HealthDay (4/18, Gotkine ) reported a study suggests that “predictable movement stimuli could be a behavioral marker for early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening.” Researchers analyzed “observation durations for predictable movements for children with potential ASD (13 male and four female) compared to typically developing children (nine male and two female) using a preferential-looking paradigm.”

They found that “children with potential ASD spent significantly more time observing predictable movements, especially in the latter part of the stimulus presentation.” Researchers concluded, “This study’s results highlight the potential of predictable stimuli as an early screening tool, offering promise for improving early diagnosis and intervention for children at risk for ASD.” The study was published in Scientific Reports.

Related Links:

— “Observation of Predictable Visual Stimuli a Potential Early Indicator for Autism,” Elana Gotkine, HealthDay, April 18, 2025

Medical Economics (4/18, Littrell) reported on a Sermo survey of “more than 1,100 physicians worldwide” finding that 23% of physicians endorse “an outright ban” on TikTok, “due to the app’s role in spreading health misinformation.” In addition 43% of respondents “identified TikTok as a significant source of misinformation about medical treatments.” Asked about social media they personally use, 5% said TikTok, 26% Sermo, 23% Facebook, and 16% LinkedIn.

Related Links:

— “1 in 4 physicians support a TikTok ban, citing health misinformation,” Austin Littrell, Medical Economics, April 18, 2025

Dermatology Advisor (4/18, Kuhns) reported on a study finding that “oral finasteride use at various doses was associated with completed suicide, depression suicidal, suicidal behavior, and suicidal ideation following the identification of post-finasteride syndrome, but was not associated with suicide attempts.” The study was based on “data from the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).” The findings were published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Finasteride is used to treat Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy and men’s pattern baldness.

Related Links:

— “Oral Finasteride Associated With Increased Depression, Suicidal Ideation Rates,” Lisa Kuhns, PhD, Dermatology Advisor, April 18, 2025

HealthDay (4/17, Gotkine ) reports a systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that “widespread use of digital technology seems to be associated with lower rates of cognitive decline in adults older than 50.” Researchers analyzed 57 “observational or cohort studies focusing on general digital technology use in older adults.” They found “an association for use of digital technologies with a reduced risk for cognitive impairment (odds ratio, 0.42) as well as reduced time-dependent rates of cognitive decline (hazard ratio, 0.74). When accounting for demographic, socioeconomic, health, and cognitive reserve proxies, the effects remained significant.” The review was published in Nature Human Behaviour.

Related Links:

— “Digital Technology Linked to Lower Rates of Cognitive Decline in Adults Older Than 50,” Elana Gotkine, HealthDay, April 17, 2025

HCPlive (4/16, Brooks ) reports a study found that “past-month binge drinking rates were greater among young adult females than males during the 2021 to 2023 period, reversing 2017 to 2019 patterns, whereas males in other age groups continued to binge and heavy drink at higher rates than females.” Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, researchers “assessed sex-based differences in past-month binge drinking,” which is defined as “≥ 5 alcoholic drinks for males or ≥ 4 alcohol drinks for females on the same occasion, and heavy drinking, defined as binge drinking on ≥ 5 days in the past 30 days.”

From 2021 to 2023, they found that females across all age groups “had significantly lower overall past month binge drinking levels than males,” while females “18 to 25 years of age had greater binge drinking levels than males.” Investigators noted that “female adults had significantly lower heavy drinking levels than male adults across all age groups from 2017 to 2019 and 2021 to 2023.” The study was published in JAMA.

Related Links:

— “Binge Drinking Rates Increasing Among Young Female Adults, Study Finds,” Abigail Brooks, MA, HCPLive, April 16, 2025