Study of ^(99m)Tc-TRODAT-1 Imaging on Human Brain with Children Autism by Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography

Objective:Evaluate the application values of 99mTc-2 β[N, N′-bis(2-mercaptoethy1)ethylenediamino]methyl, 3β-(4-chlorophenyl)tropane(TRODAT-1) dopamine transporter (DAT) SPECT imaging in children autism, and offer the academic foundation to etiology, mechanism and clinical therapy of autism. Methods:Ten autistic children and ten healthy controls were examined with 99mTc-TRODAT-1 DAT SPECT imaging. Striatal specific uptake of 99mTc-TRODAT-1 was calculated with region of interest analysis according to the ratios between striatum and cerebellum[(STR-BKG)/BKG]. Results:There was no difference in semiquantitative dopamine transporter between bilateral striatum in autistic children (P=0.562) and in normal controls (P=0.573); dopamine transporter in brain of patients with autism increased more significantly than that in normal controls (P=0.017).Conclusion:Dopaminergic nervous system is dysfunction in human brain with children autism, and DAT 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT imaging on human brain will help the imaging diagnosis of children autism.

Research on the Effect of Dance Therapy on Improving Social Communication Ability of Children with Autism

Research motivation:Through the 12 weeks dance therapy intervention for children with autism,the purpose is to explore the intervention model of dance therapy for children with autism and the changes in motor ability,social ability,and communication ability of children with autism after dance therapy intervention.The results of the research are expected to expand the intervention mode of dance therapy in my country and provide practical reference for rehabilitation intervention of children with autism.Research methods:24 autistic boys aged 6 to 12 with mild to moderate symptoms were recruited and screened through the Internet as the subjects of this study.We randomly divided them into experimental group(N=12)and control group(N=12).All children with autism have an autism diagnosis certificate issued by Children’s Hospital or a tertiary hospital,excluding other mental diseases(such as epilepsy,major physical disability,mental illness,no history of drugs and other interventions,etc.).We used the paired sample t-test to compare the score difference between the dance treatment group and the control group before and after the two groups,and used the observation method to record the basic communication behavior and the number of active communication behaviors in the experimental group during the intervention process.All data analysis is used in SPSS 20.0.Research results:After 12 weeks of dance therapy intervention,there were statistically significant differences in the gross movement,balance,and coordination abilities of the children in the experimental group compared with those before the intervention(p<0.01).There was no significant difference between the children in the control group(p>0.05).After 12 weeks of dance therapy intervention,there were statistically significant differences in the scores of the social response scale for children with autism in the experimental group(p<0.05).There was no significant change in the scores of each item of the SRS scale before and after intervention in the control group and the dance treatment group(p>0.05).

Efficacy of Children Neuropsychological and Behavioral Scale in Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders through a Combination of Developmental Surveillance

Objective This study aimed to explore the clinical value of Children Neuropsychological and Behavioral Scale-Revision 2016(CNBS-R2016)for Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD)screening in the presence of developmental surveillance.Methods All participants were evaluated by the CNBS-R2016 and Gesell Developmental Schedules(GDS).Spearman’s correlation coefficients and Kappa values were obtained.Taking GDS as a reference assessment,the performance of the CNBS-R2016 for detecting the developmental delays of children with ASD was analyzed with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.The efficacy of the CNBS-R2016 to screen for ASD was explored by comparing Communication Warning Behavior with Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule,Second Edition(ADOS-2).Results In total,150 children aged 12–42 months with ASD were enrolled.The developmental quotients of the CNBS-R2016 were correlated with those of the GDS(r=0.62–0.94).The CNBS-R2016 and GDS had good diagnostic agreement for developmental delays(Kappa=0.73–0.89),except for Fine Motor.There was a significant difference between the proportions of Fine Motor,delays detected by the CNBS-R2016 and GDS(86.0%vs.77.3%).With GDS as a standard,the areas under the ROC curves of the CNBS-R2016 were above 0.95 for all the domains except Fine Motor,which was 0.70.In addition,the positive rate of ASD was 100.0%and 93.5%when the cut-off points of 7 and 12 in the Communication Warning Behavior subscale were used,respectively.Conclusion The CNBS-R2016 performed well in developmental assessment and screening for children with ASD,especially by Communication Warning Behaviors subscale.Therefore,the CNBS-R2016 is worthy of clinical application in children with ASD in China.

