Washington Post

Convicted defendants left uninformed of forensic flaws found by Justice Dept. [Justice Dept., FBI forensic lab] – Spencer S. Hsu reports that even though a Justice Department task force investigation uncovered sloppy forensic work at an FBI crime lab that led to faulty results, the agency notified prosecutors but not defendants; as a result some defendants served decades in prison for crimes they did not commit, and in one case a death penalty was carried out despite evidence that might have spared the defendant’s life; the scope of the task force’s findings was made public as a result of a multi-year Freedom of Information Act fight

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People with autism have a greater than normal capacity for processing information even from rapid presentations and are better able to detect information defined as ‘critical’, according to a study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.

A study led by Eric Courchesne, PhD, director of the Autism Center of Excellence at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has, for the first time, identified in young autism patients genetic mechanisms involved in abnormal early brain development and overgrowth that occurs in the disorder.

Early disruptions in serotonin signaling in the brain may contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other “enduring effects on behavior,” Vanderbilt University researchers report. Serotonin is a brain chemical that carries signals across the synapse, or gap between nerve cells. The supply of serotonin is regulated by the serotonin transporter (SERT).

A paper published online in Nature describes the results of using bone marrow transplant (BMT) to replace faulty immune system cells in models of Rett Syndrome. The procedure arrested many severe symptoms of the childhood disorder, including abnormal breathing and movement, and significantly extended the lifespan of Rett mouse models.

Children with multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE), an inherited genetic disease, suffer from multiple growths on their bones that cause pain and disfigurement. But beyond the physical symptoms of this condition, some parents have long observed that their children with MHE also experience autism-like social problems.

Scripps Research Institute scientists and their colleagues have successfully harnessed neurons in mouse brains, allowing them to at least partially control a specific memory.

Could parental exposure to solvents at work be linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in their children? According to an exploratory study by Erin McCanlies, a research epidemiologist from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and colleagues, such exposures could play a role, but more research would be needed to confirm an association.

The next time you set a trap for that rat running around in your basement, here’s something to consider: you are going up against an opponent whose ability to assess the situation and make decisions is statistically just as good as yours.

Adams Jeep of Maryland, Inc., will pay $50,000 to settle a disability discrimination and harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). According to EEOC’s suit, the auto dealership engaged in unlawful discrimination when it denied a reasonable accommodation to an employee after she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and because of her record of disability. EEOC also said the company subjected her to harassment and fired her. Under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) it is against the law to discriminate against a qualified individual because of a disability.

The U.S. Department of Justice has intervened in a recently-filed lawsuit charging that the State of New Hampshire does not provide mental health services to people with disabilities in community settings. This violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Due to the state’s failures to comply with these laws, people with mental illness who need state mental health services must go to segregated institutions in New Hampshire. Under the ADA, a state cannot require people with disabilities to enter segregated facilities to get services.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has won one of its first disability discrimination lawsuits concerning bipolar disorder. Cottonwood Financial, which does business as The Cash Store, violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) when it fired an employee with bipolar disorder. The employee’s request for sick leave to adjust to new medication was denied and he was fired days later. The ADA and the WLAD prohibit employment decisions based on an employee’s real or perceived disability or request for an accommodation.

Mobility Map is a Web-based tool that helps consumers find wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. The Mobility Map provides people with disabilities guidance in getting wheelchairs and other mobility equipment that meets their specific needs. It also offers tips on identifying your “wheelchair team” such as physicians and medical equipment suppliers, how to obtain a wheelchair evaluation, and where to find funding.

Report from the National Alliance for Caregiving that describes the impact of caregiving on individuals who care for a friend or family member living with Multiple Sclerosis. Key findings include: caregivers spend an average of 24 hours a week providing care; 22 percent have lost jobs due to caregiving; and there are negative affects relating to their finances, their mental health, and their ability to participate in hobbies or outside activities. This link opens a PDF document.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report that shows that about one in 88 children in the United States has autism or a related disorder. This is an overall increase of about 23 percent since a report in 2009. The report also shows that Autism spectrum disorders are almost five times more common among boys than girls.