scholarly journals An evolutionary account of impairment of self in cognitive disorders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Benítez-Burraco ◽  
Ines Adornetti ◽  
Francesco Ferretti ◽  
Ljiljana Progovac
Keyword(s):  
Language Evolution ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
The Self ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Narrative Self ◽  
Evolutionary Account ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Recent research has proposed that certain aspects of psychosis, as experienced in e.g. schizophrenia (SCH), but also aspects of other cognitive conditions, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and synesthesia, can be related to a shattered sense of the notion of self. In this paper, our goal is to show that altered processing of the self can be attributed to an abnormal functioning of cortico-striatal brain networks supporting, among other, one key human distinctive cognitive ability, namely, cross-modality, which plays multiple roles in human cognition and language. Specifically, our hypothesis is that this cognitive mechanism sheds light both on some basic aspects of the minimal self and on some aspects related to higher forms of the self, such as the narrative self. We further link the atypical functioning in these conditions to some recent evolutionary changes in our species, specifically, an atypical presentation of human self-domestication (HSD) features. In doing so, we also lean on previous work concerning the link between cognitive disorders and language evolution under the effects of HSD. We further show that this approach can unify both linguistic and non-linguistic symptoms of these conditions through deficits in the notion of self. Our considerations provide further support for the hypothesis that SCH and ASD are diametrically opposed cognitive conditions, as well for the hypothesis that their etiology is associated with recent human evolution, leading to a deeper understanding of the causes and symptoms of these disorders, and providing new cues, which can be used for an earlier and more accurate diagnostics.

Problem behavior in autism spectrum disorders: A paradigmatic self-organized perspective of network structures

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucio Tonello ◽  
Luca Giacobbi ◽  
Alberto Pettenon ◽  
Alessandro Scuotto ◽  
Massimo Cocchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
The Self ◽  
Network Structures ◽  
Self Organized ◽  
Critical Equilibrium ◽  
Self Organized Criticality ◽  
Acute Agitation ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) subjects can present temporary behaviors of acute agitation and aggressiveness, named problem behaviors. They have been shown to be consistent with the self-organized criticality (SOC), a model wherein occasionally occurring “catastrophic events” are necessary in order to maintain a self-organized “critical equilibrium.” The SOC can represent the psychopathology network structures and additionally suggests that they can be considered as self-organized systems.

scholarly journals Understanding the Self in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): A Review of Literature

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann X. Huang ◽  
Tammy L. Hughes ◽  
Lawrence R. Sutton ◽  
Marissa Lawrence ◽  
Xiaohan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
The Self ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

scholarly journals Language evolution: examining the link between cross-modality and aggression through the lens of disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 376 (1824) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Benítez-Burraco ◽  
Ljiljana Progovac
Keyword(s):  
Figurative Language ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Reactive Aggression ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Brain Changes ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Derogatory Language ◽  
Precise Degree

We demonstrate how two linguistic phenomena, figurative language (implicating cross-modality) and derogatory language (implicating aggression), both demand a precise degree of (dis)inhibition in the same cortico-subcortical brain circuits, in particular cortico-striatal networks, whose connectivity has been significantly enhanced in recent evolution. We examine four cognitive disorders/conditions that exhibit abnormal patterns of (dis)inhibition in these networks: schizophrenia (SZ), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), synaesthesia and Tourette's syndrome (TS), with the goal of understanding why the two phenomena altered reactive aggression and altered cross-modality cluster together in these disorders. Our proposal is that enhanced cross-modality (necessary to support language, in particular metaphoricity) was a result, partly a side-effect, of self-domestication (SD). SD targeted the taming of reactive aggression, but reactive impulses are controlled by the same cortico-subcortical networks that are implicated in cross-modality. We further add that this biological process of SD did not act alone, but was engaged in an intense feedback loop with the cultural emergence of early forms of language/grammar, whose high degree of raw metaphoricity and verbal aggression also contributed to increased brain connectivity and cortical control. Consequently, in conjunction with linguistic expressions serving as approximations/‘fossils’ of the earliest stages of language, these cognitive disorders/conditions serve as confident proxies of brain changes in language evolution, helping us reconstruct certain crucial aspects of early prehistoric languages and cognition, as well as shed new light on the nature of the disorders. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Reconstructing prehistoric languages’.

scholarly journals Language deficits in schizophrenia and autism as related oscillatory connectomopathies: an evolutionary account

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot Murphy ◽  
Antonio Benitez-Burraco
Keyword(s):  
Language Evolution ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Language Deficits ◽  
Linguistic Feature ◽  
Evolutionary Account ◽  
Risk Alleles ◽  
Gene Sets ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Brain

Schizophrenia (SZ) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterised by marked language deficits, but it is not clear how these arise from gene mutations associated with the disorders. Our goal is to narrow the gap between SZ and ASD and, ultimately, give support to the view that they represent abnormal (but related) ontogenetic itineraries for the human faculty of language. We will focus on the distinctive oscillatory profiles of the SZ and ASD brains, in turn using these insights to refine our understanding of how the brain computes language by exploring a novel model of linguistic feature-set composition. We will argue that brain rhythms constitute the best route to interpreting language deficits in both conditions and mapping them to neural dysfunction and risk alleles of the genes. Importantly, candidate genes for SZ and ASD are overrepresented among the gene sets believed to be important for language evolution. This translational effort may help develop an understanding of the aetiology of SZ and ASD and their high prevalence among modern populations.

