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Cureus Sep 2023Autism spectrum disorder is made up of several disorders, which include autism, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder. Boys are four times more likely... (Review)
Review
Autism spectrum disorder is made up of several disorders, which include autism, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls with autism spectrum disorder, and symptoms usually become apparent by the age of three. Autism spectrum disorders' core characteristic features are abnormal interaction, impairment in communication, and stereotyped behaviors with restricted activities and interests. There are also non-core features associated with autism spectrum disorder, and these are aggression, self-injurious behavior, and tantrums. To date, there is no one drug approved to treat the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, but antipsychotic drugs such as risperidone have been shown to be effective at treating both core and non-core symptoms in controlled trials using multiple behavioral rating scales such as the Aberrant Behavioral Checklist subscale, the Clinical Global Impression Improvement Scale, the Ritvo-Freeman Real Life Scale, the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, and the Social Withdrawal Subscale. The safety, efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of risperidone were assessed in these studies, and weight gain was a common side effect observed, but the outcome was usually mild and self-limiting. The effect of risperidone on cognition was explored in this article. The studies selected for this article were of small sample size and short duration, which presented limitations for treatment with risperidone and an area that needs to be explored further for its contribution to clinical practice.
PubMed: 37731686
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45524 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2023Subjects with Asperger's syndrome without intellectual disabilities have significant difficulties in establishing social relationships despite their IQ being within the...
Subjects with Asperger's syndrome without intellectual disabilities have significant difficulties in establishing social relationships despite their IQ being within the normal range. One of the effects of social deficit is depression. The question arises whether loneliness and dimensions of meaning in life correlate with the severity of depression and whether the average severity of depression, loneliness and dimensions of meaning in life differentiate the following groups: people with Asperger's syndrome and depression, people with Asperger's syndrome without depression, people with depression without Asperger's syndrome and healthy subjects. The study was conducted on a total of 170 people, including: 43 people with Asperger's syndrome and depression, 41 people with Asperger's syndrome without depression, 40 people with depression without Asperger's syndrome and 46 healthy people (without Asperger's syndrome and without depression). All were administered a demographic survey, Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, Life Attitude Profile-Revised. Asperger's syndrome and depressive episodes were diagnosed on the basis of ICD-10 research criteria still applicable in Poland. In the group with Asperger's syndrome and depression the highest levels of loneliness and the lowest values of the dimensions of the sense of meaning in life, except for the acceptance of death, were observed. This result was significantly different from the results obtained in the other study groups. Both in people with Asperger's syndrome without depression and in people with depression without Asperger's syndrome, the values of the dimensions of the sense of meaning in life and the level of loneliness differ significantly from the results obtained in the control group. The BDI-II scores correlated positively with the loneliness values and negatively with the sense of meaning in life values in all groups. The results indicate that both suffering from depression and having Asperger's syndrome are associated with an increased sense of loneliness and a reduced sense of meaning in life. People with Asperger's syndrome and depression have the highest values of loneliness and the lowest values of dimensions of the sense of meaning of life compared to the other groups studied. The limitation of the work is the deliberate selection of groups, because it would be interesting to answer the question whether Asperger's syndrome is a risk factor for depression in the population.
Topics: Humans; Asperger Syndrome; Pilot Projects; Loneliness; Interpersonal Relations; International Classification of Diseases
PubMed: 37838751
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43826-z -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2021Delta activity on electroencephalogram (EEG) is considered a biomarker of homeostatic sleep drive. Delta power is often associated with sleep duration and intensity....
Delta activity on electroencephalogram (EEG) is considered a biomarker of homeostatic sleep drive. Delta power is often associated with sleep duration and intensity. Here, we reviewed the literature to explore how sleep quality was influenced by changes in delta power. However, we found that both the decrease and increase in delta power could indicate a higher sleep quality due to the various factors below. First, the differences in changes in delta power in patients whose sleep quality is lower than that of the healthy controls may be related to the different diseases they suffered from. We found that the patients mainly suffered from borderline personality disorder, and Rett syndrome may have a higher delta power than healthy individuals. Meanwhile, patients who are affected by Asperger syndrome, respiratory failure, chronic fatigue, and post-traumatic stress disorder have lower delta power. Second, if the insomnia patients received the therapy, the difference may be caused by the treatment method. Cognitive or music therapy shows that a better therapeutic effect is associated with decreased delta power, whereas in drug treatment, there is an opposite change in delta power. Last, for healthy people, the difference in delta change may be related to sleep stages. The higher sleep quality is associated with increased delta power during the NREM period, whereas a deceased delta change accompanies higher sleep quality during the REM period. Our work summarizes the effect of changes in delta power on sleep quality and may positively impact the monitoring and intervention of sleep quality.
PubMed: 34975393
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.803507 -
The British Journal of Clinical... Mar 2017Interpersonal emotion regulation (ER) plays a significant role in how individuals meet others' emotional needs and shape social interactions, as it is key to initiating...
