concern for the public and policy makers. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Fertility, Genetic Research / 12.01.2021

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Michael Skinner,  PhD Eastlick Distinguished Professor Founding Director, Center for Reproductive Biology School of Biological Sciences Washington State University Pullman WA MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Over twenty years ago we identified the existence of a non-genetic form of inheritance through analysis of environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease, now well established in a number of species including humans.  I was giving a talk on this topic at a meeting in Spain.   This study was initiated following the scientific meeting in Spain with an in vitro fertilization clinical group that said they had access to sperm from males with and without autistic children.  It took several years to collect and characterize the samples, and find financial support for the study.  Once this was done then we did the molecular analysis to see if the sperm from fathers with autistic children had epigenetic, DNA methylation alterations, that associated with them having offspring with autism. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Education, Pediatrics / 21.12.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Andrey Vyshedskiy PhD Boston University, Boston MedicalResearch.com: What is the background of ImagiRation? https://imagiration.com/ Response: ImagiRation is a Boston-based startup with links to MIT, Harvard, and Boston University. ImagiRation has developed a highly innovative adaptive language therapy application for children with autism, Mental Imagery Therapy for Autism (MITA). MedicalResearch.com: How is the Mental Imagery Therapy for Autism program delivered? Response: MITA language therapy is administered by parents at home. MITA application works on all smartphones and tablet devices and is designed for children ages 2 to 12 years. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Environmental Risks, JAMA, Pediatrics / 31.08.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Jessica Shoaff, MPH, PhD Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Susan A. Korrick, MD Pulmonary and Critical Care Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Health Harvard Medical School · Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Brigham and Women's Hospital Channing Laboratory Boston, MA 02115   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Our study posed the question:  Do teenagers’ exposures to chemicals that are often found in consumer products increase behaviors that are common among individuals diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? Our results suggest that teenagers exposed to chemicals often found in consumer products (particularly phthalates) may have increased behaviors that are common among individuals diagnosed with ADHD.  However, we did not study the diagnosis of ADHD (most of our study teens did not have ADHD).  This means our results cannot answer the question of whether these chemical exposures increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with ADHD. Also, in our study design, chemical exposures and ADHD-related behaviors were measured at the same time, so it is not possible to know with certainty whether the chemical exposures altered behavior or behavior altered chemical exposures.  (more…)
Abuse and Neglect, Alzheimer's - Dementia, Autism, Medical Imaging, Mental Health Research, MRI, Multiple Sclerosis, Neurology, Technology / 23.12.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Sebastian Magda, Ph.D Director of Science & Engineering CorTechs Labs, Inc MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Previous studies have shown that the changes of brain structure volume and/or metabolic activity are associated with various neurological diseases. We have created an artificial intelligence clinical decision support tool based on brain volumetric and PET metabolic activity measurements as well as other clinical measurements. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Neurology / 11.12.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Neil Dawson PhD Senior Lecturer Lancaster University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Deletions on chromosome 2p16.3, involving deletion of the NEUREXIN1 gene, dramatically increase the risk of developing a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, Tourette’s syndrome and schizophrenia. We don’t fully understand the mechanisms involved. In our study we wanted to understand how the genetic deletion impacts on brain function and the ability of brain regions to communicate with one another, as these are known to be impaired in these neurodevelopmental disorders. We also wanted to determine how the genetic deletion impacts on the function of neurotransmitter systems involved in these disorders, and whether drugs targeting these neurotransmitter systems could restore some of the deficits in brain function seen. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Genetic Research, Nature, Pediatrics / 10.12.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Stephen Scherer, PhD, FRSC Senior Scientist, Genetics & Genome Biology Director, The Centre for Applied Genomics SickKids Hospital Toronto MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: One of the most common questions we get from parents with a child with autism is, "what is the likelihood of having a second or third child with autism, and what is the chance others in our family will have kids with autism?". To help provide answers to these questions, we started the infant (or baby) siblings study ten years ago. Families having an older sibling with a diagnosis of autism were invited to enroll their next born for assessment and following to see if they also developed autism, and what the likelihood of that happening was. Biological samples like blood, and DNA from blood, were also collected and tested.  (more…)
