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
You can do nothing. Because your countdown has already started.
Any harsh step towards Hindus living in UAE may impose long-term hazard on Indian muslims... therefore think twice before taking any foolish action. Don't think RSS is just a group of robe wearing sadhus. Their reach is beyond your imagination. Jai Hind.
Terror attacks of RSS:-
1- 1999 killing of Graham Staines
2- 2002 Gujarat riots
3- 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings
4- 2007 Ajmer Dargah attack
5- 2008 Malegaon blasts
6- 2007 Mecca Masjid bombing
Saffron terror is a neologism used to describe acts of violence motivated by Hindu nationalism. The acts are allegedly perpetrated by members, or alleged members, of Hindu nationalist organizations close to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Abhinav Bharat.
RSS is an anti national, saffaron terrorist organisation. Many are convicted for bombings and killings in various part of India. They even do hate speech in public. As the majority of north indians are illiterate, they will fall for rss ideology. They will make believe these illiterate people. As the south indian people are literate, rss lacks ground support in southern states of india, where the economy is far better than rest of india.
RSS never do fund collections from any comapnies or sympathizers. Do you anything about RSS?
RSS has strong base in UAE. I know many people who are working for RSS. Govt. is aware of this fact but a little bit tolerant because RSS respects local laws, rules & traditions. No harm to UAE integrity, law & order.
RSS Businessmen already in key position in gulf countries and hindus forms a substantial poulationin gulf countries will soon take over gulf countries and arab sheiks will ride camels..Jai hind
Mr. Kamath, remember one thing that each drop of water will make big ocean....we as muslims, small percentage in India, will do our level best to see these RSS supporters to perish....
UAE Indian expatriates take initiate and teach lesson for this companies. They hire only RSS trained persons and funding who against Muslims. So, every person should take initiate and there is many alternatives. \hani hani goodidare halla\".
Spread even around Emirati who understand."
People have power if they wish by not supporting RSS and boycotting those who fund them.
NO WORRY, Truth will prevail ,and evil will perish soon.
always do good to all
Sorry NMC me going to GMC or thumbay hospital in sha Allah if needed and UAE exchange me n my relatives are opting al ansari or al razouki exchange.They also give best draft rates. Sorry by funding or approaching rss thugs u r putting axe on ur own knees in shaAllah. May Allah perish you.
my dear rss friends dont come here you will have to eat beef with other your friends because all of your friends eat beef in cafeteriai in uae
Now y do u need rich gulf countries Muslims Money!!! No objection now?
There is no POWER nor MIGHT except with ALLAH....
Whatever ways ISLAM haters try to plan... Muslims know very well they will never succeed playing with the followers of Divine religion (ISLAM).
They did lot of deceptions & FOOLED many. But their Evil deeds were caught & exposed, but Most of the people are still sleeping to their deception.
Dear RSS Cadres...
LEARN ISLAM independently not from cheddis.. Dont fall trap to RSS defined islam which is deception to make you follow your leaders to HELL if U dont recognize the REAL TRUE GOD who created U, ME and all those existed.
Good luck for you new plans, which U will be able to deceive many of your Unthinking followers. and WE Muslims know, ALLAH is most merciful... and he can spare U & allow YOU to play this GAME. But YOU will never succeed to overcome or wipe ISLAM. Its a Challenge many ISLAM haters tried and LOST. RSS your fate will be the SAME. Dont play with the Divine religion ISLAM.
Dream only, RSS cannot do anything Dubai. Dubai is Islamic country.
RSS men and Sadwi's were involved in many bomb blast in India.
RSS was the main organization behind demolition of Babri Masjid
RSS was the main organization behind every riots in India
RSS was the main organization who organized Gujrat carnage and killed around 2000 innocent Indians.
RSS was the main organization which is organized riots in Muzafferabad and killed many muslims.
RSS was the main organization is funding it's goonda outfits like Bhajrang Dal , ABVP etc.
there are many many incidents we can make here about RSS which is dead against of Minorities in India.
So UAE Indians should ban it's funding hand from this gulf countries by banning their business places.
I swear I never ever go to RSS backed banks any more. I promise.
Can you all Promise??????
RSS and ISIS are same, they both got same idea of dividing people...dangerous for human kind....both are being taken care of by Zionists.....tooooooo dangerous.....
Earned name,fame and richness from Muslim countries and funding for the anti Muslim organisations. What a ungratefulness.
All knew about these tycoons.
ZEE aflan tv channel was the first step to enter Middle east to sympathize RSS through bollywood movies, Bhajan and RSS imposed hindu culture. Now they openly enter by strong hold business and money. They will ruin some if UAE not act immediately.
Mr.Nishan,RSS member cannot do the mosad work becouse RSS member's are waring chaddi.
but one thing they are using money from gulf country to killing innocent musslims also a bank giving all commison to RSS i came to know from one of hindu friend working here in kuwait.
So it means they need Funds from Muslims countries, how pathetic, How can you take money from Tycoon's who are beneficiaries of Muslims in Gulf countries and earned their money from this community, Please try some other source!!
All middle East countries should ban those companies which funding terror organisation RSS have link with it. In Saudi Arabia, also some companies funding RSS
Islamic state may take help from RSS since IS is creation of Israel.
Alarm for UAE authority and other Middle eastern countries.
Hope Indian expatriate and Human rights will take this issue up to UAE authority before too late.
R.S.S Outfit engaged several Terrorist activities against Muslims, hence Indian Muslims considered R.S.S is Terrorist Organization. The Muslim organizations around Gulf regions should come forward and chal out plant to finish /pull out R.S.S functionaries from Gulf region. Also Organizations must take necessary steps to educate Rulers, Government authorities and Gulf countries citizens about the hidden agenda of R.S.S and its ally with ISRAEL.
Israel using RSS cadres to spy Gulf countries since Mossad cannot enter GCC. It's decision by Israel and RSS acting accordingly.
RSS go at any level to disturb Middle East peace and killing Muslims.
Middle east authorities must act before too late.
Most of RSS cadres trained by Mossad and frequently visiting Israel through other passport.
BR Shetty is a great patriot and philanthropist.
CD is unleashing a series of articles to create :awareness\ against RSS. but no publicity is bad publicity. U cnnot do any harm to mighty RSS"
Would like to see if they can do a \path sanchalan\" in cheddies and swords on Dubai streets."
Whatever you do, you cannot move an inch without the almighty's permission. HE is the best planner.
In Dubai, everything is possible.
Preaching man made religion - what does benefit.
Compare how many people accepted Hinduism V/s how many Hindus accepted Islam and Christianity.
Analyze the truth.
Exert whatever your efforts, truth will not fail, God's religion has to reign.
I heard that the commissions paid to UAE exchange goes directly RSS account. please use Alrajhi bank to send your money...
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