Autonomic and neuroendocrine responses to a psychosocial stressor in adults with autistic spectrum disorder

Objective of the study was to replicate in adults our previous findings of decreased heart rate and normal endocrine responses to stress in autistic children and to elucidate the discrepancy between autonomic and endocrine stress responses by including epinephrine, norepinephrine, oxytocin and vasopressin measurements. Ten autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) adults were compared to 14 healthy controls in their response to a psychosocial stressor (public speaking). ASD patients showed decreased heart rate, but normal cortisol responses, consistent with our prior findings in children. No differences in norepinephrine, epinephrine, oxytocin or vasopressin responses to stress were found. However, in contrast to previous findings in low functioning autistic children, ASD adults showed increased basal oxytocin levels, which may be related to developmental factors

Významné faktory úspešnosti drobného podnikania v živočíšnej výrobe

Zajacová, M. Important success factors of smallholding in livestock production. Bachelor’s Thesis. Brno: Mendel University, 2019. This bachelor’s thesis deals with the assessment of important success factors of small-holding in livestock production from the viewpoint of a young and beginning farmer. The thesis describes the environment for the business start-up, the form of business and a characteristic of the Bánovce nad Bebravou region as a potential region of business. The success factors bring a lot of risks with them, which are analyzed in this thesis. Risk analysis is demonstrated on a model example, assets required for the start of a business are identified, assets values are specified, threats and risks are identified and then their severity gets determined. Based on the analysis of these success factors, possible solu-tions or rather countermeasures are described for the start of a smallholding in livestock production by a starting young farmer. The outcome of this thesis will be used for risk analysis as a part of the business plan

Risperidone-Induced Weight Gain in Referred Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Is Associated with a Common Polymorphism in the 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2C Receptor Gene

Weight gain is an important adverse effect of risperidone, but predictors of significant weight gain have yet to be identified in pediatric patients. Here, we investigated differences between age- and gender-normed body mass index–standardized z scores at baseline and after 8 weeks of open-label, flexible-dose risperidone treatment (mean dose: 1.70 mg/day) in 32 youths with pervasive developmental disorder (mean age = 8.74, range = 5–16 years) in relation to −759C/T 5-hydroxytryptamine 2C receptor (HTR2C) promoter and rs1414334 HTR2C intragenic C/G alleles, along with gender, age, and risperidone dose, using repeated measures analyses of variance. Carriers of the HTR2C promoter T allele gained an average of 0.043 ± 0.017 body mass index–standardized z scores (1.84 ± 1.51 kg) versus 0.64 ± 0.35 z (3.23 ± 1.47 kg) for non–T-allele carriers (p < 0.001). Presence of the rs1414334 C allele played no significant role. Further, weight gain appeared to be associated with younger age and higher doses of risperidone. The current preliminary findings suggest that the variant T allele of the −759C/T HTR2C promoter polymorphism is protective against risperidone-induced weight gain. Younger children and those treated with higher doses of risperidone may be at higher risk for weight gain

Long-term effects of risperidone in children with autism spectrum disorders: a placebo discontinuation study.

Contains fulltext : 48687.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)OBJECTIVE: The short-term benefit of risperidone in ameliorating severe disruptive behavior in pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorders is well established; however, only one placebo-controlled, long-term study of efficacy is available. METHOD: Thirty-six children with an autism spectrum disorder (5-17 years old) accompanied by severe tantrums, aggression, or self-injurious behavior, started 8-week open-label treatment with risperidone. Responders (n = 26) continued treatment for another 16 weeks, followed by a double-blind discontinuation (n = 24; two patients discontinued treatment because of weight gain) consisting of either 3 weeks of taper and 5 weeks of placebo only or continuing use of risperidone. Relapse was defined as a significant deterioration of symptoms based on clinical judgment and a parent questionnaire. RESULTS: Risperidone was superior to placebo in preventing relapse: this occurred in 3 of 12 patients continuing on risperidone versus 8 of 12 who switched to placebo (p = .049). Weight gain, increased appetite, anxiety, and fatigue were the most frequently reported side effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates the effectiveness of risperidone during a period of several months, reducing disruptive behavior in about half of the children with autism spectrum disorders. The results provide a rationale for the continuing use of risperidone beyond 6 months, although considerable weight gain can limit the use of this agent