autism spectrum disorder •

"Low Life Expectancy for Patients with Autism "

A Swedish study pointed out that patients suffering from autism have a lower life expectancy than others.

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – A new milestone study on autism spectrum disorder unveiled several disheartening and shocking facts about those who suffer from the disease. According to this new study, which has performed by a team of Swedish scientists, patients who are autistic have a lower life expectancy, suicide and epilepsy being the two most common death causes.

The study in question was carried out by the Karolinska Institute, from Sweden. Doctor Tatja Hirvikoski, the lead author of the study, said that these new findings are shocking and disheartening for those who suffer from this malady.

Moreover, the doctor and her team made a point to convey a warning to Autistica, a charity from the United Kingdom, dedicated to helping people suffering from autism spectrum disorder. Dubbed one of the largest autism NGOs in the world, Autistica was more than appalled to hear the results of this new inquiry.

The Swedish study pointed out that people suffering from autism spectrum disorder live 16 years less than people who do not suffer from this disease. Furthermore, as the new study indicates, patients with autism frequently have more than one associated conditions.

According to the recent survey, more than once percent of UK’s population is suffering from autism. This means that approximately 700.000 people from the UK are in dire need of care since the disease impedes one’s ability to communicate or share thoughts with others.

Moreover, the study has also pointed out that the life expectancy of those who suffer from autism is very small. Doctor Hirvikoski reported that the average age of death for those suffering from autism is 39 years old and that people who suffer from this condition tend to die 16 to 30 years earlier than most people.

It would seem that the two leading causes of death among autistic patients are epilepsy and suicide. Presently, the science community is quite oblivious when it comes to establishing a direct connection between epilepsy and autism.

To this extent, Autistica, the charity, plans on raising approximately 10 million pounds over the next five years in order to conduct in-depth research on epilepsy and autism.

Quoting the same study, it would seem that less than 15 percent of autistic patients, who don’t suffer from mental disabilities, find employment. The same study pointed out that more than 25 percent of patients are either unable or unwilling to share even a single word.

Moreover, it would seem that neither the patients suffering from the milder forms of autism are not spared. The Swedish study pointed out that patients who did not have any mental disabilities die 12 years earlier than other, heart disease and suicide being quoted as prime factors.

Jon Spiers, the head of Autistica declared in a press interview that the matters uncovered by the Swedish study are shocking, to say the least and that more research is needed in order to see how we can help people suffering from this condition.

Photo credits:flickr

"Scientists Used Macaques to Study the Effects of ASD"

The genetically engineered primates received multiple copies of the MECP2 gene.

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – Recently, a team of scientists managed to genetically engineer several autistic macaques. The scientists used macaques to study the effects of ASD or autistic spectrum disorder, a mental disorder that is still quite a mystery.

Despite the fact that in the last couple of decades we’ve managed to discover new aspects of the human mind, certain mental diseases, such as autism spectrum disorder remain enveloped in a shroud of mystery. Many scientists believe that the disorder itself has a strong genetical component and that the disorder can be passed down from mother to infant.

A new study performed by a team of scientists from Shanghai’s Institute of Neuroscience proved that the disease has its roots in a genetic marker. Moreover, by isolating and tampering with the levels of this gene, we can gain an insight on how to develop new ASD management therapies or even a cure.

The team of scientists, led by Zilong Qiu, managed to create autistic primates in test tubes. The genetically engineered macaques were born by surrogate mothers. In order to study the effects of the disease, the team imbued each test tube primate with copies of the MECP2 gene, which is thought to play a key role in ASD.

After the primates came to age, they’ve begun to exhibit all the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. All of them display, to a degree, repetitive gestures and had poor social skills. The team observed that the autistic primates were less inclined to engage in social activities with other members of the macaque community. Moreover, all of them had anxiety issues, when it came to social interaction.

While most consider that ASD is also associated with cognitive impairment, it would seem that in certain cases, individuals suffering from this disease develop amazing skills in the area of mathematics or music.

Zilong Qiu, the author of the study, said that the macaque’s condition will help us better understand the severity and the origin of this disease.

Presently, the team is conducting brain scans of the genetically engineered primates in order to see what brain segments are affected by ASD. Qiu also declared that if the study is successful in identifying a faulty wiring in the brain, then there’s hope of curing ASD through the use of gene editing tools.

Scientists used macaques to study the effects of ASD, a disease which still remains a mystery. Moreover, the team also discovered that several macaque gave birth to infants suffering from the same brain disorder.

Photo credits:www.pixabay.com

Categories