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
Hats off to the above teamwork
A wonderful selfless act. He must have been a compassionate person.
Oh, my heart breaks for the family. My family also had to make the decision to donate my niece's organs. For me personally it was one of the most healing things knowing she had saved so many lives but I do often wonder how/where these people are.
Selflessness - the stuff of real heroes.
As a recipient of a heart just over two years ago I am eternally grateful for those who make this decision. I can continue to be a son, a husband, and a father to two small children.
My brother passed unexpectedly on 24th February 2015, he too donated his organs. His selfless act has helped us, as a family to know he breaths through another & has assisted at least four other recipients & their families last year. We would love to reach out to the recipients on his 1yr memorial but understand the sensitivity for some and respect their privacy but it's hard.... I know it would mean the world to mum & dad to meet them & would greatly assist in their healing. I wish there was a 'tick box' option to opt in for communication between families.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends on his passing. Organ donation is a befitting gesture to honour this young man. With much love to you all at his difficult time.
Feel sorry for the man and his family...life is unpredictable.
RIP!!! You r a real hero buddy...
these idiots will construct green corridors with lot of potholes. do practical and proper work rather than bs talk
Why drones flying at low heights in some Specific colour can not be used for Organ Transportation?
At times the Mangalore Police makes us proud and kudos to the team that coordinated with the transplant team of one and all.
Very good. Appreciated the good work Police department
he has shown that humanity does still exist in India. well done,. May Almighty Bless him , this deceased Son as well as the patients who received the organs. Kudos ot medical fraternity along with police who made this happen
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