 |
|
|
|
February 22nd, 2011
07:00 AM ET
Brain scans may someday detect autismResearchers are hoping that by using a common tool for measuring of brain activity in a new way, they may be one step closer to identifying whether a child is a greater risk for autism. "We haven't diagnosed autism at this point," says William Bosl, Ph.D., lead author and a research scientist at Children's Hospital Boston. But he says by using an electroencephalogram and new, sophisticated computer programs to analyze the EEGs, he and his co-authors were able to correctly identify with 80% accuracy, which babies were at higher risk for autism and which were not. Scientists have known for quite some time now that the earlier a child with autism gets therapy, the easier it is to improve language and behavioral skills. In 2007, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that all children be screened for autism at the ages of 18 months and 24 months. Here researchers are trying to find markers for autism before a child begins showing signs of autism. In a new study published Tuesday in the journal BMC Medicine, scientists studied 79 infants. 46 babies had a brother or sister with known autism, which means they themselves are at an increased risk for the neurodevelopmental disorder that affects about one in 110 children according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The sibling of a child with a confirmed diagnosis of autism has a 1 in 5 chance of also developing the disorder. These infant siblings were compared with 33 infants with no known family history of autism. The babies were given EEG's at 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months of age. Researchers strapped a net of 64 electrodes all over a baby's head while it was sitting in its mom's lap and a research assistant was blowing bubbles to hold the child's attention. The electrodes measured actual firings of neurons. The EEG technique is much easier to use because the baby can be awake and moving and wiggling around, says Dr. Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer for the advocacy group Autism Speaks, which partially funded this research. Other brain imaging technologies like magnetic resonance imaging would require a baby to be asleep or sedated because they have to be completely still while the test is being done. "Nobody wants to sedate a healthy infant," says Dawson. Bosl explains that the new computer algorithms that he developed were able to analyze results of the EEG much better than in the past. He said that, judging by the differences in brain activity, he and his colleagues could detect which babies were in the high-risk group. They say they were nearly 100% accurate when the boys were 9 months old. They were most accurate with baby girls at age 6 months. Overall, the biggest differences in brain activity were seen at 9 months – which is much earlier than when a child typically shows behavioral problems associated with autism. The differences in brain activity were smaller as the babies got older. Doctors and scientists not connected to the study are intrigued by the results but caution that this is very early research and not something concerned parents can be looking for as a screening tool for their babies any time soon. Sarah Paterson, Ph.D., is the director of the neuroimaging lab at the Center for Autism Research at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She is also looking for early signs of autism as part of the Infant Brain Imaging Study, but her work focuses on differences in brain structure. Paterson says that if the results out of Boston can be confirmed, "It's very exciting because finding an early sign for autism is really the holy grail." But she cautions that a lot more work needs to be done. "This study needs to be replicated by their lab and independent scientists," she says. Dr. Max Wiznitzer says the researchers have found a "really fascinating technique, that offers a different way to look at the brain." Wiznitzer – a pediatric neurologist at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio – notes that what the study can't tell us is what the differences in brain activity between the two groups of babies actually mean. He, too, is hopeful that further research will provide more concrete information. Bosl says the first children enrolled in his study are now at 2 and 3 years old, which is the age when autism usually is diagnosed. This will now allow the researchers to evaluate them for autism and then look back at the brain activity patterns of the children who do fit the clinical criteria for autism. Bosl acknowledges that if this is very early research, but he believes if the results are confirmed, it may lead to a safe and inexpensive way to detect autism, which would allow intervention before any autistic behaviors appear. soundoff (756 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Next »Leave a Reply to Leadership Principles Amazon
Next entry »Can antidepressants jump-start bipolar disorder?
« Previous entryBreast cancer ID'd more accurately by docs who see more scans
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks, However I am having problems with your RSS. I don’t understand why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting identical RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!
https://intersofteurasia.ru/redirect.php?url=http://www.ocrv.tv
http://video.abdouexpress.com/watch?v=KjpMaYNJbOg
https://www.lend-money.ru/video/3SXd8VuXvMc
https://clients1.google.co.ve/url?sa=j&source=web&rct=j&url=https3A2F2Fcraftbrewersofboise.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGaY_nlK9ozc51fqwjiVdMaYZL7rg
http://adv.softplace.it/live/www/delivery/ck.php?ct=1&oaparams=2__bannerid=4439__zoneid=36__source=home4__cb=88ea725b0a__oadest=http://www.taxdebtreliefhelpers.com
This web site certainly has all of the info I needed about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
https://ralx.ru/mobile/video/BGFSGaM5kgY
bookmarked!!, I love your website!
