Autism

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Autism

• A common example of Developmental Neuropathology

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Autistic Spectrum
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Autism Description

• Developmental disorder
• Delays/deficits start before 3yrs
• Social Interaction poor
• Language/communication poor
• Stereotyped behaviours
• Imagination poor
• No (?) Theory of Mind
• Common, gt1 in 500, increasing

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Autism Connections

• Autistic Spectrum (eg Aspergers)
• A Pervasive Developmental Disorder
• In teens 50 Anx 21 Mood Dis 28 ADHD/Conduct
  Dis/Opp Dis
• OCD symptoms common
• Similarities with Avoidant Pers. Dis
• Similarities with Schizophrenia
• Mild autism may be benefit

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Autism Genetics 1

• Mz60 Dzlt10 concordance. Same pattern if take
  spectrum
• Relatives risk of social, cog, lang symptoms (
  Autism) up
• 5-15 have other genetic disorder (eg Fragile X,
  Down, Turners)
• Several chromosomes linked 2,3,7,15,16,17,X.
• Models suggest 2-5 crucial genes

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Autism Genetics 2

• C2 has genes for early brain dev
• C7 linked to many lang disorders (eg speech
  gene)
• Mice with defective C7gtsocial interaction
  deficit
• Evidence best for C2 C7.
• Looking at genes linked to 5-HT, Da especially

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Neurons Migrating Outwards
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Use It Or Lose It
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How Neurons Find Way
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Autism Neuroanatomy1

• Structures inconsistent across A
• Brain normal-gtlarge size
• Brainstem seems small
• Faulty neural dev seen in
• Hippocampus (eg too little branching of
  neurons)memory, anxiety, attention, making
  socialemotional bonds. Too big.
• Amygdala emotions, aggression, social skills.
  Too big.

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Autism Temporal Lobe
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Autism Cortex
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Autism Neuroanatomy2

• Cerebellum (eg too few Purkinje cells
  disorganised) movements, learning
• Parietal cortex attention
• ?Early SzgtFrontal lobe(excess gray matter lost)
  executive function (planning, control, reasoning)
• Inferior Colliculus is vulnerable, in brainstem,
  sets dev of Temporal lobe, damage-gtA symptoms.(?)

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Autism Transmitters

• Dopamine 5-HT important
• Da increases stereotypy, aggression anxiety
• 5-HT inhibitors (eg SSRIs) reduce rituals,
  anxiety,aggression in gt50 of adults kids
• 5-HT drugs 1st increase, later decrease
  metabolism in Hc Amygdala

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Autism 5-HT

• Besides the influence of 5-HT systems on some
  symptoms it is also crucial to brain development.
• Developmental receptors are found in Hippocampus,
  Amygdala, Cerebellum other areas
• Dopamine seems to balance 5-HT in systems. Da
  blockers improve even more symptoms.

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Autism Conclusion

• Autism seems to be a biologically caused state or
  set of conditions
• Genetics important but can be caused by toxins
  during dev
• May be extreme end of range of combination of
  symptoms
• Some of it may be good for you
• The cognitive, social, language behavioural
  symptoms can be linked to biological causes
• Current MRI study shows bad links in brain, fits
  preserved skills?

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Autism Two Weeks Time

• In pairs (or alone) please find one biologically
  based developmental disorder.
• Hand in to me at start
• Description/definition
• Symptoms
• Biological basis
• How could biology explain symptoms?

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Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

• FAS .1 FAE1
• FAS IQ 30-120 mean 79
• FAE IQ 48-148 mean 90
• Academic levelltIQ
• Living social skills,etc ltIQ
• FASD 60 ADHD as kids.
• 25 try suicide, 45 threaten
• gt50 major depression as adults
• Confined over 12 years 60 criminal 20 SUDS
  30 psychiatric hospital.
• Only 8 independent lives.

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Dyslexia

• 3.5 have dyslexia.
• Varies day to day.
• Sequencing, use of directional words poor.
• Runs in families, some genetics.
• C6 gene for wiring part of brain?
• Often dyspraxic.
• Spatially poor concentration low.
• Poor planning of work.

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One Site of Dyslexia Angular Gyrus
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ADHD 1

• 3-5 have ADHD
• Genetics, insult, injury.
• Prefrontal area.
• Traits may have been useful.
• Increased risk crime Conduct Disorder may be
  key.
• Drugs make easier to control.
• Drugs do not cure. Cos fund secretly support
  groups.

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ADHD 2

• Inattentive, Impulsive Hyperactive
• 25 Learning Disabilities
• 45 ODD
• 25 Conduct Disorder
• Drugs Behaviour Therapy best?
• 25 prisoners ADHD 50-80 show several of
  symptoms.