Research Snapshots provide concise, accurate and quick access to research findings. Intended for policymakers and practitioners including front-line workers, health professionals, educators and service providers, these compact mobilization products were pioneered by our Knowledge Translation lead, David Phipps at York University. Kids Brain Health Research Snapshots are authoritative: each one is developed in collaboration with the original researcher and published only after obtaining their approval.
Are There Subgroups Within the Newly Defined Autism Spectrum Disorder?
New criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have affected how ASD is diagnosed and treated. This has affected how discussions of ASD happen between professionals, patients and family members. The new criteria do not negate research that suggests subgroups exist within the ASD diagnosis.
Author(s): Stelios, Georgiades
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Can Biomarkers Be Counted As a Risk Factor for Cerebral Palsy After Low Oxygen Birth?
Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has been found to be helpful when infants lacked oxygen during birth. It is suggested that TH may influence how cytokines help the body manage injury.
Author(s): Jenkins, Dorothea
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Can Broccoli Sprouts Consumption During Pregnancy Protect the Developing Brain?
Overall, BrSp consumption during pregnancy and the pre-weaning period reduced the behavioral and physical deficits observed in the model of placental insufficiency, a common cause of cerebral palsy.
Author(s): Yager, Jerome
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Can Feeding Interventions Help Children With Cerebral Palsy?
Most children with cerebral palsy have feeding issues. In the short term, there is an increased risk of choking. In the long term, ongoing feeding issues can lead to children being underweight and undernourished. Finding the most effective tools to help children with CP with feeding issues will be important to their quality of life.
Author(s): Snider, Laurie
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Can Measurement of Brain Perfusion Detect the Newborns That Will Develop Brain Injury Despite Hypothermia?
Babies that develop hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) due to a lack of oxygen and/or blood around birth may be helped by having their temperature lowered. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) can be decreased by lowering body temperature through hypothermia. This may prevent brain damage in newborns with HIE.
Author(s): Wintermark, Pia
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Can Microgene Variation Influence Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder may be connected to issues in certain genes. The genes in question have been connected with intellectual disabilities and aggressive behavior. It is important to know if gene variation is a factor in ASD, as it can lead to other problems later in life.
Author(s): Scherer, Stephen
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Can Stem Cells Be Used to Help Treat Cerebral Palsy?
A combined set of strategies that include stem cell therapy may be useful to treat those with CP. Further research is needed to understand the full impact and benefits that stem cells may have on neural injuries.
Author(s): Fehlings, Michael
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Do Youths with Cerebral Palsy Use Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments
Complementary and alternative medicine services are used by some people to manage their health conditions. How often, or the reasons for using these treatments are unknown within the cerebral palsy population. This research aims to start answering these questions.
Author(s): Majnemer, Annette
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Does the Use of Glucocorticoids Impair Brain Growth in Infants?
The focus of what impairs brain development in preterm infants has not led to improved outcomes. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used in preterm births 85% of the time and 21% of the time after a preterm birth. Past research has suggested that GCs may impact brain growth in preterm infants.
Author(s): Tam, Emily
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Eye Movement and Psychometric Tasks May Help With Early Identification of FASD
Psychometric and eye movement tests allow researchers to point to specific areas of the brain that are affected in children with FASD. These measures may help with early identification of children who would benefit from a more thorough assessment.
Author(s): Paolozza, Angelina
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Eye Tracking Shows Promise as Screening Tool for Children with FASD
The developing brain is affected by prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Working memory and visuospatial deficit are major problems for those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Psychometric tests and eye movement control tasks assess cognitive function. These tests show overlapping brain regions that are damaged by PAE.
Author(s): Paolozza, Angelina
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Finding Genetic Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Current knowledge of genetic risk factors for autism spectrum disorder only account for 10% of cases. To find other genetic risk factors for ASD a broader genetic analysis must occur. This paper presents a pilot project that begins to complete a broader analysis.
Author(s): Scherer, Stephen
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How Can Doctors Better Monitor and Treat Pain Experienced by Children and Youth with CP?
1 in 4 children and youth with CP experience pain that will interfere with their everyday activities. Doctors will benefit from being aware of the common causes of pain in youth with CP such as hip dislocation and dystonia. Early diagnosis of pain can improve the lives of people with CP, but can also prevent more serious health concerns.
Author(s): Fehlings, Darcy
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How Can Ethics Help Young Adults With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities as They Change Over to the Adult Health Care System?
