On World Autism Awareness Day, IACC Releases 2010 Summary of Advances in ASD Research

Friday, April 1, 2011

In celebration of World Autism Awareness Day, the IACC has released its list of the top twenty scientific advances in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research for 2010. The selected articles include new ways to understand ASD using cellular models and high-tech imaging techniques, studies uncovering new genetic risk factors and novel ways to diagnose ASD using speech patterns, and the first intervention proven to be effective for toddlers. The selections also include an evaluation of currently-used interventions and treatment models and an assessment of whether early intervention programs can meet the increasing demand for services.

World Autism Awareness Day was established by the United Nations in 2007 to bring global attention to ASD and highlight the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. ASD is a developmental disorder that leads to difficulty with social interaction and communication skills and may include repetitive behaviors or interests. It affects about one percent of children in the United States and an estimated millions more internationally. The scientific discoveries described in the Summary of Advances represent significant steps forward in understanding ASD and improving quality of life for individuals and families affected by the disorder.  

Articles selected for the 2010 IACC Summary of Advances (listed by question area in the Strategic Plan for ASD Research):

Question 1: Diagnosis – When Should I Be Concerned?

• Implementing developmental screening and referrals: lessons learned from a national project – King et al. Pediatrics. February 2010.
• Consensus statement: Chromosomal microarray is a first-tier clinical diagnostic test for individuals with developmental disabilities or congenital anomalies – Miller et al. American Journal of Human Genetics. May 2010.
• Automated vocal analysis of naturalistic recordings from children with autism, language delay, and typical development – Oller et al. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. July 2010.
• A prospective study of the emergence of early behavioral signs of autism – Ozonoff et al. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. March 2010.

Question 2: Biology – How Can I Understand What Is Happening?

• Evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with ASDs: a consensus report – Buie et al. Pediatrics. January 2010.
  and
• Recommendations for evaluation and treatment of common gastrointestinal problems in children with ASDs – Buie et al. Pediatrics. January 2010.
• Describing the brain in autism in five dimensions—magnetic resonance imaging-assisted diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder using a multiparameter classification approach – Ecker et al. Journal of Neuroscience. August 2010.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism – Kaiser et al. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. December 2010.
• Neural signatures of autism – Kaiser et al. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. December 2010.  
• A model for neural development and treatment of Rett syndrome using human induced pluripotent stem cells – Marchetto et al. Cell. November 2010.
• Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study of cortical development through early childhood in autism – Schumann et al. Journal of Neuroscience. March 2010.

Question 3: Risk Factors – What Caused This To Happen and Can It Be Prevented?

• Mutations in the SHANK2 synaptic scaffolding gene in autism spectrum disorder and mental retardation – Berkel et al. Nature Genetics. June 2010.
• Blood mercury concentrations in CHARGE Study children with and without autism – Hertz-Picciotto. Environmental Health Perspectives. January 2010.
• Functional impact of global rare copy number variation in autism spectrum disorders – Pinto et al. Nature. July 2010.
• Altered functional connectivity in frontal lobe circuits is associated with variation in the autism risk gene CNTNAP2–  Scott-van Zeeland et al. Science Translational Medicine. November 2010.

Question 4: Intervention – Which Treatments and Interventions Will Help?

• Randomized, controlled trial of an intervention for toddlers with autism: The Early Start Denver Model – Dawson et al. Pediatrics. January 2010
• Randomized controlled caregiver mediated joint engagement intervention for toddlers with autism –  Kasari et al. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders. September 2010.
• Evaluation of comprehensive treatment models for individuals with autism spectrum disorders – Odom et al. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders. April 2010.
• Evidence-based practices in interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders. – Odom et al. Preventing School Failure. May 2010.

Question 5: Services – Where Can I Turn For Services?

• Can state early intervention programs meet the increased demand of children suspected of having autism spectrum disorders? – Wise et al. Journal of Development & Behavioral Pediatrics. July – August 2010.

Question 7: Infrastructure – What Other Infrastructure and Surveillance Needs Must Be Met?

• Changes in autism spectrum disorder prevalence in 4 areas of the United States – Rice et al. Disability and Health Journal. July 2010.



***

The IACC is a Federal advisory committee that was created by Congress in an effort to accelerate progress in ASD research and services. The IACC works to improve coordination and communication across the Federal government and work in partnership with the autism community. The Committee is composed of officials from many different Federal agencies involved in autism research and services, as well as people with ASD, parents, advocates, and other members of the autism community. The documents and recommendations produced by the IACC reflect the views of the Committee as an independent advisory body and the expertise of the members of the Committee, but do not represent the views, official statements, policies or positions of the Federal government.  For more information on the IACC, please visit: www.iacc.hhs.gov.