scholarly journals From shared to distinct self–other representations in empathy: evidence from neurotypical function and socio-cognitive disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1686) ◽  
pp. 20150083 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Lamm ◽  
H. Bukowski ◽  
G. Silani
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Shared Representations ◽  
Self And Other ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Neural Underpinnings ◽  
Emotional Representations ◽  
Affective Domains ◽  
Selective Impairment

Neuroscientific research has identified two fundamental components of empathy: shared emotional representations between self and other, and self–other distinction. The concept of shared representations suggests that during empathy, we co-represent another person's affect by engaging brain and bodily functions underpinning the first-hand experience of the emotion we are empathizing with. This possible grounding of empathy in our own emotional experiences explains the necessity for self–other distinction, which is the capacity to correctly distinguish between our own affective representations and those related to the other. In spite of the importance of these two components in empathy, several aspects still remain controversial. This paper addresses some of them and focuses on (i) the distinction between shared activations versus representations, raising the question what shared representations entail in terms of the underlying neural mechanisms, (ii) the possible mechanisms behind self–other distinction in the cognitive and the affective domains, and whether they have distinct neural underpinnings and (iii) the consequences associated with a selective impairment of one of the two components, thereby addressing their importance in mental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, psychopathy and alexithymia.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing the Success Of Autism Spectrum Disorders Overcoming

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 39-50
Author(s):  
N. Gorbachevskaya ◽  
D.S. Pereverzeva ◽  
V.Yu. Voinova ◽  
A.B. Sorokin ◽  
A.A. Koval-Zaitsev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Independent Life ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Output Characteristics

No more than 10—20% of children with autism, as becoming adults can adapt to a relatively independent life. Despite many publications dedicated to autism, relatively little work has examined the output characteristics and pathomorphosis of psychic and cognitive disorders in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Only few longitudinal studies allow us to represent what happens in later life with people who have ASD. For conducting effective correctional interventions overcomingwith children with ASD there is need to identify predictors of successful overcome of disorders. The basis for the study, conducted by a team of psychologists and neuroscientists, was the assumption that the information about the features of violations of basic neurobiological mechanisms in people with autism spectrum disorders should determine the tactics of assistance. Genetic, neurophysiological and psychological factors, causing more successful overcoming of these disorders in children are revealed.

scholarly journals The Multifaceted Roles of Primary Cilia in the Development of the Cerebral Cortex

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Hasenpusch-Theil ◽  
Thomas Theil
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Primary Cilia ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Axon Pathfinding ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Circuit Formation ◽  
Multiple Signaling ◽  
The Brain

The primary cilium, a microtubule based organelle protruding from the cell surface and acting as an antenna in multiple signaling pathways, takes center stage in the formation of the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that performs highly complex neural tasks and confers humans with their unique cognitive capabilities. These activities require dozens of different types of neurons that are interconnected in complex ways. Due to this complexity, corticogenesis has been regarded as one of the most complex developmental processes and cortical malformations underlie a number of neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, and epilepsy. Cortical development involves several steps controlled by cell–cell signaling. In fact, recent findings have implicated cilia in diverse processes such as neurogenesis, neuronal migration, axon pathfinding, and circuit formation in the developing cortex. Here, we will review recent advances on the multiple roles of cilia during cortex formation and will discuss the implications for a better understanding of the disease mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders.

scholarly journals Autism spectrum disorders – challenges and perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Tzvetkova ◽  
K Tsvetanova ◽  
M Karcheva
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Model ◽  
State Function ◽  
Behavioral Models ◽  
Special Services ◽  
The Social ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Abstract Background According the latest data of ADDM in USA one from 59 children is identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ADDM assessments of ASD frequency among children aged 8 years show that this disorder cases increased more than twice in 2012 (1:150) compared with 2002 (1:68). The survey in compliance with ASDEU program comprising 14 European countries shows ratio 1:89 among children aged 7-9 years. Methods The following methods were applied: documental (national and regional reports); C.L.A.S.S. -instrument assessing the social communication; IDC and DSM; descriptive and qualitative analysis; anamnestic data and observations. Results of a total 20 cases ranging from 2 yrs. 3 months to 4 yrs. 6 months are commented. The principles of confidentiality, correctness and professionalism were observed. Results Common features like disorders in social relations, communication, stereotype behavioral models were found among the surveyed children, as well as some specific features - adoring water 15 (75%), hyperactive 11 (55%), auto-aggressive 5 (25%), fearless in 17 (85%), lack of mutual game in 20 (100%), appearance of “synthetic language” in 6 (30%), cognitive disorders in 20 (100%). Challenges: No academic specialists for ASD therapy are trained in Bulgaria. Frequently the parents look for assistance late. Healthcare handbook - from diagnosis to the complex care, is not created yet. Perspectives: ASD items are already discussed in the sphere of human and medical education. In the sphere not reimbursed by the state function more and more NGO which offer paid social and special services and CSRI provide these services for free. Conclusions There is a change from a medical to a social model. In Bulgaria the early diagnostics, early intervention and provision of well-trained professionals are not developed sufficiently well. The increased number of disorders requires fast and adequate reaction. Key messages Autism Spectrum Disorders, Bulgaria. Challenges, perspectives.

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