Research on the Intervention of Visual Cue Strategy on Self-Care Ability of Children with Autism

The formation of self-care ability is the first step for children with autism to enter the society,and it is also a prerequisite and guarantee for their independent survival.This study aimed to explore the impact of visual cue strategies on the self-care ability of children with autism.Based on the ABA design of a single case study,this research conducted a four-month intervention on a seven-year-old child with autism via visual cue strategy as independent variables and sock-wearing skills as dependent variables,in order to explore the effect of visual cue strategy on self-care ability of children with autism.It turned out that visual cue strategy exerts a positive immediate sustained effect and social validity on the self-care ability of children with autism.Lastly,suggestions were provided for future related research based on the research process,results,and limitations.

Role of gastrointestinal health in managing children with autism spectrum disorder

Children with autism spectrum disorders(ASD)or autism are more prone to gastrointestinal(GI)disorders than the general population.These disorders can significantly affect their health,learning,and development due to various factors such as genetics,environment,and behavior.The causes of GI disorders in children with ASD can include gut dysbiosis,immune dysfunction,food sensitivities,digestive enzyme deficiencies,and sensory processing differences.Many studies suggest that numerous children with ASD experience GI problems,and effective management is crucial.Diagnosing autism is typically done through genetic,neurological,functional,and behavioral assessments and observations,while GI tests are not consistently reliable.Some GI tests may increase the risk of developing ASD or exacerbating symptoms.Addressing GI issues in individuals with ASD can improve their overall well-being,leading to better behavior,cognitive function,and educational abilities.Proper management can improve digestion,nutrient absorption,and appetite by relieving physical discomfort and pain.Alleviating GI symptoms can improve sleep patterns,increase energy levels,and contribute to a general sense of well-being,ultimately leading to a better quality of life for the individual and improved family dynamics.The primary goal of GI interventions is to improve nutritional status,reduce symptom severity,promote a balanced mood,and increase patient independence.

Exploring the Lives of Mothers Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Japan

Background: Examining the lives that mothers experience and build will allow us to deepen our understanding of children with ASD and their mothers and facilitate developing support methods. The study aimed to examine the lives of mothers raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and investigate their sources of support. Method: We conducted a qualitative inductive study using semi-structured interviews to identify characteristics of the lives that mothers have created. Results: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 mothers having children with ASD. The analysis comprised three stages of coding and yielded eight categories. The lives of these mothers contained three themes: preoccupation with parenting children with ASD and their siblings;evolving mother;and using social resources. Mothers engaged in “assessing the characteristics, growth, and changes in the child with ASD”, had a “preoccupation with parenting children with ASD”, and were “thinking about the future of the child with ASD”, and “having goals and plans for parenting” while having “consideration toward the child’s siblings”. During this process, mothers experienced “changes in perspective or approach” and created lifestyles while “receiving help from people around them” and engaged in the “use of social resources”. Conclusions: To avoid becoming preoccupied with parenting and being burdened by their lifestyle, mothers require social support to monitor their perceptions. Furthermore, the utilization of social resources requires the supporting individuals to understand the characteristics of children with ASD, provide appropriate information, and assist in decision-making.

Abnormal Linguistic Lateralization and Sensory Processing in High Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Conditions

Brain lateralization for language in high-functioning children with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and sensory processing were explored as a part of a neuropsychological profile. A dichotic listening test and the Luria laterality subtest were administered to all participants (including controls) and the sensory profile test only to the ASC group. The usual right ear advantage was not exhibited by children with ASC and anomalies in auditory filtering were found. The sensory profile of 60% of the sample was characterized by hypersensitivity to auditory stimuli, hyposensitivity to vestibular information, high emotional reactions to sensory experiences, poor psychosocial coping strategies, high distractibility and inability to interpret body and facial language. Hyper-responsiveness to environmental auditory stimuli was significantly associated with impaired attention. Similarly, non-adaptive responses to sensory quotidian experiences were strongly connected to poor coping strategies. Our results, although preliminary, contribute to emphasizing the importance of including additional assessment methods such as the dichotic listening and the sensory profile questionnaire in the evaluation of cognitive profile in high-functioning children with ASC to plan an individualized psycho-educative intervention.

