BOSTON -- Unique brain wave patterns may help explain why autistic children have so much trouble communicating.

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia had 64 autistic children ages 6 to 15 listen through headphones to a series of rapid beeps while under a helmet-like device, which recorded the brain's response to the sounds. Those brain waves, shown as highlighted areas on an imaging screen, were compared with responses in a group of non-autistic children.

Researchers found a small delay in the way the brain processes sounds.

"The brain activity elicited by hearing a sound, or hearing a word is delayed in children with autism. Markedly delayed only by a fraction of a second, but a fraction of second means a lot in the perception of human speech," said Timothy Roberts, the study's lead author and the hospital's vice chairman of research

Roberts said the study helps them understand what goes wrong in the brains of children with autism, which might one day improve treatment for disorder.

Traumatic Brain Injuries & Soldiers

A new report by the Institute of Medicine is urging the military to screen every soldier injured in a blast for traumatic brain injury.

A TBI has become the signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Research shows soldiers with brain trauma often suffer lingering memory problems, trouble concentrating and a higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The IOM report recommends the Department of Defense devote more research to better helmets to shield the brain from blast traumas. The committee also suggests the military conduct more studies on the long-term side effects of brain injuries.

Drug Investigation

The Food and Drug Administration is now posting reports of ongoing drug investigations.

On the FDA's site, you can find a list of some drugs being investigating for possible side effects. Drugs like Cymbalta and Heparin are on that list.

The FDA points out the drug list does not mean the agency is suggesting that health care providers should not prescribe the drug or that patients on the drug should stop taking the medication.