HNC Treatment Predictor 

Although treatment for advanced head and neck cancer requires chemotherapy with cisplatin, many patients don't respond well to this treatment, and the presence of an enzyme can predict how patients may respond. Based on tissue samples from 76 patients who received cisplatin treatment, researchers found that low levels of ERCC1—an enzyme that helps repair cisplatin-related DNA damage—were associated with increased treatment and survival rates. For more information, visit the Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News Web site.

Epilepsy Related to SLI? 

Epileptic activity in the brain can affect language development in children, and researchers say EEGs should direct medical treatment for children with severe language impairment. Researchers examined 60 children divided into three groups: children with language dysfunction, children with epilepsy, and children with both. Results showed that epilepsy (with seizures) and epileptic brain activity with or without seizures were more common in children with language dysfunction than in children in general. For more information, see the study online.

Autism Prognosis 

When and how autism symptoms first appear may predict a child's developmental, diagnostic, and educational outcome. Researchers collected data from 2,720 parents and found that children with early developmental warning signs may actually be at lower risk for poor outcomes than children who exhibit fewer early development delays and who later experience a regression or plateau in skills. For more information, visit the Kennedy Krieger Institute Web site and search for "autism onset."