 |
|
The New Neurobiology of AutismCortex, Connectivity, and Neuronal Organization
Nancy J. Minshew, MD;
Diane L. Williams, PhD
Arch Neurol. 2007;64(7):945-950.
This review covers a fraction of the new research developments in autism but establishes the basic elements of the new neurobiologic understanding of autism. Autism is a polygenetic developmental neurobiologic disorder with multiorgan system involvement, though it predominantly involves central nervous system dysfunction. The evidence supports autism as a disorder of the association cortex, both its neurons and their projections. In particular, it is a disorder of connectivity, which appears, from current evidence, to primarily involve intrahemispheric connectivity. The focus of connectivity studies thus far has been on white matter, but alterations in functional magnetic resonance imaging activation suggest that intracortical connectivity is also likely to be disturbed. Furthermore, the disorder has a broad impact on cognitive and neurologic functioning. Deficits in high-functioning individuals occur in processing that places high demands on integration of information and coordination of multiple neural systems. Intact or enhanced abilities share a dependence on low information-processing demands and local neural connections. This multidomain model with shared characteristics predicts an underlying pathophysiologic mechanism that impacts the brain broadly, according to a common neurobiologic principle. The multiorgan system involvement and diversity of central nervous system findings suggest an epigenetic mechanism.
Author Affiliations: Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Minshew); and Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh (Dr Williams).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
RELATED LETTERS
No New Neurobiology Yet for Autism
John Robert Skoyles
Arch Neurol. 2008;65(1):155.
EXTRACT
| FULL TEXT
No New Neurobiology Yet for Autism—Reply
Nancy Minshew and Diane L. Williams
Arch Neurol. 2008;65(1):155-156.
EXTRACT
| FULL TEXT
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Alterations in Frontal Lobe Tracts and Corpus Callosum in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Kumar et al.
Cereb Cortex 2009;0:bhp278v1-bhp278.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Integration in Autism
Shalom
Neuroscientist 2009;15:589-598.
ABSTRACT
Relationship Between Cingulo-Insular Functional Connectivity and Autistic Traits in Neurotypical Adults
Di Martino et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2009;166:891-899.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Lmo4 and Clim1 Progressively Delineate Cortical Projection Neuron Subtypes during Development
Azim et al.
Cereb Cortex 2009;19:i62-i69.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
How does visual thinking work in the mind of a person with autism? A personal account
Grandin
Phil Trans R Soc B 2009;364:1437-1442.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Mirror Neuron System
Cattaneo and Rizzolatti
Arch Neurol 2009;66:557-560.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Neuropsychological Profile of Autism and the Broad Autism Phenotype
Losh et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009;66:518-526.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Dysconnection in Schizophrenia: From Abnormal Synaptic Plasticity to Failures of Self-monitoring
Stephan et al.
Schizophr Bull 2009;35:509-527.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
No New Neurobiology Yet for Autism
Skoyles
Arch Neurol 2008;65:155-155.
FULL TEXT
No New Neurobiology Yet for Autism Reply
Minshew and Williams
Arch Neurol 2008;65:155-156.
FULL TEXT
Buspirone for Autistic Disorder in a Woman with an Intellectual Disability
Brahm et al.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2008;42:131-137.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