Dimensional Characteristics of Children and Adolescents with Mood Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Objective: We sought to identify clinical discriminators between predominantly mood disordered and predominantly autism spectrum disordered research subjects that may reflect phenotypic state and treatment response characteristics. Method: Participants were 26 boys and 4 girls aged 2 to 18 years (Mean Age = 7.70). Subjects with DSM-IV diagnoses of Major depression (N = 2), Bipolar Disorder (N = 4) and Mood Disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) (N = 11) represented the mood disorder group (MD) (N = 17, Mean Age = 8.2) and those with diagnoses of Autistic Disorder (N = 1), Asperger’s Disorder (7) or Pervasive Developmental Disorder (NOS) (N = 3) comprised the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) group (N = 9, Mean Age = 6.8). Primary outcome measurements were continuous actigraphic measurements collected over one to three week periods. Secondary outcomes included personality and observational measurements. Personality characteristics reflected significant cross-group impairments related to self-control and self-discipline and differed relative to intellectual measures. Observational measurements reflected greater general impairments among the ASD group. Results: Predominantly mood disordered children demonstrated greater impairments related to sleep (P = 0.000) and sleep onset latency (P = 0.000) and were more active than ASD children during evening periods (P = 0.000). ASD children had lower verbal functioning and greater deviations from the norm on measures of cognitive development (P = 0.003) and psychosis (P = 0.047). Conclusions: Sleep disturbances, evening activity levels and phase delayed sleep appear to differentiate predominant mood and autism spectrum disordered children suggesting future areas for further exploration of neurological and phenotypic treatment response characteristics.

Viruses and autism: A Bi-mutual cause and effect

Autism spectrum disorder(ASD)is a group of heterogeneous,multi-factorial,neurodevelopmental disorders resulting from genetic and environmental factors interplay.Infection is a significant trigger of autism,especially during the critical developmental period.There is a strong interplay between the viral infection as a trigger and a result of ASD.We aim to highlight the mutual relationship between autism and viruses.We performed a thorough literature review and included 158 research in this review.Most of the literature agreed on the possible effects of the viral infection during the critical period of development on the risk of developing autism,especially for specific viral infections such as Rubella,Cytomegalovirus,Herpes Simplex virus,Varicella Zoster Virus,Influenza virus,Zika virus,and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.Viral infection directly infects the brain,triggers immune activation,induces epigenetic changes,and raises the risks of having a child with autism.At the same time,there is some evidence of increased risk of infection,including viral infections in children with autism,due to lots of factors.There is an increased risk of developing autism with a specific viral infection during the early developmental period and an increased risk of viral infections in children with autism.In addition,children with autism are at increased risk of infection,including viruses.Every effort should be made to prevent maternal and early-life infections and reduce the risk of autism.Immune modulation of children with autism should be considered to reduce the risk of infection.

汉语高功能自闭症儿童词汇语义加工中的空间象似效应——兼与图片知觉加工的比较

研究考察了5~7岁汉语高功能自闭症儿童词汇语义加工中空间经验的激活情况。实验选取了隐含典型方位特征的物体,要求儿童将写有物体名称的词卡和画有物体图形的图卡放置在垂直空间的上方或下方。结果显示,在摆放词卡时,正常发展儿童表现出空间象似效应,倾向于将词卡放在与隐含方位信息一致的位置,而高功能自闭症儿童则随机放置词卡;在摆放图卡时,虽然两组儿童的表现均好于摆放词卡,但是高功能自闭症儿童表现出的空间象似效应仍差于正常发展儿童。研究结果表明高功能自闭症儿童在符号加工和知觉加工中利用空间经验的能力均存在缺陷。

北京市3岁~17岁孤独症住院患者非计划再入院现状及影响因素研究

目的分析北京市3岁~17岁孤独症住院患者非计划再入院现状,探讨影响因素,为精神类疾病医疗质量提升提供参考。方法收集北京市市级医院2022年1月1日-12月31日3岁~17岁孤独症住院患者资料,分析31天非计划再入院和年内非计划再入院情况。采用单因素分析和Logistic回归分析探讨非计划再入院影响因素。结果共纳入341名孤独症患者,31天非计划再入院率和年内非计划再入院率分别为7.0%、18.8%。年龄是3岁~17岁孤独症患者31天非计划再入院影响因素,首次住院天数是患者31天非计划再入院和年内非计划再入院影响因素。结论儿童和青少年孤独症患者的非计划再入院率较低,低龄儿童31天非计划再入院率较高,首次住院时间较长患者非计划再入院率较高。应探索降低孤独症患者非计划再入院率的措施,提高孤独症患者医疗服务质量。

