Asperger syndrome diagnosis after trial not justification for appeal of murder conviction in Canada

A Canadian man sentenced to life in prison following his 2008 conviction for second-degree murder has been denied a new trial based (among other things) on a subsequent diagnosis of Asperger syndrome.  Read more about it at calgaryherald.com here:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Supreme+Court+denies+appeal+shooting+Calgary+owner/7003044/story.html

Research using magnetoencephalography reading brainwaves continues aimed at identifying differences in brains of those with autism

Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP) are using magnetoencephalography (MEG) to map differences in the timing and connection of signals in the brains of subjects with autism.  It appears they have found some delay in the transmission of signals in the brains of those with autism.  By identifying differences in brain-wave activity of those with autism researchers hope to use MEG as a biomarker for diagnosing autism and possibly lead to treatment for some of the impediments of autism.  Watch and read more about MEG research as reported at nbcphiladelphia.com here:
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/health/Autism-Breakthrough-MEG-CHOP-163905396.html
Read more about MEG and CHoP at chop.edu here:
http://www.chop.edu/service/radiology/meg/
Read more about research ambitions of CHoP at chop.edu here:
http://www.chop.edu/news/brain-imaging-may-help-diagnose-autism.html

Joe Scarborough seems to think mass murderers such as the perpetrator of the Colorado theater shooting are on the autism "scale" and without support young white males from affluent neighborhoods with autism might also become mass murderers, but he doesn't want to generalize

While commenting on the recent mass shooting that occurred in Colorado during his morning television program, Joe Scarborough opined that people like shooting suspect James Holmes are “somewhere, I believe, on the autism scale,” without specifically claiming that is the case with Holmes, Scarborough further suggested “it happens more often than not.”  Scarborough went on to suggest that people with autism who do not have "a loving family and support group" (like his son with Asperger syndrome did) may become shooters in similar mass murders.  The bits of Scarborough's "appology" that made there way to online news seem to simply say that he is aware of autism and that people who took offense missed his point.

Read about an autistic journalist's demand that Joe Scarborough retract the statements he made linking autism to mass murder and watch a clip of Scarborough's comments at mediaite.com here:
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/autistic-journalist-demands-joe-scarborough-retract-comments-linking-autism-to-aurora-shooting/

Read about Joe Scarborough's response to those critical of his comments linking autism to mass murder in the follow up on mediaite.com here:
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/joe-scarborough-on-autism-remarks-perhaps-i-could-have-made-my-point-more-eloquently/

Read another report on Scarborough's response at hollywoodreporter.com here:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/joe-scarborough-apologizes-autism-james-holmes-shooting-353595

Satirical news website GlossyNews.com runs a bit of fake Asperger syndrome-related news

The satirical news website GlossyNews.com has published a fake story purporting that Florida Governor Rick Scott was secretly diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in 2008 before his 2010 election and that Scott subsequently resigned as Governor after news emerged that he kept the diagnosis secret from voters.  This all appears to be entirely baseless and arguably not very funny to people with Asperger syndrome.  Read the fake news story at glossynews.com here:
http://glossynews.com/top-stories/politicos-and-polticians/201207170213/florida-gov-rick-scott-steps-down-citing-medical-reasons/

Resting pupil size and levels of an enzyme in saliva may be indicative of autism and may tie autism to autonomic dysfunction according to a new study

New research out of the University of Kansas reports that the levels of the enzyme salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) in children known to have autism remained steady throughout the day as compared to typical children whose levels fluxtuate.  Also the pupils of children with autism measured on average to be more dilated throughout the day.  These two biomarkers associated with the autonomic nervous system may support the theory that dysfunction of the autonomic system plays a role in causing autism.  Read more about it at psychcentral.com here:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/07/14/salivary-enzyme-pupil-size-possible-biomarkers-for-autism/41574.html
Read the journal article reporting the results of the study at wiley.com here:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dev.21051/full

New research indicates uncommon mutations on the X chromosome increase susceptibility to autism

Results of research conducted at Emery University School of Medicine which identified five gene mutations on the X chromosome that appear to be linked to autism susceptibility where recently published in Human Molecular Genetics.  The results seem to support the emerging consensus that susceptibility to the development of autism spectrum disorders may be caused in large part by a multitude of different gene mutations instead of a more discrete number of more easily identifiable genetic contributors.  The greater prevalence of autism in boys than in girls has led researchers to anticipate that individual genetic triggers will likely be found on the X chromosome or the Y chromosome because boys posses only one of each while girls posses two X chromosomes and no Y chromosome.  Read more at medicalxpress.com here:
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-mutations-autism-susceptibility-gene-boys.html
Read the journal article in Human Molecular Genetics at hmg.oxfordjournals.org here:
http://hmg.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/07/10/hmg.dds267

