Kelly Andrus plays with her son Bradley in his classroom at Children's Choice Learning Centers Inc., in Lewisville, Texas. Bradley, who turns three in a couple of weeks, was diagnosed a year ago with mild autism. Associated Press Enlarge photo Research into the development patterns of children with autism disorders has documented a disturbing truth that likely comes as no surprise to parents trying to nurture autistic kids into adulthood. A study by Washington University in St. Louis validates what many families have witnessed firsthand that the road to maturation is difficult and often disheartening. The study shows 35 percent of children with autism-related disorders who finish high school do not go forward with additional education or make it into the workforce. As one researcher put it, "They were just not involved in anything." It is an alarmingly large number, especially by comparison. The rate of young adults with a severe speech impairment who are not working or in school is 7 percent. For older kids with documented learning disabilities, it is 3 percent. Among those with severe mental disabilities, it is 26 percent. Why those with autism-spectrum disorders encounter roadblocks in greater proportion than others is not entirely apparent. … Continue reading →

BRIDGETON A study done by Childrens Specialized Hospital found high rates of autism in Bridgeton and five other New Jersey communities. The hospital looked at schools in Newark, Plainfield, Elizabeth, Trenton, New Brunswick and Bridgeton and asked teachers to screen for autism in preschools and day care centers. The New Jersey Governors Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism funded the study, which was released Wednesday. Autism, a neurodevelopment disorder, impaires social interaction and communication. Researchers looked at an initial 1,000 children in the six locations. The study found 31 children, which makes up 3 percent of the sample, to be on the autism spectrum. According to an article quoted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, studies show the national average to be 1 percent. We found that unless we go out into underserved communities, we are going to be missing many children who have autism, said Dr. Yvette Janvier, lead researcher, development/behavioral pediatrician and medical director at the Toms River Childrens Specialized Hospital. This is the first study to look at using teachers in preschools and day care centers to screen for autism. Although parents and doctors are normally used to identify children with autism, … Continue reading →

Public release date: 16-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Jane Rubinstein jrubinstein@rubenstein.com 516-993-0708 Autism Speaks NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 15, 2012) Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, is a major sponsor and scientific participant in the 2012 International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Organized by the International Society of Autism Research, IMFAR brings together more than 1800 scientists, clinicians, students, parents and individuals with autism from 40 countries to discuss and share the latest research into autism's causes, treatments and diagnoses. The conference is being held May 20-22 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto, 123 Queen Street West, Ontario, Canada. "Autism is a global challenge," commented Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., "and this conference offers an opportunity to bring together researchers from around the world to share their findings and collaborate, which helps accelerate research on diagnosis, causes and treatments needed by families in every country." Autism Speaks' Autism Treatment Network, a collaboration of medical centers dedicated to providing families with state of the art, multidisciplinary care, will be participating in numerous presentations throughout IMFAR. These include the technology demonstration Development of a Training Video to Teach Best Practices for Delivering An … Continue reading →

May 17, 2012 WOONSOCKET For the first time, municipal ambulance crews who believe their patients are suffering a stroke can deliver them to Landmark Medical Center. Thats because Landmark was certified by the Joint Commission, the nations main accrediting body of health care organizations, as a primary stroke treatment center, the hospital announced. The state Department of Health has also added Landmark to its official list of Certified Stroke Centers, enabling Landmark to treat more residents from northern Rhode Island who have suffered a stroke or who are likely to. Because of northern Rhode Islands high elderly population, and the increased likelihood of stroke for people 65 and older, Landmarks improved capability to treat patients suffering from stroke and offer rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island is arriving at a crucial time, said Richard Charest, hospital president. The timing also dovetails with the proposed sale of Landmark to the Steward Health Care System, which continues to move through regulatory channels. A joint review of the merger by the attorney general and DOH under the Hospital Conversions Act is expected to be complete no later than July 17, and Health Director Michael Fine is expected to sign off any … Continue reading →

When regenerative medicine firm Cytomedix (OTC:CMXI) acquired biotechnology company Aldagen, the stem cell-based stroke treatment in clinical trials was the centerpiece of the all stock deal. Cytomedix is now making moves to develop other stem cell treatments from its Aldagen acquisition. Two more clinical trials will start later this year, CEO Martin Rosendale told analysts on a conference call to discuss first-quarter financial results. Rosendale wouldnt identify the indications that will be studied, and said only that they will be announced this summer: one for an arterial disease and the other a neurological condition. Cytomedixs goal is to ultimately find large pharmaceutical partners to commercialize these treatments. These additional clinical studies dont represent those kinds of partnerships. Rosendale said there are two facilities that will conduct investigator-led clinical trials. But those trials will be funded by outside sources, not by Cytomedix. The rest is here: Two stem cell therapies from Cytomedix to start trials; stroke study expands … Continue reading →

STROKE TERMS Stroke: Death of brain cells from interruption of their blood supply. Ischemic stroke: Blockage of an artery to the brain by a clot forming locally or traveling from the heart; accounts for 85 percent of strokes. Hemorrhagic stroke: Bleeding either within or on the surface of the brain, often due to the rupture of an aneurysm or dilated artery; accounts for 12 percent of strokes. Transient ischemic attack: Temporary reduction of blood flow to an area of the brain with reversible symptoms when flow resumes; a TIA is often a forerunner of a stroke. A middle-aged man arrives by ambulance at an emergency room at a small hospital 60 miles away from Chattanooga. Abruptly, he had lost speech and movement of his right side. The ER physician diagnoses an acute stroke and notifies the Erlanger Southeast Regional Stroke Center. An air ambulance is dispatched. Lab studies are obtained in-flight to determine if subsequent procedures will be safe. Upon arrival at Erlanger, the man embarks upon a tightly coordinated path of precise diagnosis and treatment. A series of imaging procedures shows a large area of brain at risk of death. An angiogram displays a clot within his skull, blocking … Continue reading →