OBJECTIVES
Interpersonal emotion regulation (ER) plays a significant role in how individuals meet others' emotional needs and shape social interactions, as it is key to initiating and maintaining high-quality social relationships. Given that individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) or Asperger's syndrome (AS) exhibit problems in social interactions, the aim of this study was to examine their use of different interpersonal ER strategies compared to normative control participants.
METHODS
Thirty individuals with AS, 30 with BPD, and 60 age-, gender-, and education-matched control participants completed a battery of measures to assess interpersonal ER, which assessed to what extent participants tended to engage in interpersonal affect improvement and worsening and to what extent they used different strategies. Before completing those measures, all groups were screened for disorders of Axis I and Axis II with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I and Axis II Disorders.
RESULTS
Compared to controls, individuals with AS and with BPD engaged less in affect improvement. No differences were found for affect worsening. Individuals with AS reported to use less adaptive (attention deployment, cognitive change) and more maladaptive (expressive suppression) interpersonal ER strategies, compared to individuals with BPD and control participants who did not differ from each other.
CONCLUSIONS
The obtained results suggest the need to develop tailored ER interventions for each of the clinical groups studied. Furthermore, they highlight the need to study further potential differences in intrapersonal and interpersonal ER in clinical populations.
PRACTITIONER POINTS
Individuals with Asperger's syndrome (AS) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) engaged significantly less than healthy controls in interpersonal affect improvement. Individuals with BPD did not differ from healthy controls in the use of interpersonal strategies. Individuals with AS reported to use more maladaptive and less adaptive strategies than BPD individuals and healthy controls. Understanding differences in interpersonal emotion regulation in individuals with AS and with BPD and normative controls might help practitioners develop better interventions.
Topics: Adult; Asperger Syndrome; Attention; Borderline Personality Disorder; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Emotions; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Middle Aged; Social Perception
PubMed: 27990657
DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12124 -
International Journal of Geriatric... Mar 2018
PubMed: 29424112
DOI: 10.1002/gps.4779 -
L'Encephale Sep 2015Most studies on suicide exclude subjects with autism spectrum disorders, yet there is a risk group. The purpose of this article is to present the data in the literature... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Most studies on suicide exclude subjects with autism spectrum disorders, yet there is a risk group. The purpose of this article is to present the data in the literature regarding the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of suicidality in subjects with autism spectrum disorders and to identify the factors that promote the transition to action.
METHODS
This review was carried out using the data set collected in Medline PubMed, items with "autism spectrum disorder", "pervasive developmental disorder", "Asperger's syndrome", "suicide", "suicide attempt", and "suicide behavior".
RESULTS
In all subjects from our research on PubMed, 21.3% of subjects with autism spectrum disorder reported suicidal ideation, have attempted suicide or died by suicide (115 out of 539 subjects) and 7.7% of subjects supported for suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide exhibited an autism spectrum disorder (62 out of 806 subjects), all ages combined. Suicidal ideation and morbid preoccupation are particularly common in adolescents and young adults. Suicide attempts are accompanied by a willingness for death and can lead to suicide. They are more common in high-functioning autism and Asperger subjects. The methods used are often violent and potentially lethal or fatal in two cases published. Suicide risk depends on many factors that highlight the vulnerability of these subjects, following autistic and developmental symptoms. Vulnerability complicating the diagnosis of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders are major factors associated with suicidality. Vulnerability but also directly related to suicidality, since the origin of physical and sexual abuse and victimization by peers assigning them the role of "scapegoat" are both responsible for acting out.
CONCLUSION
Given the diversity of factors involved in the risk of suicide in this population, this does not validate "a" program of intervention, but the intervention of "customized programs". Their implementation should be as early as possible in order to treat while the brain has the greatest plasticity. The aim is to provide the necessary access to the greatest possible autonomy. Hence, including working communication skills and interaction, these subject will have independent means of protection, an essential complement to measures to protect vulnerable subjects; the vulnerability of direct and indirect suicidality. Comorbid diagnoses must take into account the specificities of these patients, their difficulties in communicating their mental state, and adapted and innovative therapeutic strategies must be offered and validated.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; Child; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Crime Victims; Depression; Humans; Risk Factors; Suicide; Suicide Prevention
PubMed: 25200592
DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2014.08.010 -
Disability and Rehabilitation Jul 2020This pilot study describes the socio-professional development and quality of life of young adults with Asperger syndrome in France. Those young adults, between 18 and...
