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Neuron Aug 2014Cerebellar research has focused principally on adult motor function. However, the cerebellum also maintains abundant connections with nonmotor brain regions throughout... (Review)
Review
Cerebellar research has focused principally on adult motor function. However, the cerebellum also maintains abundant connections with nonmotor brain regions throughout postnatal life. Here we review evidence that the cerebellum may guide the maturation of remote nonmotor neural circuitry and influence cognitive development, with a focus on its relationship with autism. Specific cerebellar zones influence neocortical substrates for social interaction, and we propose that sensitive-period disruption of such internal brain communication can account for autism's key features.
Topics: Autistic Disorder; Brain Mapping; Cerebellum; Cognition; Gene Expression; Humans; Learning; Male
PubMed: 25102558
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.07.016 -
Progress in Molecular Biology and... 2020Since the initial psychological report by Leo Kanner in 1943, relatively little formal biochemical/neurological research on the cause of autism, other than peripheral... (Review)
Review
Since the initial psychological report by Leo Kanner in 1943, relatively little formal biochemical/neurological research on the cause of autism, other than peripheral searches for genomic mutations, had been carried until the end of the 20th century. As a result of studies on twin sets and the conclusion that autism was largely a hereditary defect, numerous investigations have sought various genetic faults in particular. However, such studies were able to reveal a plausible etiology for this malady in only a small percentage of instances. Key bio-molecular characteristics of this syndrome have been uncovered when the potential roles of the glia were studied in depth. Findings related to biochemical deficiencies appearing early in the newborn, such as depressed IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor #1) in neurogenesis/myelination, are becoming emphasized in many laboratories. Progress leading to timely diagnoses and subsequent prevention of central nervous system dysconnectivity now seems plausible. The tendency for an infant to develop autism may currently be determinable and preventable before irreversible psychosocial disturbances become established. These discussions about glial function will be inter-spersed with comments about their apparent relevance to autism. The concluding portion of this presentation will be a detailed review and summation of this diagnosis and prevention proposition.
Topics: Animals; Autistic Disorder; Biomarkers; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Myelin Sheath; Nerve Net; Polymorphism, Genetic
PubMed: 32711807
DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.04.013 -
Medicina Feb 2022Autism or ASDs are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect socio-communicative development, interests, and a restricted and stereotyped pattern of interests and...
INTRODUCTION
Autism or ASDs are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect socio-communicative development, interests, and a restricted and stereotyped pattern of interests and behavior. Epidemiological studies indicate that there are 3 times more boys affected with autism than girls but clinical studies indicate a much higher preponderance in favor of boys. There is an under detection of autism with a late or wrong diagnosis more frequently in girls and women with autism.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the clinical presentation of autism in girls and women, factors related to under detection and diagnosis or diagnostic confusion, and mechanisms for improving its diagnosis and intervention.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We will analyze the differences in the clinical presentation of autism between genders, social and cultural factors, cognitive aspects and differential comorbidities in boys and girls with autism, current limitations of diagnostic instruments for the evaluation of autism and which are aspects to improve for a better identification, earlier and more accurate of autism in the female gender.
CONCLUSIONS
Autism in the female gender presents differential clinical, cognitive and biological characteristics associated with under detection and late diagnosis.
Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Female; Humans; Male; Sex Factors
PubMed: 35171806
DOI: No ID Found -
Trends in Cognitive Sciences Apr 2012The idea that social motivation deficits play a central role in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has recently gained increased interest. This constitutes a shift in... (Review)
Review
The idea that social motivation deficits play a central role in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has recently gained increased interest. This constitutes a shift in autism research, which has traditionally focused more intensely on cognitive impairments, such as theory-of-mind deficits or executive dysfunction, and has granted comparatively less attention to motivational factors. This review delineates the concept of social motivation and capitalizes on recent findings in several research areas to provide an integrated account of social motivation at the behavioral, biological and evolutionary levels. We conclude that ASD can be construed as an extreme case of diminished social motivation and, as such, provides a powerful model to understand humans' intrinsic drive to seek acceptance and avoid rejection.
Topics: Animals; Autistic Disorder; Biological Evolution; Brain; Humans; Models, Psychological; Motivation; Social Behavior
PubMed: 22425667
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2012.02.007 -
Pediatrics Aug 2011The etiology of autism is unknown, although perinatal and neonatal exposures have been the focus of epidemiologic research for over 40 years. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The etiology of autism is unknown, although perinatal and neonatal exposures have been the focus of epidemiologic research for over 40 years.
OBJECTIVE
To provide the first review and meta-analysis of the association between perinatal and neonatal factors and autism risk.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo databases were searched for studies that examined the association between perinatal and neonatal factors and autism through March 2007. Forty studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. For each exposure, a summary effect estimate was calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity in effect estimates across studies was examined, and, if found, a meta-regression was conducted to identify measured methodological factors that could explain between-study variability.
RESULTS
Over 60 perinatal and neonatal factors were examined. Factors associated with autism risk in the meta-analysis were abnormal presentation, umbilical-cord complications, fetal distress, birth injury or trauma, multiple birth, maternal hemorrhage, summer birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, congenital malformation, low 5-minute Apgar score, feeding difficulties, meconium aspiration, neonatal anemia, ABO or Rh incompatibility, and hyperbilirubinemia. Factors not associated with autism risk included anesthesia, assisted vaginal delivery, postterm birth, high birth weight, and head circumference.
