scholarly journals Electroencephalography in Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Milovanovic ◽  
Roberto Grujicic
Keyword(s):  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Quantitative Eeg ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Gabaergic Interneuron ◽  
Behavioral Impairment ◽  
Epileptiform Discharges ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Neurochemical Changes

Electroencephalography (EEG) can further out our understanding of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) neurophysiology. Epilepsy and ASD comorbidity range between 5 and 46%, but its temporal relationship, causal mechanisms and interplay with intellectual disability are still unknown. Epileptiform discharges with or without seizures go as high as 60%, and associate with epileptic encephalopathies, conceptual term suggesting that epileptic activity can lead to cognitive and behavioral impairment beyond the underlying pathology. Seizures and ASD may be the result of similar mechanisms, such as abnormalities in GABAergic fibers or GABA receptor function. Epilepsy and ASD are caused by a number of genetic disorders and variations that induce such dysregulation. Similarly, initial epilepsy may influence synaptic plasticity and cortical connection, predisposing a growing brain to cognitive delays and behavioral abnormalities. The quantitative EEG techniques could be a useful tool in detecting and possibly measuring dysfunctions in specific brain regions and neuronal regulation in ASD. Power spectra analysis reveals a U-shaped pattern of power abnormalities, with excess power in the low and high frequency bands. These might be the consequence of a complicated network of neurochemical changes affecting the inhibitory GABAergic interneurons and their regulation of excitatory activity in pyramidal cells. EEG coherence studies of functional connectivity found general local over-connectivity and long-range under-connectivity between different brain areas. GABAergic interneuron growth and connections are presumably impaired in the prefrontal and temporal cortices in ASD, which is important for excitatory/inhibitory balance. Recent advances in quantitative EEG data analysis and well-known epilepsy ASD co-morbidity consistently indicate a role of aberrant GABAergic transmission that has consequences on neuronal organization and connectivity especially in the frontal cortex.

scholarly journals Region-specific elevations of glutamate + glutamine correlate with the sensory symptoms of autism spectrum disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason L. He ◽  
Georg Oeltzschner ◽  
Mark Mikkelsen ◽  
Alyssa Deronda ◽  
Ashley D. Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Primary Sensorimotor Cortex ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Inhibitory Signaling

AbstractIndividuals on the autism spectrum are often reported as being hyper- and/or hyporeactive to sensory input. These sensory symptoms were one of the key observations that led to the development of the altered excitation-inhibition (E-I) model of autism, which posits that an increase ratio of excitatory to inhibitory signaling may explain certain phenotypical expressions of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). While there has been strong support for the altered E-I model of autism, much of the evidence has come from animal models. With regard to in-vivo human studies, evidence for altered E-I balance in ASD come from studies adopting magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Spectral-edited MRS can be used to provide measures of the levels of GABA + (GABA + macromolecules) and Glx (glutamate + glutamine) in specific brain regions as proxy markers of inhibition and excitation respectively. In the current study, we found region-specific elevations of Glx in the primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1) in ASD. There were no group differences of GABA+ in either the SM1 or thalamus. Higher levels of Glx were associated with more parent reported difficulties of sensory hyper- and hyporeactivity, as well as reduced feed-forward inhibition during tactile perception in children with ASD. Critically, the finding of elevated Glx provides strong empirical support for increased excitation in ASD. Our results also provide a clear link between Glx and the sensory symptoms of ASD at both behavioral and perceptual levels.

ASD, SUD and gender

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s882-s883
Author(s):  
P.J.M. Van Wijngaarden-Cremers
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Substance Abuse Disorder ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Very High

IntroductionAutism and substance use disorder (SUD) is not the co-morbidity that is commonly considered. Yet these conditions have more commonalities than one would suspect.ObjectiveWe will consider the evidence for co-morbidity between ASD and Addiction (Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and explore the influence of gender.MethodA pilot study of 80 admissions to an adult ASD unit will be presented.ResultsThe co-morbidity ASD and SUD in this study was very high (65% of the inpatients). There were no gender differences in prevalence in total but addiction to medication (32% in woman vs. none in man) and eating disorders (24% in women vs. 9% in man) was far more common in women whereas addiction to drugs (13% in man vs. none in women) was far more common in man.ConclusionsThere are clear indications that a possible co-morbidity of substance abuse disorder should be considered in cases of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. There are no gender differences in prevalence of co-morbidity ASD and SUD in total but addiction to medication and eating disorders seems to be much more common in women whereas addiction to drugs probably more common in man.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Recent developments in neuropathology of autism spectrum disorders

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dora Polšek ◽  
Tomislav Jagatic ◽  
Maja Cepanec ◽  
Patrick Hof ◽  
Goran Šimić
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Abnormal Development ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
1H Mrs ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Neurochemical Changes

AbstractAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interactions, abnormal development and use of language, and monotonously repetitive behaviors. With an estimated heritability of more than 90%, it is the most strongly genetically influenced psychiatric disorder of the young age. In spite of the complexity of this disorder, there has recently been much progress in the research on etiology, early diagnosing, and therapy of autism. Besides already advanced neuropathologic research, several new technological innovations, such as sleep functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (1H-MRS) divulged promising breakthroughs in exploring subtle morphological and neurochemical changes in the autistic brain. This review provides a comprehensive summary of morphological and neurochemical alterations in autism known to date, as well as a short introduction to the functional research that has begun to advance in the last decade. Finally, we mention the progress in establishing new standardized diagnostic measures and its importance in early recognition and treatment of ASD.