家庭尊严干预对自闭症患儿主要照顾者照顾能力的影响

目的:探讨家庭尊严干预对自闭症患儿主要照顾者的影响,为提高照顾者的照顾水平提供参考价值。方法:选取200例自闭症患儿主要照顾者作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法分为对照组与观察组各100例,对照组采用常规的干预措施,观察组在对照组的基础上采用家庭尊严干预措施,比较两组照顾者照顾负担、创伤后成长及照顾者照顾能力情况。结果:实施家庭尊严干预后,观察组照顾者的个人负担得分为(24.35±5.51)分、责任负担得分为(11.231±3.13)分均低于对照组,观察组照顾者的创伤后成长得分为(75.78±15.68)分高于对照组的(60.31±12.52)分(P<0.05)。观察组照顾者的照顾能力得分为(14.38±0.84)分低于对照组的(17.29±0.75)分(P<0.05)。结论:家庭尊严干预能够降低自闭症患儿主要照顾者的照顾负担水平,提高照顾者的创伤后成长水平及照顾能力。

学龄前孤独症儿童母亲家庭坚韧性在心理弹性与疾病获益感间的中介效应

目的:分析家庭坚韧性在学龄前孤独症儿童母亲心理弹性和疾病获益感间的中介效应,为制订学龄前孤独症儿童家庭干预策略提供参考。方法:采用便利抽样法,选取2022年4月至2023年4月在莆田市4所机构进行干预治疗的205名学龄前孤独症儿童母亲为研究对象。使用疾病获益感量表、心理弹性量表、家庭坚韧性量表对其进行调查。采用AMOS 23.0软件构建结构方程模型,进行中介效应分析。结果:205名孤独症儿童母亲疾病获益感总分为(65.27±15.41)分,心理弹性总分为(54.89±17.04)分,家庭坚韧性总分为(34.98±6.89)分,三者均呈正相关(P<0.001)。家庭坚韧性在心理弹性与疾病获益感间发挥中介作用,中介效应值为0.230,中介效应占总效应的35.44%。结论:家庭坚韧性在孤独症儿童母亲心理弹性与疾病获益感间起部分中介作用。医护人员应采取积极措施提高母亲的心理弹性和家庭坚韧性,以提高其疾病获益感水平。

犬尿氨酸通路在儿童神经发育障碍性疾病中的研究进展

色氨酸在体内主要通过犬尿氨酸通路(KP)代谢为血清素、褪黑素和烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸等生物活性物质,与多种器官和细胞的生理功能密切相关。KP中重要酶活性和代谢物水平的改变通过影响受体和调节细胞信号传导的方式影响儿童脑发育。该研究主要围绕KP及其代谢产物在儿童神经发育中的作用进行综述,希望为儿童神经发育障碍性疾病的协助诊断和治疗干预提供新的切入点。

功能性行为评估对孤独症儿童问题行为的个案干预研究——Tau-U指标的应用

孤独症儿童问题行为相当普遍,其中自伤性行为、攻击性行为和自我刺激行为发生频率高,其破坏性和危险性令人担忧。研究通过功能性行为评估,分析学前(2-5岁)孤独症儿童三种典型问题行为背后的功能原因,设计相应的干预方案,采用单一被试A-B-A倒返实验设计对问题行为进行干预。采用单一被试研究数据分析指标Tau-U进行分析,数据显示,经过4周干预,三名学前孤独症儿童问题行为的发生频率显著降低,干预有效。研究表明应用功能性行为评估诊断孤独症儿童问题行为,据此实施干预可有效减少问题行为,促进其适应性行为建立。

儿童孤独症谱系障碍药物治疗研究进展

孤独症谱系障碍治疗多以行为干预等康复手段为主,尚无针对此疾病的特效药物。但随着研究的不断深入,一些药物已证实可缓解疾病症状或有望成为治疗药物。针对近年来国内外儿童孤独症药物治疗研究进展进行系统综述。