This pilot study describes the socio-professional development and quality of life of young adults with Asperger syndrome in France. Those young adults, between 18 and 30 years old, receiving care in a child psychiatry department for autistic spectrum disorder, were requested to respond to the Ad Hoc, World Health Organization Quality Of Life - Bref and Copenhagen psychosocial questionnaires regarding their socio-professional background and feelings about their future. Of the 79 eligible subjects, 24 were selected to participate in our study. Their average age at the time of the pilot study was 22.2 years (standard deviation 3.4 years), and their average age when they were diagnosed was 17.5 years (standard deviation 3.7 years.). There were 54% who reported a psychiatric comorbidity anxiety disorder. Half stated they had completed secondary school and benefitted from being professionally employed. During this study, only six were employed, while the others remained financially dependent on their parents. The group's quality of life self-assessment scores were significantly lower compared to the French general population in overall psychology (43.6 versus 68.7) and social relationships (48.9 versus 76.5). However, the study's participants perceived work as an important means to their personal development. Hence, in order to cope with their difficulties, they hoped to benefit from customized support adapted to their autistic disorder and for their workplace colleagues to be better informed about Asperger syndrome.: Our results are in line with international data. Additional studies need to be done in order to determine socio-professional integration factors and, in particular, the integration of potential contributions by occupational health departments with those social and medical teams supporting these young adults.Implications for rehabilitationYoung adults with Asperger syndrome benefit from the support of their family in determining their professional goals.Support may be required to enhance social and communicative abilities to help integration.Employees would benefit from information on the syndrome and how best to support.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Asperger Syndrome; Autistic Disorder; Child; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family; Female; France; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Pilot Projects; Quality of Life; Social Skills; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 30669888
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1544297 -
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine Dec 2018Internet technology offers psychiatrists new opportunities for remote interaction with patients. It also raises issues regarding therapeutic effectiveness, safety,...
BACKGROUND
Internet technology offers psychiatrists new opportunities for remote interaction with patients. It also raises issues regarding therapeutic effectiveness, safety, technical problems and possibilities for overcoming them, and matters related to specific mental health problems such as autism. The case presented concerns an adolescent male with severe social impairment and isolation as manifestations of Aspergers syndrome.
METHODS
The patient was accepted contact with psychiatric services through telepsychiatry, which enabled initial assessment and the development of a therapeutic relationship.
RESULTS
In due course the patient was able to attend the clinic in person. He became somewhat reconciled to his family. With appropriate adaptations he was able to resume his education and career.
CONCLUSIONS
Telepsychiatry shows promise in engaging with patients with autism spectrum disorders. As experience accrues, there is some evidence that it is safe and effective. Adaptations to traditional clinical psychotherapy may be required.
Topics: Adolescent; Asperger Syndrome; Humans; Male; Physician-Patient Relations; Psychiatry; Telemedicine
PubMed: 30501669
DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2017.19 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2020Social campaigns are carried out to promote autism spectrum disorder (ASD) awareness, normalization, and visibility. The internet helps to shape perceptions of Asperger...
Social campaigns are carried out to promote autism spectrum disorder (ASD) awareness, normalization, and visibility. The internet helps to shape perceptions of Asperger syndrome and autism. In fact, these campaigns often coincide with the increase in searches for both diagnoses on Google. We have two study objectives: to use Google Trends to identify the annual time points from 2015 to 2019 with the highest Google search traffic in Spain for the terms "autism" and "Asperger", and to identify news and trending topics related to ASD that took place during the weeks with the highest number of Google searches for these terms. Google Trend, MyNews and Trendinalia were used to analyze the volume of searches and trending topics related to ASD. As a result, social marketing campaigns, social networks and the publication of news items act as powerful voices that can provide a realistic or sensationalist picture of the disorder. For this reason, we concluded that campaigns play an important role in the normalization of ASD, and that it is important for organizations concerned with the visibility and social inclusion of people with ASD to check the way ASD is portrayed through the internet, media, and social networks.
Topics: Asperger Syndrome; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Humans; Internet; Spain
PubMed: 33333991
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249386 -
Sleep Medicine Reviews Feb 2020Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are often characterised by sleep problems, and recent evidence indicates alterations of the sleep electroencephalographic (EEG)... (Review)
Review
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are often characterised by sleep problems, and recent evidence indicates alterations of the sleep electroencephalographic (EEG) oscillations in these patients. Sleep microstructure plays a crucial role in cognitive functioning and brain maturation. In this view, modifications in sleep EEG oscillations in NDDs could further impair the cognitive maturation process in these patients. We provide an overview of sleep microstructure alterations observed in three NDDs without intellectual disabilities (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, high-functioning autism/Asperger syndrome and developmental dyslexia) and their relationships with the disorders' phenomenology. For each NDD, we discuss empirical evidence of altered EEG oscillations, and we consider their interaction with patients' cognitive and behavioural functioning, with the aim to elucidate their functional meaning. We highlight the limits of the present literature and propose possible future directions while underlining the clinical relevance of the research in this field. Beyond confirming the importance of sleep management in atypically developing children, the review findings suggest that sleep EEG oscillations in NDDs could become a target for specific clinical intervention.
Topics: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Cognition; Electroencephalography; Humans; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Sleep
PubMed: 31731102
DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2019.101224