In this article an overview is given of the differential diagnosis of autism and autistic-like disorders. The diagnosis of the so-called 'Multiple Complex Developmental Disorders' (MCDD) as a distinct entity is discussed in relation to autism and schizophrenia. Biological research and the relevance of results until recently are discussed. Finally, the importance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system (HPA system) as a model for research is proposed. Research on the flexibility of this system may contribute in understanding the ways of stress processing in disorders like autism, MCDD and schizophrenia.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0924270800037303 | DOI Listing |
Glia
January 2025
Neurophysiology Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Cognition, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is marked by neurobehavioral developmental deficits, potentially linked to disrupted neuron-glia interactions. The astroglia Kir4.1 channel plays a vital role in regulating potassium levels during neuronal activation, and mutations in this channel have been associated with ASD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Opin Psychiatry
December 2024
Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center at Village of Vanderbilt.
Purpose Of Review: Over the last quarter century, the clinical evidence surrounding the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has expanded. This review provides the most up-to-date findings on the usage of ECT in ASD and discusses these results within the historical context and direct patient care experience.
Recent Findings: ECT is typically implemented for psychotropic-refractory catatonic, affective, psychotic, and combined pathology for individuals across the lifespan.
J Neurochem
January 2025
Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder characterized by several behavioral impairments, especially in socialization, communication, and the occurrence of stereotyped behaviors. In rats, prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) induces autistic-like behaviors. Previous studies by our group have suggested that the autistic-like phenotype is possibly related to dopaminergic system modulation because tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression was affected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) affects 1 in 36 children and is characterized by repetitive behaviors and difficulties in social interactions and social communication. The etiology of ASD is extremely heterogeneous, with a large number of ASD cases that are of unknown or complex etiology, which suggests the potential contribution of epigenetic risk factors. In particular, epidemiological and animal model studies suggest that inflammation during pregnancy could lead to an increased risk of ASD in the offspring.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Psychiatry
December 2024
Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Background: Autism is associated with alterations of social communication, such as during face-to-face interactions. This study aimed to probe face processing in autistics with normal IQ utilizing magnetoencephalography to examine event-related fields within the fusiform gyrus during face perception.
Methods: A case-control cohort of 22 individuals diagnosed with autism and 20 age-matched controls (all male, age 29.
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