听力正常孤独症谱系障碍儿童的听性脑干反应波形特征分析

目的 探究听力正常孤独症谱系障碍(autism spectrum disorder,ASD)儿童的听性脑干反应(ABR)特征及各波潜伏期和波间期与ASD严重程度分级的关系。方法 (1)将55例(110耳)听力正常ASD儿童和月龄、性别相匹配的55例(110耳)典型发育(typical development,TD)儿童,按月龄分为≤24月龄(22耳)、25~36月龄(40耳)、37~48月龄(28耳)及>48月龄(20耳)四个亚组。比较听力正常ASD儿童与TD儿童的ABR潜伏期和波间期是否存在差异。(2)根据第五版精神障碍诊断与统计手册(DSM-V)将ASD儿童按照严重程度分级,探究听力正常ASD儿童ABR各波潜伏期和波间期与其严重程度分级是否相关。结果 (1)≤24月龄时,ASD与TD儿童ABR各波潜伏期及波间期差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);(2)25~36月龄时,与TD儿童相比,听力正常ASD儿童波Ⅲ潜伏期及Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期显著延长;37~48月龄时波Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期及Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅲ-Ⅴ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期显著延长;>48月龄时波Ⅴ潜伏期及Ⅲ-Ⅴ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期显著延长(P<0.05);(3)ASD严重程度分级越高,ASD儿童波Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期及Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅲ-Ⅴ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期越长(P<0.05)。结论 自25月龄起听力正常ASD儿童与TD儿童的听觉脑干通路发育水平便显现差异,听力正常ASD儿童的听觉脑干发育水平显著落后于同龄TD儿童。听力正常ASD儿童的ABR波潜伏期和波间期与其严重程度分级相关。

海豚屋数字仿生训练系统对孤独症谱系障碍儿童及其父亲的影响

目的探讨海豚屋数字仿生训练系统对孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)儿童的核心症状改善情况及其父亲的影响。方法采用前瞻性临床随机对照研究法,将100例ASD儿童及其父亲按照随机数字表法分为对照组和试验组,每组50例。对照组采取应用行为分析法(ABA)干预,试验组在ABA基础上联合使用父亲共同参与式海豚屋数字仿生训练系统干预。采用ABC、CARS、PSI-SF、SDS、SAS评估干预前后ASD儿童的核心症状及其父亲的亲职压力和焦虑、抑郁水平。结果干预后试验组ASD儿童CARS总分,ABC感觉、社交、语言维度和总分得分均低于对照组(P<0.05)。干预后试验组父亲的PSI-SF困难儿童维度得分和总分低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论在ABA干预的基础上联合海豚屋数字仿生训练系统可改善ASD儿童的核心症状,减轻父亲的亲职压力。

家长医患沟通效能对孤独症谱系障碍儿童康复效果的影响

目的从家长医患沟通效能的视角,探究针对孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)儿童康复效果的潜在影响因素及其复杂作用路径,为提升ASD儿童的康复服务质量提供依据。方法采用面对面匿名问卷调查的方式,收集甘肃省儿童康复定点机构ASD儿童家长的一般信息、家长医患沟通效能、家长治疗依从性、儿童康复效果等相关资料,应用结构方程模型探索家长医患沟通效能对ASD儿童康复效果的影响机制。结果共收集甘肃省13个市/州37家儿童康复机构的ASD儿童家长519名,家长医患沟通效能、医患关系、家长治疗依从性和ASD儿童康复效果两两之间均呈正相关(P<0.05);结构方程模型分析结果为:家长医患沟通效能对ASD儿童康复效果的标准化直接效应值为0.151(P=0.023),医患关系、家长治疗依从性的中介效应值分别为0.160(P=0.001)、0.111(P=0.001),医患关系和家长治疗依从性的链式中介效应值为0.035(P=0.001),“家长医患沟通效能→医患关系→ASD儿童康复效果”占总中介效应的比例最高,为52.29%。结论家长医患沟通效能可直接及间接通过医患关系和家长治疗依从性对ASD儿童康复效果发挥积极作用。康复机构应注重家长医患沟通效能的培养,加强高质量及人性化的康复服务。

我国孤独症儿童家庭需求研究综述

为全面了解孤独症儿童家庭需求研究领域动态,对2000—2023年中国知网数据库中的相关文献进行整理分析,发现孤独症儿童家庭需求主要集中在获取专业知识、经济扶持、心理援助、教育康复、社会服务及家庭特殊需求六个方面。目前我国孤独症儿童家庭需求研究存在研究范畴零散、研究对象不全面、研究方法单一、缺乏对孤独症儿童家庭需求的系统科学论述等问题。未来应注重丰富研究内容,改进研究方法,扩充研究对象,开展全面且深入的系统研究。