Neurological

Diseases and
Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Before we get into ASD
Function of Amyloid Beta (beyond Alzheimers Disease)


Mattson, M. P. (1997). Cellular actions of beta-amyloid
precursor protein and its soluble and fibrillogenic derivatives.
Physiological reviews, 77(4), 1081-1132.
released from neurons in response to electrical activity and
may function in modulation of neuronal excitability, synaptic
plasticity, neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis, and cell survival.
modulates the activities of potassium channels, N-methyl-D-
aspartate receptors, and the transcription factor NF kappa B.
modulation of cell adhesion and regulation of proliferation of
nonneuronal cells.

History

Leo Kanner, 1943
Austrian born Physician,
1896-1981

Hans Asperger, 1944
Austrian Born Physician,
1906-1980
Autistic Disturbances of
Affective Contact, 1943
Autistic Psychopathy in
Childhood, 1944
DSM-5
SOCIAL COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL
INTERACTION
Socialemotional reciprocity
Nonverbal communicative behaviors
Developing and maintaining
relationships, appropriate to
developmental level

RESTRICTED, REPETITIVE PATTERNS OF
BEHAVIOR, INTERESTS, OR ACTIVITIES
Repetitive speech, motor movements,
or use of objects
Routines, rituals, resistance to change
Intense, highly restricted, fixated
interests
Sensory disturbances



DSM DOESNT CAPTURE

Onset
Early
Regression
Mixed
Prevalence
2012 CDC 1 in 88
children, 1 in 54 boys
2014 CDC 1 in 68 , 1 in
42 boys, 1 in 189 girls


ASD Symptoms
CBS News Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVgPlURSad8
The Search for Genes
Early 90s Genetic
basis of Autism
5HTT, GABA receptor
genes
Linkage studies
Twin studies revisited

Causes?
Gene-Environment Interactions
Heritable and Non-heritable Risk

Certain Medical Disorders
Siblings
Broad Autism Phenotype (Endophenotype)
Environmental Toxins
(Vaccinations)
Prenatal factors

Some Etiological Theories
Underconnectivity theory
Redox/Methylation theory
Neuroimmune theories
Extreme Male Brain theory/Female Protective Effect (FPE) Theory

The Autistic Brain
Brain development
Early brain overgrowth
Pathology
Structural
White matter
Neuroinflammation
MFG, ACC, CB
CNS Immunity
TNF-, IL-1, IL-12
Innate Immunity
Auto-antibodies
Neurotransmitter Systems
5-HT, OT
Cerebellar Pathology in Autism
A, Normal Pathology in Control Brain; B, Loss of Purkinje and Granule Cell Layer; C, Microglial Activation;
D High Magnification of B; E,F, High Magnification microglia around a purkinje, granuale cells
The Autistic Brain
Some Neural correlates
Face Processing
Emotion Recognition
Theory of Mind
Linguistic Reasoning

Fusiform Face Area
Left,functional activation map Fusiform Face Area (FFA) located within Fusiform Gyrus in
the Temporal Love
Right, FFA in Post Mortem Tissue
The Autistic Brain
Some Neural correlates
Face Processing
Emotion Recognition
Theory of Mind
Linguistic Reasoning

Theory of Mind Task Processing
Activation in right superior temporal (yellow ovals) and superior medial frontal (blue ovals) areas in
autism and control groups for the contrast of Theory of Mind processing with Random animation
processing. The t-maps are thresholded at p < .005 and an extent threshold of 6 voxels.
The Autistic Brain
Some Neural correlates
Face Processing
Emotion Recognition
Theory of Mind
Linguistic Reasoning

Animal Models
Types of Animal Models
Genetic
Lesion
Infectious
Neurochemical
Toxicity
Valproic Acid Model (VPA)*
Serotonin*
Developmental Hyperserotonemia Model (DHS)
Treatment
Behavioral Interventions
Drugs
Alternative Therapies
Perrin et al., 2012
Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network Registry
N=3,173
References
The alan mason chesney medical archives of the johns hopkins medical institutions. (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://www.medicalarchives.jhmi.edu/papers/kanner.html
Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous child, 2(3), 217-250.
National institute of neurological disorders and stroke. (2013, December 30). Retrieved
from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/detail_asperger.htm
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References
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