Oxytocin and Vasopressin: Mechanisms for Potential Sex Differences Observed in Autism Spectrum Disorders

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Sue Carter ◽  
Suma Jacob
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Arginine Vasopressin ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Unique Role ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
And Behavior

The effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on the brain and behavior can be sexually dimorphic, especially during the course of development (Bales, Kim, et al., 2004; Bales, Pfeifer, et al., 2004; Bales, Plotsky, et al., 2007; Bielsky et al., 2005a; Carter, 2003; Thompson et al., 2006; Yamamoto et al., 2005; Yamamoto et al., 2004). Given the sexual discrepancy observed in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), these two neuropeptides, oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), have received attention for their potential role in ASDs (Green and Hollander, 2010; Insel et al., 1999; Leckman & Herman, 2002; Welch et al., 2005; Winslow, 2005; Young et al., 2002). Changes in either OT or AVP and their receptors could be capable of influencing symptom domains or behaviors associated with ASDs. Arginine vasopressin is androgen dependent in some brain regions (De Vries & Panzica, 2006), and males are more sensitive to AVP, especially during development. We hypothesize here that AVP, which has a unique role in males, must be present in optimal levels to be protective against ASDs. Either excess AVP or disruptions in the AVP system could play a role in development of the traits found in ASDs. In contrast, OT may possibly be secreted in response to adversity, especially in females, serving as a protective factor.

scholarly journals Brain Network Organization Correlates with Autistic Features in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders and in Their Fathers: Preliminary Data from a DWI Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Billeci ◽  
Calderoni ◽  
Conti ◽  
Lagomarsini ◽  
Narzisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Local Network ◽  
Network Organization ◽  
Frontal Pole ◽  
Structural Network ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that is characterized by an altered brain connectivity organization. Autistic traits below the clinical threshold (i.e., the broad autism phenotype; BAP) are frequent among first-degree relatives of subjects with ASD; however, little is known regarding whether subthreshold behavioral manifestations of ASD mirror also at the neuroanatomical level in parents of ASD probands. To this aim, we applied advanced diffusion network analysis to MRI of 16 dyads consisting of a child with ASD and his father in order to investigate: (i) the correlation between structural network organization and autistic features in preschoolers with ASD (all males; age range 1.5–5.2 years); (ii) the correlation between structural network organization and BAP features in the fathers of individuals with ASD (fath-ASD). Local network measures significantly correlated with autism severity in ASD children and with BAP traits in fath-ASD, while no significant association emerged when considering the global measures of brain connectivity. Notably, an overlap of some brain regions that are crucial for social functioning (cingulum, superior temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, frontal pole, and amygdala) in patients with ASD and fath-ASD was detected, suggesting an intergenerational transmission of these neural substrates. Overall, the results of this study may help in elucidating the neurostructural endophenotype of ASD, paving the way for bridging connections between underlying genetic and ASD symptomatology.

scholarly journals HEALTH CONDITION IN PERSONS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Trajkovski
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Food Allergies ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are behaviourally defined syndromes where the etiology and pathophysiology are not very well understood. If the child has been diagnosed with autism, parents already face special behavioural challenges. What makes ASD even more difficult, are the many other medical health issues that often arise in this population.The purpose of this article is to summarise the latest understanding of autism’s commonly associated physical and mental health conditions.Methods: An analysis of relevant literature, sources from the internet and published literature, personal experience and observations of the author.Recent findings: Autism is a disorder of the whole body. It is often in co-morbidity with: epilepsy, gastrointestinal disorders, neuro-inflammation and immunological disorders, asthma, eczema, sleep disturbances, eating and feeding disorders, food allergies, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), headaches, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Fragile X syndrome, intellectual disability, nonverbal learning disorder, motor clumsiness, Tourette syndrome, sensory problems, tuberous sclerosis, oxidative stress, acquired mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities. Many of the issues outlined here can overlap each other.Conclusions:Improved understanding of the underlying pathology of ASD and associated conditions, and the development of a common purpose across multiple treating sites, can improve the consistent and coordinated healthcare of children with autism. There is need for the development of improved strategies for delivering effective health education and healthcare to this large population. Improving the ability of these persons to lead relatively independent lives has a great economic impact.

Altered Cerebellum Spontaneous Activity in juvenile Autism Spectrum Disorders Associated with Cognitive Functions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinglun Li ◽  
Xiu Chen ◽  
Ruwen Zheng ◽  
Ai Chen ◽  
Yan Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Spontaneous Activity ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spontaneous Brain Activity ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Mechanistic Basis ◽  
Normal Controls

Abstract BackgroundAutism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopment disorder. The cerebellum has been reported to be one of the key regions involved in ASD. However, the associations between the cerebellum and clinical traits remain unclear. MethodsHere we performed Amplitude of Low Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF) analysis to detect the alterations of brain spontaneous activity in ASDs and explore the associations between spontaneous brain activity and clinical traits. ResultsCompared with normal controls, cerebellum crus 2 showed significantly weaker average ALFF values. Other regions such as left cerebellum 6, cerebellum vermis 4 5, putamen, SMA and thalamus showed increased mean ALFF values. In ASD patients with SRS total score T above 59, the mean ALFF values of cerebellum vermis 4 5 was significantly correlated with SRS total score T (r=0.175, P=0.031), SRS cognition score T (r=0.169, P=0.036) and SRS motivation score T (r=0.176, P=0.028).ConclusionsThese findings were not observed in other brain regions and in normal controls. Our study suggests a role of cerebellum in cognitive impairments in ASD and supports a mechanistic basis for the targeted treatment of ASD disorders.Trial registrationNot applicable.

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