BIOL3025 - autism

autism symptoms

impaired social interaction

impaired verbal communication

deficits in developing and maintaining relationships

repetitive speech or motor movements

3 domains responsible for traits

social

verbal

repetitive

fractionable theory

3 distinct domains, different regions of the brain

social region

medial frontal cortex

verbal region

voice centres of cortex

repetitive region

caudate putamen

integral theory

there's an overlap - 1 part of the brain is important in 3 distinct behavioural traits

biological basis of ASD

changes in electrical activity

hippocampus and amygdala have increased cell density and decreased neuronal size

many genes implicated with low penetrance

neuroligins

associated w// postsynaptic side of neurones

mutated protein doesn't fold correctly

enhanced learning of motor patterns

1 is on the Y chromosome

neurexins

associated w// presynaptic side of neurones

involved in connecting neurones at the synapse

therapy

sensory or play therapies

encouraging interaction w// environment and others

cognitive therapy

drugs

treats symptoms but not cause

serotonergic and dopaminergic e.g. SSRIs

adrenergic antagonists

vitamin supplements/diet