ADHD, Author Interviews, Autism, JAMA, OBGYNE / 30.08.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Tianyang Zhang, MSc Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: We know that births by caesarean delivery are linked to several negative health outcomes in the children, such as obesity, asthma, allergy, and type 1 diabetes. However, the association between c-section and neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders has been less studied. In addition, it is unclear whether the extent of this association is different if a caesarean section is performed planned in advance or urgently due to medical reasons during a delivery. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Pediatrics / 05.08.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Andrey Vyshedskiy PhD Boston University, Boston MedicalResearch.com: What gave you the idea for the paper?   Response: I have been interested in the physical properties of imagination since I was nine years old, and was involved in related research since my undergraduate studies. Having been trained in neuroscience, I set out to understand the neurological basis of imagination pertaining to the differences between humans and other animals. In 2008, after fifteen years of research, I allowed myself to speculate on the subject, and published the first edition of “On the Origin of the Human Mind.” From that period to the present day, I have continued to work on the same subject. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Occupational Health / 08.04.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Ginny Russell, PhD College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter Medical School University of Exeter Exeter United Kingdom  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: The study was done to find out what autistic adults could tell us about their own abilities. They told us about their abilities and how these abilities had helped them in their everyday lives: at work, in their relationships with other people, and at home. Hyper focus, attention to detail, and the ability to remember were the abilities that autistic people said benefitted them most often. But autistic adults who were interviewed said although their autistic traits were sometimes helpful, at other times they hindered their progress. So the same trait might be useful in some circumstances and unhelpful in other situations. For example, hypersensitivity led one person to enjoy nature, but was difficult to cope with in crowded streets. The study highlights this interchangeability. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Social Issues, University of Pittsburgh, Vaccine Studies / 26.03.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Beth Hoffman, B.Sc., graduate student University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Research Assistant, University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Vaccine refusal is a public health crisis - low vaccination rates are leading to outbreaks of deadly vaccine-preventable diseases. In 2017, Kids Plus Pediatrics, a Pittsburgh-based pediatric practice, posted a video on its Facebook pagef eaturing its practitioners encouraging HPV vaccination to prevent cancer. Nearly a month after the video posted, it caught the attention of multiple anti-vaccination groups and, in an eight-day period, garnered thousands of anti-vaccination comments. Our team analyzed the profiles of a randomly selected sample of 197 commenters in the hopes that this crisis may be stemmed if we can better understand and communicate with vaccine-hesitant parents. We determined that, although Kids Plus Pediatrics is an independent practice caring for patients in the Pittsburgh region, the commenters in the sample were spread across 36 states and eight countries. By delving into the messages that each commenter had publicly posted in the previous two years, we also found that they clustered into four distinct subgroups:
  • “trust,” which emphasized suspicion of the scientific community and concerns about personal liberty;
  • “alternatives,” which focused on chemicals in vaccines and the use of homeopathic remedies instead of vaccination;
  • “safety,” which focused on perceived risks and concerns about vaccination being immoral; and
  • “conspiracy,” which suggested that the government and other entities hide information that this subgroup believes to be facts, including that the polio virus does not exist. 
(more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Cognitive Issues, JAMA / 04.01.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Tjasa Velikonja, PhD Department of Psychiatry The Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, New York MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Autism is a lifelong condition, and challenges associated with autism persist from childhood into adulthood. Despite this, research and treatment have been largely dedicated to children. Because of that, we had very little understanding of what areas – what cognitive domains - are most severely impacted in adults with autism. Importantly, the lack of such information also limits treatment development in this area. What is known already is that adults with autism display deficits in social cognition (which refers to the role that cognitive processes play in our social interactions). Although our meta-analysis supported these theories, it also highlighted several other challenges in cognitive processing, such as deficits in processing speed and verbal learning and memory. And these impairments were observed in adults with autism without an overall intellectual disability. (more…)