neurodevelopmental disorders

Rare genetic disorder gives clues to autism, epilepsy, mental retardation

harminka — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:17:59 -0500

A rare genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is yielding insight into a possible cause of some neurodevelopmental disorders: structural abnormalities in neurons, or brain cells.

Benefits of closing plants on early childhood neurodevelopment

harminka — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:18:58 -0500

Closing coal-fired power plants can have a direct, positive impact on children's cognitive development and health according to a study released by the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

The first autism disease genes

harminka — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:47:49 -0500

The autistic disorder, a neurodevelopmental disease first described in 1943, represents a challenge for treatment and a puzzle for research. Alongside Asperger syndrome, a milder form of the disorder, autism is classified in the continuum of various Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), all of which are characterized by deficits in language, social interaction, and a strangely restricted and repetitive behaviour (stereotypy).

The Rett gene, rogue activator

harminka — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:00:10 -0500

In 1999, when Dr. Huda Zoghbi and her Baylor College of Medicine colleagues identified a mutation of the gene MeCP2 as the culprit in Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder, the discovery was only the prelude to understanding a symphony of neurological missteps.

Jumping gene may contribute to premature aging syndrome

harminka — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:39:26 -0500

Scientists have identified a fusion protein that may contribute to Cockayne syndrome, a devastating disease characterized by developmental defects, neurodegeneration, severe wasting, and premature aging. The study is described in an article published March 21 in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

Prenatal exposure to maternal antibodies linked to autistic behaviors in offspring

harminka — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:55:02 -0600

New research from the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute shows that an interaction between fetal brain cells and maternal antibodies could be linked with the repetitive behavior — also called stereotypies — that is characteristic of autism.

Lilly Stalling on Zyprexa Payouts

DannyHaszard — Tue, 08 May 2007 03:26:57 -0500

A big hurdle with the Zyprexa issue is Lilly's credibility over their continuous PR on how they are going to pay out $1.2 billion in damages.

New protein implicated in autism

harminka — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 03:07:54 -0500

Autism is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severely impaired social, communicative, and behavioral functions. It is thought that genetic make-up predisposes an individual to autism, and several genes have been associated with the development of autism.