There is limited research on the complex issues of young adults with disabilities as they change over to the adult health care system. This paper focuses on the concerns of changing health care systems for youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Author(s): Racine, Eric
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How Can the Health Care System Better Work With Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy?
Young adults with CP often face challenges in the healthcare system. These issues all contribute to a negative experience for the patient within the healthcare sphere. Autonomy for young adults with CP needs to be respected and more research needs to be directed towards CP.
Author(s): Racine, Eric
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How Do PTs and Pediatricians Assess the Needs of Infants With Torticollis?
Family-centered assessments are needed to intervene for infants with torticollis. Thus, health care providers can address all areas in the ICF-CY that will impact treatment.
Author(s): Gagnon, Isabelle
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How Does Very Preterm Birth Affect Brain Development
New technologies are helping to discover new information on how ASD affects the brain. New knowledge will create a better understanding of ASD, which will help with diagnosis and treatment.
Author(s): Doesburg, Sam
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How Much of Cerebral Palsy is Caused by Genetics?
Ten percent of children with CP in this study had variations in their genetic code (called copy number variations). This means that there is likely a mix of both environmental (e.g. prenatal birth stress) and genetics that can cause CP and that wider use of genetic testing in children with CP should be considered.
Author(s): Scherer, Stephen
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How Reliable Is the Information on Advocacy Websites
Many advocacy websites for CP, ASD and FASD provide a variety of resources. But their information is often unsupported or unverified. The internet should be a place to supplement medical advice for parents, rather than replace it. Physicians and parents would benefit from more reliable and transparent online health information.
Author(s): DiPietro, Nina
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How to Discuss Alternative Medicine Treatments With Patients or Their Families
Complementary and/or alternative medicine (CAM) is often researched by parents who have children with CP. These treatments are not thoroughly tested but carry no significant health risks. Doctors should be aware of CAM treatments and how they can best advise their patients and parents of patients.
Author(s): Shevell, Michael
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How to Ensure People With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Have Independence in Their Medical Choices
Autonomy is important in the adult healthcare system. When a youth with cerebral palsy moves to the adult healthcare system, their autonomy may be limited but can be fostered and enriched. These are some of the factors that need to be accounted for.
Author(s): Racine, Eric
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Is Autism Spectrum Disorder Connected to Deletions in the Neurexin 3 Gene?
Current knowledge of genetic risk factors for autism spectrum disorder only account for 10% of cases. To find other genetic risk factors for ASD a broader genetic analysis must occur. This paper presents a pilot project that begins to complete a broader analysis.
Author(s): Scherer, Stephen
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Is Cerebral Palsy Affected by Other Conditions That Occur Before or During Birth?
The cause and influences of cerebral palsy (CP) are not clearly known. This research explores one of the factors that is suspected of creating severe CP. It also highlights where the next steps in research must go for practical information that will influence diagnosis and treatment.
Author(s): Shevell, Michael
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Is Responsive Early Childcare (REC) the Best Method?
REC is highly debated and its full effects are unknown. Doctors maintain that REC is not an indicator of the onset of autism or anxiety disorders. However, REC may impose high stress situations on parents who might feel anxious about their child’s care. There is no conclusive medical evidence to support the theory that a lack of REC will cause autism or anxiety in children.
Author(s): Maxwell, Bruce
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Is SHANK1 Connected to Autism Spectrum Disorder in Men?
This research shows that all SHANK genes are connected with ASD. Exploration of the SHANK1 gene and how it connects to the presentation of high functioning ASD in males is important. This research will help us understand how genes affect ASD and the connection between sex and ASD.
Author(s): Scherer, Stephen
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Knowledge Translation at NeuroDevNet
Most members of NeuroDevNet are somewhat engaged in a number of KT activities. However, these tend to be traditional activities such as conferences. There is very little public engagement. NeuroDevNet seeks to implement a KT core plan that includes services and activities that bridge research with community.
Author(s): Muhajarine, Nazeem
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Learning About Differences Between Boys and Girls With Autism Spectrum Disorder by Studying High Risk Younger Siblings
Boys are more at risk of ASD than girls, but this appears to be less true among younger siblings of children with ASD.
Author(s): Zwaigenbaum, Lonnie
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Leisure Is Important for Kids With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Participating in leisure activities is important for the healthy growth of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. It is important to ensure that they can fully participate. Participating in leisure activities may also increase the child’s quality of life.
