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Some children with autism can become much more able to function over time, a new study finds. And the mother’s race and education make a big difference in which children improve. Researchers reached these conclusions based on records for nearly 7,000 California children. They looked at how well kids were able to function when they were diagnosed. They were divided into low, medium and high function groups based on their symptoms. The focus was on 3 areas. How well did they communicate? Could they get along with others and have friends? Did they have many repeated behaviors? Researchers also tracked changes over time. Most children improved in communication and social skills. Repeated behaviors tended to stay the same. But about 10% improved so much that they moved from low to high functioning.

About 15% to 25% of breast cancers found after a mammogram do not need to be treated, a new study estimates. But no one knows for sure which tumors are the bad ones. So some women get treatment they don’t need, the study authors say. The study looked at results of a mammogram screening program in Norway. Women ages 50 to 69 were offered testing every 2 years. Some areas of the country began regular screening earlier than others. Researchers compared cancer rates in areas that started early with those that started later. They estimated that the program prevented 1 death from breast cancer for every 2,500 women offered screening. But they also estimated that 6 to 10 women of every 2,500 got treatment they didn’t need. The journal Annals of Internal Medicine published the study. The Associated Press wrote about it April 3.

A bedside genetic test can predict which drugs will work best in heart patients. About 200 people were in the study. All of them had angioplasty to open a clogged artery. Half received a genetic test to see if they would respond to the drug clopidogrel. People who would not respond were given other drugs. The other half were all given standard treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel. The bedside genetic test identified all of the people who would not respond to clopidogrel. In the other group, 30% did not respond to clopidogrel. This is the first study to validate a bedside genetic test for personalization of drug therapy. It was published in the Lancet March 29. HealthDay News wrote about it.

Two new drugs show promise in treating psoriasis, a long-term skin condition that can cause itching, flaking and pain. About 3 of every 100 people in the United States have psoriasis. Both studies used molecules that block a protein called IL-17. This protein helps to cause skin inflammation. It is found at high levels in the blood of people with psoriasis. One study involved 198 people. All had moderate to severe psoriasis. They were randomly divided into groups. Some groups got injections of a drug called brodalumab, which blocks the action of IL-17. Others got placebo injections. After 16 weeks, the drug dramatically reduced symptoms. In some cases, no signs of psoriasis existed. The second study involved 142 people with moderate to severe psoriasis. They received either six injections of a drug called ixekizumab, or placebo injections.