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News update: May 2009

3 Major studies have identified specific genetic links to autism 

Autism and related conditions such as Asperger’s Syndrome affect at least 1 in 100 UK children with up to 216,000 children in the UK suffering from an autistic condition. The 3 major studies have identified specific genetic links to autism, related to the development and ‘wiring’ of the brain. Flaws have been found in proteins called cell adhesion molecules which play a vital role in shaping brain connections and the way nerve cells communicate. It has been found that this flaw is behind 15% of cases.

Another study found that deletions or duplications of DNA can increase a child’s risk of autism.

In a third piece of research British scientists have linked a gene involved in the growth and development of brain cells with autism. There are more than 30 genes which may be linked to the condition working together to predispose a child to autism or even cause it.

Junk food reduces children’s life expectancy 

Dr Tim Lobstein, director of the childhood obesity programme at the International Association for the Study of Obesity states that across Britain’s 10 million 5-18 year olds, 2.3 million are overweight or obese. Some 91,000 have liver disease, 91,000 have high cholesterol and 60,000 high blood pressure. Many of these conditions are symptomless but raise the chances of strokes, heart disease and cirrhosis in later life.

Computer games, TV and DVD watching, internet sites and other sedentary media has meant exercise is lower and couch potato life styles have developed with an appetite for junk food. Youngsters are eating themselves to a premature death. Over 200,000 British schoolchildren have blood sugar and insulin levels linked to diabetes.

Born to be wild – Does order of birth affect personality? 

An American study of 364 children aged 7-19 by researchers at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Hawaii interviewed children and parents to assess personalities. Children were asked to keep diaries of outside school activities and saliva samples were taken to check testosterone levels. They found that second-born children often showed more adventurousness traits and independence across adolescence whereas in first-borns their traits did not change much over time. Does this mean first-borns are more conformist and second-borns more likely to rebel?

This piece on autism was based on an article in the Daily Mail on 29/04/09 – Have we found the key to autism?

Angry genes – do some of us have too many? 

Scientists at the University of Bonn, whilst conducting research on 800 people, have found that the genes we inherit can determine whether we have a short or long fuse. Some of us will fly into a rage with the slightest provocation whilst others remain really calm. They asked the people to complete a questionnaire which gauged how they handled anger and they also took DNA samples to see which of the 3 versions of a gene called DARPP-32 they were carrying. This gene affects the level of a brain chemical linked to anger and aggression and is called dopamine. Those with TT or TC versions were more angry than those with the CC version. The amygdala, an area of the brain, in angry types had less grey matter. This area acts as a router centre for brain messages and can send messages prematurely to the reptilian part of the brain – the fight centre. The amygdala helps to keep our emotions in check.

Genetics only account for half of our disposition towards anger. The TT and TC versions are much more common in Western society – where demonstrations of anger allegedly help us get ahead. But it comes at some cost as anger can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Learning Behaviour – Lessons Learned – report published 15/04/09 

Sir Alan Steer has conducted a review into the progress made in raising standards of behaviour and discipline in schools since his 2005 report Learning Behaviour. He believes that much remains to be done to raise standards. The report makes 47 recommendations. Sir Alan Steer states that the early identification of learning and behaviour difficulties followed by effective intervention would prevent many subsequent problems occurring.

Awareness and understanding of existing legal powers that schools can use need to be disseminated more effectively. Schools should also be encouraged to exercise discipline beyond the school gates and work with the police to deliver it. He also felt that consistent good quality teaching is essential to reduce low level disruption and recommended that all schools should be required to produce a written policy on this. Sir Alan also felt that it was important for CPD, Training Schools, DCSF and professional associations to work together on disseminating good practice advice to schools. He recommended a greater emphasis to behaviour management training within the Training Schools programme. Another key point was strengthening the engagement of parents.

Improving behaviour, according to the report is a shared responsibility between Government, schools and other local partners together with parents and pupils themselves. Sir Alan Steer emphasised the importance of good schools operating with a very high degree of consistency.

Bullying makes victims more vulnerable to mental illness 

Professor Dieter Wolke, from the University of Warwick, in a study of 6437 children from birth to 13 years of age, found that children who have suffered physical or emotional bullying were twice as likely to develop psychotic symptoms by early adolescence as children who had not been bullied. If children have sustained bullying over a number of years they could be 4 times more at risk. Professor Wolke said that bullying victimisation is systematic and an abuse of power with an intent to hurt. He said ‘Children who become targets have less coping skills, show a clear reaction and have few friends who can help them’.

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