Author(s): Dahan-Oliel, Noemi
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Playing to Move: Interactive Computer Play and Cerebral Palsy
Interactive Computer Play (ICP) probably improves lower extremity motor functions for people with CP. More research is needed to evaluate the impact of ICP on hand function and CVS fitness and to measure the amount and duration of ICP for people with varied forms of CP. This need includes studies with larger sample groups and randomized control trials.
Author(s): Fehlings, Darcy
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Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Increases the Course and Severity of Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis
Previous research on children with FASD and on animal models of FASD has shown changes in immune function. This is the first study to show the effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on the development and severity of arthritis in adulthood. These new findings provide insight on the possible mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of alcohol on immune capability.
Author(s): Weinberg, Joanne
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Problems With Changing From Pediatric to Adult Healthcare
Young adults with CP have difficulties when changing from pediatric to adult programs. Patients had anxiety, felt there was a lack of support, and a loss of services. Respecting young adult’s independence will help to make the change to adult CP care easier.
Author(s): Racine, Eric
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Separating Disability From Disease: A Constructive Approach For Health Services And Policy
Distinct disease and disability perspectives may affect thinking and actions in dealing with health needs of children and adults with chronic health conditions without our even realizing it. There are possible harms in neglecting a disability perspective for children with neurodevelopmental impairment; the authors argue the importance of explicitly and consistently considering both perspectives.
Author(s): Miller, Anton
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The Effects of Intraventricular Hemorrhage and White Matter Injury on Cerebellar Growth
The cerebellum helps control coordination, cognition and motor skills. This area grows rapidly after birth. Preterm infants are at a high risk of having a small brain size. Brain injury in preterm infants can lead to difficulties with movement, thinking and behavior.
Author(s): Tam, Emily
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The Influence of Genes on Brain Activity
By learning how genes impact the brain and body, it is possible to learn how disorders are connected. This finding led researchers to question if autism spectrum disorder and seizure conditions are independent disorders.
Author(s): Scherer, Stephen
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The Rapid Toilet Training Method for Children With Developmental Disabilities
Children with developmental disabilities can find it difficult to learn toileting skills. This can lead to stigmatization and limited socialization. It can also increase parental stress. The modified RTT workshop provides parents with the tools necessary to successfully increase their child’s toileting skills.
Author(s): Mirenda, Pat
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Topiramate May Be Effective for Treating Seizures in Newborns
Topiramate is rarely used as an add-on agent in newborns and its use in children has not yet been reported. Topiramate showed an apparent decrease in clinical seizures and a complete stop in seizures for some. There were no noticeable side effects in children receiving topiramate treatment.
Author(s): Glass, Hannah
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Wearable Wrist Monitor for Measuring Functional Hand Use in Children With Hemiplegic CP
Children with a hemiplegic limb from cerebral palsy often avoid using it in their daily life. Finding tools to measure and encourage the daily use of hemiplegic limbs may improve the lives of children with CP. The researchers designed a low cost, wearable device that monitors wrist extension to help increase use of a hemiplegic arm.
Author(s): Biddiss, Elaine
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What Are Some of the Difficulties of Becoming an Adult With Cerebral Palsy?
Children with cerebral palsy can have a hard time when they become teenagers. It is important that teenagers with CP have independence. Changing how you talk with children as they become teenagers will help to respect their independence.
Author(s): Racine, Eric
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What Are the Effects of Using Adult Neural Precursor Cells on Demyelinated Brains?
Based on cell replacement therapy done on mice, there is a great potential for adult neural precursor cells to treat brain injuries from demyelination. This may result in positive outcomes for function and resilience to brain injuries.
Author(s): Fehlings, Michael
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What Are the Ethical Issues With Screening Newborns for Prenatal Alcohol Exposure?
Screening for prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to improved quality of life for people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. There are ethical concerns with conducting these tests. The most common ethical concerns will be discussed.
Author(s): Racine, Eric
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What Can Neuroimaging Tools Tell Us About the Motor Skills of Children With ADHD?
More research needs to use neuroimaging tools to observe the results of clinical motor skill tasks. This will help to measure brain disturbances and the relationship between motor skills and neurobiological functions in children with ADHD.
Author(s): Majnemer, Annette
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What Does the research on the Brains of People with ASD Say?
New technologies are helping to discover new information on how ASD affects the brain. New knowledge will create a better understanding of ASD, which will help with diagnosis and treatment.
Author(s): Anagnostou, Evdokia
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