Examination of Cognitive Functioning and Anatomy

This study examines the dynamic anatomical sequence of human cortical gray matter development between the age of 4-21 years using quantitative four-dimensional maps and time-lapse sequences. Thirteen healthy children for whom anatomic brain MRI scans were obtained every 2 years, for 8-10 years, were studied. By using models of the cortical surface and sulcal landmarks and a statistical model for gray matter density, human cortical development could be visualized across the age range in a spatiotemporally detailed time-lapse sequence. The resulting time-lapse "movies" reveal that (i) higher-order association cortices mature only after lower-order somatosensory and visual cortices, the functions of which they integrate, are developed, and (ii) phylogenetically older brain areas mature earlier than newer ones. Direct comparison with normal cortical development may help understanding of some neurodevelopmental disorders such as childhood-onset schizophrenia or autism.

Gogtay, N., Giedd, J. N., Lusk, L., Hayashi, K. M., Greenstein, D., Vaituzis, A. C., Nugent III, T. F., Herman, D. H., Clasen, L. S., Toga, A. W., Rapoport, J. L., & Thompson, P. M. (2004). Dynamic mapping of human cortical development during childhood through early adulthood. PNAS, 101(21), 8174-8179. https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0402680101

Autism studies

New report estimates show that roughly 1 in 88 American children has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, representing an increase of more than 20% over previous estimates. It is unclear why the number of diagnoses are on the rise, though some say the higher numbers are attributable in part to changes in strategies for screening, diagnosing and serving children with the disorder.
Baio, J. (2012). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders. Atlanta: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6103a1.htm?s_cid=ss6103a1_w

The societal cost of autism has risen to $137 billion a year, according to preliminary findings of a new study. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the London School of Economics considered the costs of education, health care and other services, along with newly released prevalence estimates, in completing the analysis. The study found the majority of costs associated with the disorder occurring in the adult years.
Knapp, M., & Mandell, D. (2012). Estimating the economic costs of Autism. New York: Autism Speaks.
http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/%E2%80%98costs-autism%E2%80%99-summit

Virtual teaching and autism research

Virtual characters and digital tutors are helping children and adults develop advanced social and language skills that can be tough to learn via conventional approaches. Children with autism can develop advanced social skills by interacting with a "virtual child" that they might not develop by hanging out with real children or teachers.
Cassell, J. (2008). Virtual Humans: A Tool for the Study and Teaching of Language and Social Interaction. Paper presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting, Boston.
http://articulab.northwestern.edu/