Autism Vox

June 23rd, 2008

Rapamycin Reverses Learning and Memory Deficits in Mice

A letter abstract in the June 22nd Nature Medicine is entitled Reversal of learning deficits in a Tsc2+/- mouse model of tuberous sclerosis. Tuberous sclerosis is a rare genetic disease that affects the central nervous system and causes benign tumors to grow on the brain, kidneys, heart, eyes, lungs, and skin. Those with TSC […]

By Kristina Chew, PhD -- 13 comments

May 28th, 2008

A Pill for the Placebo Effect

Jennifer Buettner, who has three young children, has created a new company called Efficacy Brands which makes placebos for children. The company will see cherry-flavored dextrose tablets (”Obecalp”—-guess what word that is, spelled backwards?); $5.95 for a bottle of 50. Buettner came up with the idea while taking care of a niece with a “raging […]

By Kristina Chew, PhD -- 21 comments

April 13th, 2008

Last Week’s Top Posts

The highpoint of the week for us was Thursday night’s reading in conjunction with the Artistic Spectrum exhibit—–and Charlie also had a lot of things to say himself.

Did Your Child Reach Her or His Gross Motor Milestones?
Some parents note that their children had gross motor delays (Charlie did), while others said their child did not. […]

By Kristina Chew, PhD -- 0 comments

March 26th, 2008

Is Medication Use in Autistic Children Increasing?

A study in the March 2008 volume of Pediatrics on psychotropic medication use among Medicaid-enrolled children with autism spectrum disorders noted that there is “ongoing debate” about the uses of psychotropic medications. Only Risperidone, an atypical neuroleptic, has received FDA approval to treat autistic children for aggression and irritability. The AAP study also noted […]

By Kristina Chew, PhD -- 23 comments