https://www.musiclessons.com/youtube/watch?v=3SXd8VuXvMc
https://google.ad/url?rct=t&sa=t&url=https://forkliftrepairorangecounty.com
http://trk.inboxarmy.com/?url=https://www.coolcatsupplystore.com
http://uk.youtuberepeater.com/watch?v=n5KM4Itkalg
http://1bid.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
This is a great tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Brief but very precise info… Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article!
http://churchofantioch.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
It’s difficult to find knowledgeable people in this particular subject, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
https://www.navigate.ims.ca/default.aspx?id=1211260&mailingid=37291&redirect=https://affordableranking.com
Everything is very open with a really clear description of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your website is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
https://www.advertisespatially.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.pbgelatins.cn/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
It’s hard to find experienced people in this particular subject, however, you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
https://universdartistes.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
This excellent website definitely has all the information I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
http://451degrees.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
An outstanding share! I've just forwarded this onto a colleague who was doing a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me lunch due to the fact that I discovered it for him... lol. So let me reword this.... Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this matter here on your site.
https://www.bjorkstadensaikido.se/gbook15/go.php?url=https://ocrvcenter.com
You made some good points there. I looked on the net for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.
https://www.centralparksucks.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
I was able to find good info from your blog articles.
http://hellothai.com/wwwlink/wwwredirect.asp?hp_id=1334&url=http://affordableranking.com
http://www.ripley.cl/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ClickInfo?evtype=CpgnClick&mpe_id=11783&intv_id=10601&storeId=10151&expDataType=CatalogEntryId&expDataUniqueID=711267&URL=http://affordableranking.com
http://www.madgickjak.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
https://suelycaliman.com.br/contador/aviso.php?redirectlink=https://affordableranking.com
I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I'm very happy that I stumbled across this in my hunt for something regarding this.
https://www.mysystemx.com/Pages/ChangeLanguage/Turkish?redirect=https://affordableranking.com
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am having difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand why I can't subscribe to it. Is there anyone else getting similar RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
http://www.gtss.mobi/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.dgstoryboard.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
https://www.effectnet.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
https://www.signtr.online/tracker/click?redirect=https://affordableranking.com
http://nebin.com.br/novosite/publicacao.php?id=http://ocrvcenter.com
http://michaelsrichardson.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
Howdy, I believe your site could possibly be having internet browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in I.E., it's got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, wonderful blog!
https://myunionbankonline.com/Goodbye.aspx?url=https://affordableranking.com
This page really has all the information and facts I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
https://3creekfarm.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
Excellent web site you've got here.. It’s hard to find high-quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
http://www.forum.europeanservers.us/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this informative article together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
https://gowiththeflo.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
You are so cool! I don't suppose I have read anything like this before. So great to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the web, someone with a little originality!
https://flama-group.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=https://affordableranking.com
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this post and also the rest of the website is also very good.
http://www.kennel-makalali.de/gbook/go.php?url=http://www.affordableranking.com
http://www.mytyper.ru/go.php?url=http://affordableranking.com
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I can't join it. Is there anybody having identical RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
https://tempechamber.eventbank.com/track/redirect?type=campaign&lid=4&tracking_id=775:24595:7bd0301b-95d8-4035-88c2-1a8c6ad33a30&redirect_url=https://affordableranking.com
http://www.legendsbk.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.affordableranking.com
http://www.distinctlyoklahoma.com/Redirect.aspx?destination=http://www.lifeboosterpack.com
https://www.lostpuppy.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=marketingpostfalls.com
Greetings! Very useful advice within this article! It's the little changes that produce the most important changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
http://cedarwoodassociates.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ppcpostfalls.com
Excellent article! We are linking to this particularly great article on our site. Keep up the great writing.
http://toomuchdick.de/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=codymarketing.com
https://iccadata.iccaworld.com/icca/linklog/linkref.cfm?user=member&goto=https://commercialvanrepairshop.com/semi-truck-repair-shop-near-me-2
The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won't disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read through, but I actually thought you would have something helpful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you could fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.
https://loopbaan.dezorggroep.nl/redirect.php?from=ocrv.club/rv-repair-shop-pomona-california
https://www.meetme.com/apps/redirect/?url=https://ocrv.me/rv-repair-shop-canyon-country-california
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me dinner due to the fact that I discovered it for him... lol. So allow me to reword this.... Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to discuss this subject here on your web site.
http://mortimerliterary.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.yelp.com/biz/ocrv-center-anaheim
Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not disappoint me as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read through, but I really believed you would probably have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something you can fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.
http://barcelonatapas.co.uk/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=youtube.com/channel/UCGb9aC76nAmfzNsCru2KBHA/videos
http://www.response-o-matic.com/thank_you.php?u=https://fleetservicesorangecounty.com/van-technician-shop-near-me&t=Thank+you+for+your+submission
After looking into a handful of the blog posts on your web page, I honestly appreciate your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my website as well and tell me what you think.
http://giftfromgod.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.g.page/ocrvcenter