CONCLUSIONS
There is insufficient evidence to implicate any 1 perinatal or neonatal factor in autism etiology, although there is some evidence to suggest that exposure to a broad class of conditions reflecting general compromises to perinatal and neonatal health may increase the risk. Methodological variations were likely sources of heterogeneity of risk factor effects across studies.
Topics: Autistic Disorder; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Neonatal Screening; Perinatal Care; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Risk Factors
PubMed: 21746727
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2010-1036 -
Journal of Autism and Developmental... Jan 2019Since Hans Asperger's first description (Arch Psych Nervenkrankh 117:76-136, 1944), through Lorna Wing's translation and definition (Psychol Med 11:115-129, 1981), to... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Since Hans Asperger's first description (Arch Psych Nervenkrankh 117:76-136, 1944), through Lorna Wing's translation and definition (Psychol Med 11:115-129, 1981), to its introduction in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM, 1994), Asperger Syndrome has always aroused huge interest and debate, until vanishing in the DSM fifth edition (2013). The debate regarded its diagnostic validity and its differentiation from high functioning autism (HFA). The present study aimed to examine whether AS differed from HFA in clinical profiles and to analyze the impact of DSM-5's innovation. Differences in cognitive, language, school functioning and comorbidities, were revealed when 80 AS and 70 HFA patients (3-18 years) were compared. Results suggested that an AS empirical distinction within autism spectrum disorder should be clinically useful.
Topics: Academic Success; Adolescent; Asperger Syndrome; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Child; Child, Preschool; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Female; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 30043350
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3689-4 -
Genes, Brain, and Behavior Jan 2022
Topics: Animals; Autistic Disorder; Developmental Disabilities; Humans
PubMed: 34891220
DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12789 -
Journal of Autism and Developmental... Apr 2021This study investigated sex/gender differences in camouflaging with children and adolescents (N = 84) with and without an autism diagnosis/increased levels of...
This study investigated sex/gender differences in camouflaging with children and adolescents (N = 84) with and without an autism diagnosis/increased levels of autistic traits using two conceptualisations/operationalisations of camouflaging. A significant group-by-gender interaction using ANCOVA, with the covariate of verbal IQ, reflected similar levels of social reciprocity in autistic and neurotypical females, whereas autistic males had lower reciprocity than neurotypical males. Autistic females also had higher reciprocity than autistic males, despite similar levels of autistic traits (behavioural camouflaging). Additionally, autistic males and females had similar theory of mind skills, despite females having increased reciprocity (compensatory camouflaging). These findings provide evidence of increased camouflaging in autistic females, which may contribute to delay in the recognition of difficulties and provision of support.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Autistic Disorder; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Recognition, Psychology; Sex Characteristics; Sex Factors; Theory of Mind
PubMed: 32691191
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04615-z -
Acta Physiologica Hungarica Sep 2015We studied effects of therapeutic riding on the development of children with autism. Experiments in walking is appropriate for assessing the coordination of movement and... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
We studied effects of therapeutic riding on the development of children with autism. Experiments in walking is appropriate for assessing the coordination of movement and for following the changes. We found that therapeutic riding should be considered as a new form of rehabilitation. Twenty-six pupils (12 boys and 14 girls) of a special needs school participated in therapeutic riding. We analyzed walking twice during a school-term: full body analyses each time before and after one-month therapy. The research included a non-riding control group. All together 104 analyses were performed. We measured mental skills using Pedagogical Analysis and Curriculum (PAC) test consisting of four parts being communication, self care, motor skills and socialization. The Gait Cycle Analysis consists of the time-series analysis, the analysis of part of the gait cycle and the measurement of joint angles in each plane. We found significant differences between before and after the therapy in the length of the gait cycle that became more stable in the sagital plane and concluded that our results proved that horse therapy may be successfully used as an additional therapy for children with autism, and it may be a form of rehabilitation in cases when other therapies are not successful.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Age Factors; Autistic Disorder; Biomechanical Phenomena; Child; Child Behavior; Communication; Equine-Assisted Therapy; Female; Gait; Humans; Hungary; Male; Motor Skills; Physical Examination; Recovery of Function; Self Care; Socialization; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Walking
PubMed: 26551748
DOI: 10.1556/036.102.2015.3.10 -
Revista de Neurologia Mar 2010Autism spectrum disorders make up a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that globally affect different higher brain functions in the individual, such as intelligence,... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Autism spectrum disorders make up a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that globally affect different higher brain functions in the individual, such as intelligence, the capacity to use language and social interaction. Today, although there is still no curative treatment for autism, there are a number of non pharmacological interventions that can modify the poor prognosis that is generally associated to this type of disorders.
AIM
To briefly review the different approaches to the neuro rehabilitation of patients suffering from autism spectrum disorders, which are usually known as methods of intervention.
DEVELOPMENT
From the categorical point of view, three types of methods of intervention can be distinguished, depending on whether the orientation is psychodynamic, biomedical or psycho educational. It is difficult to compare the results of the different methods of intervention, but researchers have identified several common elements that they should have if they are to be effective. At present, the psycho educational methods are preferred, since they are the only ones that, to date, have proved to be effective in research studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Early intervention by diagnostic and early care centres, with the use of mixed models of psycho educational intervention that nevertheless also include an important percentage of behavioural elements, has proved to be capable of modifying the course of patients with autism spectrum disorders and is currently the most suitable approach.
Topics: Autistic Disorder; Child; Complementary Therapies; Early Intervention, Educational; Education, Special; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Prognosis; Social Behavior; Social Support
PubMed: 20200851
DOI: No ID Found