The neurobiology of autism spectrum disorders

Abstract Data is progressively and robustly accumulating regarding the biological basis of autism. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are currently considered a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with onset very early in life and a complex, heterogeneous, multifactorial aetiology. A comprehensive se...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European psychiatry 2014-01, Vol.29 (1), p.11-19
Main Authors: Parellada, M, Penzol, M.J, Pina, L, Moreno, C, González-Vioque, E, Zalsman, G, Arango, C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Autism
Biological and medical sciences
Child clinical studies
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - epidemiology
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - etiology
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - genetics
Developmental disorders
Genetic Variation
Humans
Infantile autism
Internal Medicine
Medical sciences
Mutation
Neurodevelopment
Neuroscience
Prevalence
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Secondary Prevention
Twins
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Summary:Abstract Data is progressively and robustly accumulating regarding the biological basis of autism. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are currently considered a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with onset very early in life and a complex, heterogeneous, multifactorial aetiology. A comprehensive search of the last five years of the Medline database was conducted in order to summarize recent evidence on the neurobiological bases of autism. The main findings on genetic influence, neuropathology, neurostructure and brain networks are summarized. In addition, findings from peripheral samples of subjects with autism and animal models, which show immune, oxidative, mitochondrial dysregulations, are reported. Then, other biomarkers from very different systems associated with autism are reported. Finally, an attempt is made to try and integrate the available evidence, which points to a oligogenetic, multifactorial aetiology that converges in an aberrant micro-organization of the cortex, with abnormal functioning of the synapses and abnormalities in very general physiological pathways (such as inflammatory, immune and redox systems).
ISSN:0924-9338
1778-3585
DOI:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2013.02.005