Washington D.C., May 8: The prime time for brain development in a child's life is the first year, where the infant spends most of the time asleep. It is the time when neural connections form and sensory memories are encoded.
However, when sleep is disrupted, as occurs more often among children with autism, brain development may be affected, too.
New research led by the University of Washington finds that sleep problems in a baby's first 12 months may not only precede an autism diagnosis but also may be associated with altered growth trajectory in a key part of the brain, the hippocampus.
The study, which was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers report that in a sample of more than 400 taken of 6- to 12-month-old infants, those who were later diagnosed with autism were more likely to have had difficulty falling asleep.
It also states that this sleep difficulty was associated with altered growth trajectories in the hippocampus.
"The hippocampus is critical for learning and memory, and changes in the size of the hippocampus have been associated with poor sleep in adults and older children.
As many as 80 per cent of the children with autism spectrum disorder have sleep problems," said Annette Estes, director of the UW Autism Center and senior author of the study.
"In our clinical experience, parents have a lot of concerns about their children's sleep, and in our work on early autism intervention, we observed that sleep problems were holding children and families back," added Estes, who is also a UW professor of speech and hearing sciences.
"It could be that altered sleep is part-and-parcel of autism for some children. One clue is that behavioural interventions to improve sleep don't work for all children with autism, even when their parents are doing everything just right. This suggests that there may be a biological component to sleep problems for some children with autism," said Estes.
To consider links among sleep, brain development, and autism, researchers at the IBIS Network looked at MRI scans of 432 infants, surveyed parents about sleep patterns, and measured cognitive functioning using a standardized assessment.
At the outset of the study, infants were classified according to their risk for developing autism: Those who were at higher risk of developing autism -- about two-thirds of the study sample -- had an older sibling who had already been diagnosed.
Infant siblings of children with autism have a 20 per cent chance of developing autism spectrum disorder -- a much higher risk than children in the general population.
In the current study, 127 of the 432 infants were identified as "low risk" at the time the MRI scans were taken because they had no family history of autism.
They later evaluated all the participants at 24 months of age to determine whether they had developed autism. Of the roughly 300 children originally considered "high familial risk," 71 were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at that age.
Problems with sleep were more common among the infants later diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, as were larger hippocampi. No other subcortical brain structures were affected, including the amygdala, which is responsible for certain emotions and aspects of memory, or the thalamus, a signal transmitter from the spinal cord to the cerebral cortex.
The authors note that while parents reported more sleep difficulties among infants who developed autism compared to those who did not, the differences were very subtle and only observed when looking at group averages across hundreds of infants.
Sleep patterns in the first years of life change rapidly as infants transition from sleeping around the clock to a more adult-like sleep/wake cycle. Until further research is completed, Estes said, it is not possible to interpret challenges with sleep as an early sign of increased risk for autism.
Comments
Hindu leaders are afraid of their population going down as people following the true God.... then who will support their party? How will they gain votes....anyhow Islam is growing and growing as much People try to defame it.......can any mai ka laal can say no and prove it....
Why the BD, VHP RSS all these are not banned. They are openly making provocative speaches. Mr. Zakir Naik has never done provocative speaches. But the people like thogadia and many more are creating lot of tensions among people. This also should be equally done.
Allahumma Aizzal Islama wal Muslimeen, Wa azillal kufra wal kafireen,
Ya Allah protect the ummath of prophet Muhammad(P.B.U.H).And save us from the Kufr of the Kafiroon.
Still if we muslims don't get United they will ban Nikah,5 Times prayer, Zakath.
very good decision .. love u modi ...he supported bin laden .... he backed terrorism .. he encouraged love jihad.. bholo bharath mata ki jai... hara hara modi ... jai jai modi .
i heard that zakir naik followers are not celebrating their prophet birthday!!!!!!!
if they are not happy in their own religion then its better to ban all over the universe.. what you say guys?
After 9/11 many reverted to Islam, the same will happen now.
No evidence is produced so far, It is not possible because, he speaks very carefully the truth, that is also without hurting others.
This is their BIASED ruling, they can do anything. Now all specially Hindus will start studying ISLAM and will accept it.
In history many DECEIVERS had temporary happiness.. and they thought they have victory by using the power wrongly ... Time is running and it will end your power too and dont think this evil power will be for eternity...
We will see INSHAA ALLAH (God willing) how your evil power will collapse..
As expected, there is a hidden conspiracy behind it these people are thinking that they can prevent spreading of Islam by this type of drama, Allah need no organization to spread his deen,
ALLEGED terror activities... Still not proven and will never be proved..
\And the disbelievers planned, but Allah planned. Allah is the best of Planners\" Holy Quran: 3:54
I request entire believers not to be panic, everything is moving as per Allah's direction.
Please don't spread rumors, don't be a part of any unlawful activities, don't be panic. Please help the needy irrespective of caste and creed, give your best for the sake of Allah. Whoever does corruption on the face of earth for him a great torment of Allah is waiting. This is Allah's promise. Ya Allah protect your believing slaves from all types of tests & trials, give us patience, give us the strength to face the trials of this world, Aameen. Please make dua for entire believing brothers and sisters of this world."
Good move by government ... so many muslim brothers are saved from brainwashing NGO...
hopefully people will coordinate with government and stops funding this unlawfull NGO
don't worry Dr. Zakir naik Allah is with you. you are not first person who faced such acts of kaafir but take patience and keep trust.
May Allah subhana bless you and our prayer is with you
very sad part is without understanding anything our own religious people making fun of you and celebrating this as their victory..may Allah guide them
A very good decision from Namo.
This is one of the scripted hidden agenda of the communal govt. which was fabricated through Dhaka blast to reach this day. VHP and RSS are two giant terrorist organizations getting foreign funds to create instabilities still at large for years.
Insha Allah IRF will fight legal battle to overcome it.
Add new comment