The Etiology of Autism Essay -- Psychology Neurology Disorders autisti

The Etiology of AutismAutism is a syndrome that is characterized by the impairment of social fundamental interaction skills, verbal and nonverbal communication, and a decreased interest in dynamic in a variety of activities. In 1943, Kanner, the man who is attributed with the identification of this disease, hypothesized that autism index be a biological disorder as opposed to a psychological one. Numerous studies have been conducted supporting Kanners hypothesis. These studies have ranged from examining the effects of rubella to investigating certain purine metabolic disorders as possible aetiologic agents. Recently, the areas of neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and genetic science have played a crucial role in developing a clearer picture into the etiology of this disease. Upon exploring the biological aspects of autism, the field of neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and genetics have offered new insights concerning their association with the onset of this disease. Neuroanatomy is one o f the latest fields involved in uncovering the possible causes of autism. Many past studies conducted in this area found that sick patients had enlarged lateral ventricles, however, this abnormality didnt reveal any damage to a specific anatomical site. The most recent studies conducted on the cerebella of autistic patients showed much more dramatic results. In one specific experiment conducted by Dr. Courchesne, the cerebellar lobules of eighteen autistic patients were compared with the lobules of twelve subjects within a normal control group. The eighteen autistic patients were chosen on the basis that their autistic state was ... not abstruse by severe mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, genetic abnormality, other neurologic dise... ... R. S. and B. H. Herman. A Novel Biochemical Model Linking Dysfunctions in Brain Melatonin, Proopiomelanocortin Peptides, and serotonin in Autism. Biological Psychiatry, 28773-793, 1991. Courchesne, E. et. al. Hypoplasia of Cerebellar Vermal Lobules VI and VII in Autism. New England Journal of Medicine, 3181349-1354, May 26, 1988. Gillberg, C. et. al. Monozygotic Female Twins With Autism and the ticklish X Syndrome (AFRAX). J. Child Psychol. Psychiat., 29(4) 447-451, 1988. Herman, B. H. and Panksepp, J. Effects of Morphine and naloxone on well-disposed Attachment in Infant Guinea Pigs. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behaviour, 9213-220, 1978. Lowenstein, P. R. et. al. Effects of Naloxone on the Nocturnal Rise of Rat Pineal Melatonin Content. Eur. J. Pharmacol., 9826 Reiss, A. L. et. al. Autism and Genetic Disorders. Schizophrenic Bulletin.12(4) 724-38, 1986.