Projects

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of Slovak families with children with autism spectrum disorder and families with typically developing children The research aimed to monitor changes in the mental health of families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as families with neurotypical children, from first to third wave of

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, the responsible factors that increase the risk of this disorder exert their effects already during the prenatal period. Dermatoglyphs (formations that are formed by a unique arrangement of papillary lines – fingerprints are most often described) and their asymmetry are a reflection of developmental instability / instability during embryogenesis. Developmental

The mechanical properties of the erythrocyte membrane are very important clinical indicators. Deformability is the ability of erythrocytes to pass through thin capillaries without damage. Its disorder can lead to the pathogenesis of several diseases, including ASD. More Examination of erythrocyte deformability in relation to the clinical manifestations of autism in children. In this study,

The pathomechanisms of ASD have not yet been elucidated; metabolic disorders may play a role. Thanks to innovative methods such as the mass spectrometry and the statistical possibilities of large-scale data analysis, the metabolomics method is finding an increasingly widespread application in current medical research. Metabolomics involves the determination of the concentration of endogenous molecules

Compared to the general population, individuals with autism have been diagnosed with a dysregulation of the immune system with the possibility of serious effects on the overall health of these individuals. The role of the immune system, especially the involvement of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which also affect the function of certain brain structures and thus patient

Children with ASD often have trouble sleeping. Their causes can be different, one of the theories assumes disruption of circadian rhythms (so-called internal biological clocks). This theory is evidenced by the differences in the levels of melatonin – a hormone that is involved in the regulation of biorhythms depending on changes in light intensity during

Compared to the general healthy population, people with autism have a higher incidence of associated disorders that have serious implications for the individual’s overall condition and prognosis. Many people with autism spectrum disorders suffer from disorders of the digestive system. In ASD, they occur more frequently than in the general population. Studies report their presence

Research in recent years has enriched the knowledge about the intestinal microbiota and the gut-brain axis through which the microbiota can affect the brain. An increasing number of studies point to intestinal dysbiosis – a different microbial population – as one of the possible factors involved in the development of ASD. In the project we

In genetic projects, we perform an analysis of selected genetic markers in phenotypically homogeneous individuals due to the high heterogeneity of the spectrum of autistic disorders. We focus on the analysis of selected genetic markers in phenotypically homogeneous individuals due to the large heterogeneity of ASD people. The goal of such oriented autism research

Passive smoking, or otherwise called secondary smoking, is now a serious problem affecting non-smokers in households and public places. Prenatal nicotine exposure can cause neurotoxic and neuromodulatory effects on the brain that lead to modifications in healthy development. … More Consequences of passive smoking on adaptive behavior of children with ASD In the study, we

Oxytocin as a prosocial hormone affects relationships, empathy, socialization but also the protection of offspring. In the projects, we monitor oxytocin levels in children with ASD in comparison with the general population, as well as selected genetic polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor gene and determine the association of oxytocin with behavioral characteristics. The effect of

Following the verification of the effect of testosterone and its metabolites, we find out whether other steroid hormones such as mineralocorticoids or glucocorticoids also interfere with the pathogenesis of autism. The involvement of these hormones has not yet been precisely elucidated. The aim of the project is a comprehensive analysis of the steroid metabolism in

The ratio of boys to girls with an autistic phenotype is approximately 4: 1, suggesting the involvement of genes on the Y sex chromosome and male sex hormones in the etiology of autism. Sex hormones significantly modulate brain activity at certain developmental stages with cognitive consequences that we observe in the behavioral and cognitive characteristics

In individuals with ASD, we assess the overall rate of autism as well as the depth of deficits in the triad of impairment using ADI-R ADOS-2 diagnostic tools. The development of diagnostic methods and the experience gained over the years by a team of certified experts represent significant outputs for both scientific research and

In our research center we use standard screening (MCHAT) and diagnostic (ADOS2, ADI-R) tools for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. We use standard rating scales to detect aggressive behavior, adaptive behavior, GIT difficulties and cognitive abilities. Verification of the effectiveness of the M-CHAT questionnaire in the Slovak population and introduction of mandatory ASD screening