New study results do not support the idea that particular eye movement and lying are linked

If you have ever had people conclude that you were lying to them because you averted your gaze while speaking to them, then you might want to keep a copy of a new study report on hand to use in your defense!  One of the co-authors of the study report says the research showed no support for the popular notion that eye movements can be used to detect lies.  Read a bit about the study at cbsnews.com here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57471114/eyes-and-lies-new-study-debunks-connection-of-eye-movement-and-dishonesty/
Read the report of the actual study at plosone.org here:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0040259

Autism and autistic traits appear to be more prevalent in prodigies and their families than in the general population according to a new study

A study recently reported in the journal Intelligence by researchers from Yale University and Ohio State University appears to show a link between autism and autistic traits and prodigy abilities.  Attention to detail seems to be the autistic trait most commonly shared among the prodigies studied.  The research suggests that there may be some type of modifier present in the prodigies that helps keep them from suffering some the the more debilitating traits of autism while benefiting from the more positive traits.  Read more about it at disabilityscoop.com here:
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/07/11/child-prodigies-autism-linked/15992/
Read a more in-depth report on the study at psychologytoday.com here:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beautiful-minds/201207/are-prodigies-autistic
Read the actual research report here:
http://scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Ruthsatz-Urbach-2012.pdf

Population Genetics and ARC of Cambridge University team up to study two genes associated with Asperger syndrome

The Cambridge University Autism Research Centre (ARC) and Population Genetics Technologies Limited have begun a joint venture to conduct research into the genetics of Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism.  The research aims to measure differences in the frequency of variants in two previously identified genes in subjects known to have Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism verses a control group of subjects not known to have the conditions.  The research will also aim to associate the frequency of the gene variants with measures from the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and other tools used to identify the conditions.  The research may also measure whether or not there are differences in the associations of the genes to Asperger syndrome verses classic autism.  Read more about it at expresspharmaonlin.com here:
http://www.expresspharmaonline.com/index.php/latest-updates/717-population-genetics-cambridge-university-to-study-genetic-causes-of-asperger-syndrome

If you are autistic, then rapper 50 Cent may not want you to follow him on Twitter

It is alleged that 50 Cent recently tweeted in response to a post by a follower, "yeah just saw your picture fool you look autistic," and later followed up with "I dont want no special ed kids on my time line follow some body else."  Read more about it at huffingtonpost.com here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/05/50-cent-autism-tweet_n_1651256.html

Former soldier in UK with Asperger syndrome and PTSD given minimum five years for killing landlady

Aaron Wilkinson admitted to manslaughter under diminished capacity after killing his landlady by shooting her in the face and chest with a shotgun.  Wilkinson is a veteran of Afghanistan and has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Based upon Wilkinson's mental condition the jury apparently found that he was not in control of his actions when he shot his landlady twice, then reloaded and shot her a third time.  Read more at dailymail.co.uk here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2169801/Soldier-shot-landlady-dead-like-killed-jailed-just-years-jury-hears-Afghanistan-left-mentally-scarred.html#ixzz1zvns4mxg
Read more in an earlier report at dailymail.co.uk here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2117681/Afghanistan-veteran-shot-landlady-point-blank-range-failed-kill-serving-warzone.html

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may be linked to autism according to new study

Children with family members diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders including Asperger syndrome according to results of a recent study.  Read more about it at msn.com here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48084867/ns/health-childrens_health/#.T_bw5ZG8jbI

New guidelines for GP's published by NICE to help identify autism spectrum disorders in UK adults

At the end of June the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published clinical guidelines to help healthcare professionals in the NHS better recognize, refer, diagnose and manage autism spectrum disorders in adults in the UK.
Read more about it at healthcare-today.co.uk here:
http://www.healthcare-today.co.uk/news/guidance-offered-to-gps-on-spotting-autism/22229/
Read more about it at guardian.co.uk here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/healthcare-network/2012/jun/28/nice-guidelines-improve-care-autism?newsfeed=true
Read what the National Autistic Society has to say about the NICE guidelines at autism.org.uk here:
http://www.autism.org.uk/news-and-events/news-from-the-nas/nhs-must-implement-nice-guidelines.aspx
Have a look at the NICE guidelines at nice.org.uk here:
http://www.nice.org.uk/CG142

Low birth weight may increase risk of autism, but not Asperger syndrome

Research results recently published in the Journal of Pediatrics seem to indicate that the risk of developing autism may be increased to as high at three times more likely as a result of low birth weight.  Low birth weight did not appear to increase the likelihood of developing Asperger syndrome.  Read more about it at reuters.com here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/29/us-babies-autism-idUSBRE85S1FS20120629