Asperger Research Articles

The Girl in the Book: a screenplay on child abuse, personality dysfunction and recovery - of interest to not only psychiatry.

The Girl in the Book is a screenplay of interest to mental health professionals. It is a 2015 cinematic achievement written and directed by Marya Cohn. It stands at par with ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ by Milos Foreman, ‘Rainman’ by Barry Levinson, and ‘As Good As It Gets’, directed by James L. Brooks – educational about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Asperger syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Serum Tryptophan, Tryptophan Catabolites and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Subgroups of Youngsters with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

There is evidence that changes in neuro-immune responses coupled with dysfunctions in serotonin metabolism underpin the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study aimed to delineate whether ASD subgroups or characteristics show aberrations in tryptophan and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) metabolism. 65 individuals with ASD (diagnosed according to ICD criteria) and 30 healthy control patients were included. Measured were serum levels of tryptophan, kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KA), quinolinic acid (QA), BDNF and PRO-BDNF and total blood 5-HT and 5-OH-tryptophan (5-HTP). Elevated BDNF levels and lower tryptophan and KA levels were characteristics of both childhood autism and intellectual disability disorder, whilst elevated tryptophan and lower 5-HT synthesis were hallmarks of Asperger syndrome. A pathological MRI was associated with elevated tryptophan and lowered KA. Abnormal EEG results and dysmorphology were both associated with an elevated BDNF/ PRO-BDNF ratio. Any brain pathology and gastro-intestinal symptoms were accompanied by lowered KA. Increased BDNF production and changes in the metabolism of tryptophan are associated with many ASD characteristics, showing particularly strong associations with childhood autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Peripheral BDNF and tryptophan metabolism appear to take part in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders and their phenotypes.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 Compared to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV.

Objectives:The objective of this study was to investigate the concordance of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV and DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 170 subjects (age range: 3–23, 140 boys) with developmental delay or social deficit from January 2011 to July 2016 at the Department of Psychiatry of Asan Medical Center. The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), and intelligence tests were performed for each subject. Diagnosis was reviewed and confirmed for each subject with DSM-IV Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) and DSM-5 ASD criteria, respectively.Results:Fifty-eight of 145 subjects (34.1%) who were previously diagnosed as having PDD in DSM-IV did not meet DSM-5 ASD criteria. Among them, 28 (48.3%) had Asperger’s disorder based on DSM-IV. Most algorithm scores on ADOS and all algorithm scores on ADI-R were highest in subjects who met both DSM-IV PDD criteria and DSM-5 ASD criteria (the Convergent group), followed by subjects with a DSM-IV PDD diagnosis who did not have a DSM-5 ASD diagnosis (the Divergent group), and subjects who did not meet either DSM-IV PDD or DSM-5 ASD criteria (the non-PDD group). Intelligence quotient was lower in the Convergent group than in the Divergent group.Conclusion:The results of our study suggest that ASD prevalence estimates could be lower under DSM-5 than DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Further prospective study on the impact of new DSM-5 ASD diagnoses in Koreans with ASD is needed.

Prevalence of Autism/ASD in the Capital City of Oslo, Norway

The prevalence of autism/autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been increasing across the world. Previous studies in Norway reported, that the prevalence rate for 0-10-year-old children is 1 in 166, and in the case of 11-year-old children it is 1 in 125. Moreover, another nationwide study discovered, that 1 in 192 males and 1 in 695 females between the age of 1-16 years had autism in Norway in the year 2016. This study is underpinned by the data from the National Patient Registry (NPR) for registered incidences of autism/ASD (ICD-10: F84.0 Childhood autism and F84.5 Asperger syndrome). The results show that the prevalence rates of autism/ASD in the capital city of Oslo increased from 2012 to 2016 and the number of children with autism/ASD doubled during this period. Furthermore, in 2016 the results revealed that that 1 in 349 males and 1 in 1594 females between the age of 1-5 years old had Autism/ASD. Similarly, among the age group of 6-16 years, 1 among 157 males and 1 among 544 females had autism/ASD in the capital city of Oslo in 2016. These findings suggest a ‘school-age-effect’ in the increase of prevalence rates among the school-age children compared to the preschool-age children. In the following study, the results are presented and discussed along with some suggestions for the educational and healthcare authorities.

Psychiatric comorbidity in persons with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders: Findings from a tertiary care neuropsychiatric hospital.

The literature on co-morbid psychiatric illnesses in adults with high-functioning autism (HFA) spectrum disorder is sparse. To examine the nature of psychiatric comorbidity and treatment response in adults with HFA spectrum disorder. Case records of subjects (age ≥17 years) who presented over a period of 16 years with primary psychiatric symptoms and further detected to have an HFA spectrum disorder, were analyzed. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) along with near normal to normal verbal communication and general intelligence were considered as HFA spectrum disorders. 33 subjects met the study criteria. Nine subjects (27%) were diagnosed to have an underlying Asperger's syndrome and the rest 24 (73%) had pervasive developmental disorders unspecified (PDD NOS). None of the subjects were diagnosed to be suffering from ASD prior to the visit to our hospital. Mean age at the time of psychiatric consultation was 22.7 (s.d=4.8) years and mean age at the onset of psychiatric comorbidity was 16.48 (s.d=4.4) years. Nearly half of the sample had more than one type of psychiatric illness. Most common lifetime psychiatric diagnosis was obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (n=16, 48.4%). Bipolar disorder (BD) was the second most common type of psychiatric manifestation (n=13, 39.3%) followed by psychotic spectrum disorders (n=9, 27.2%). Overall response to treatment was minimal. Individuals with HFA spectrum disorders suffer from multiple psychiatric comorbidities. OCD is the most common type of psychiatric comorbidity followed by BD and psychotic spectrum disorders. Comorbid psychiatric illnesses in individuals with HFA show poor response to treatment.

The effect of autism diagnostic labels on the stigma of university students towards peers with asperger syndrome and autism spectrum disorder

The effect of autism diagnostic labels on the stigma of university students towards peers with asperger syndrome and autism spectrum disorder

Sex Hormones Regulate SHANK Expression.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have a higher prevalence in male individuals compared to females, with a ratio of affected boys compared to girls of 4:1 for ASD and 11:1 for Asperger syndrome. Mutations in the SHANK genes (comprising SHANK1, SHANK2 and SHANK3) coding for postsynaptic scaffolding proteins have been tightly associated with ASD. As early brain development is strongly influenced by sex hormones, we investigated the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17β-estradiol on SHANK expression in a human neuroblastoma cell model. Both sex hormones had a significant impact on the expression of all three SHANK genes, which could be effectively blocked by androgen and estrogen receptor antagonists. In neuron-specific androgen receptor knock-out mice (ArNesCre), we found a nominal significant reduction of all Shank genes at postnatal day 7.5 in the cortex. In the developing cortex of wild-type (WT) CD1 mice, a sex-differential protein expression was identified for all Shanks at embryonic day 17.5 and postnatal day 7.5 with significantly higher protein levels in male compared to female mice. Together, we could show that SHANK expression is influenced by sex hormones leading to a sex-differential expression, thus providing novel insights into the sex bias in ASD.

Specyfika komunikacji werbalnej i niewerbalnej dziecka z zespołem Aspergera w kontekście odgrywanej przez nie roli ucznia i kolegi

Communication is one of the most important elements of human existence, because man as a social being strives to communicate with others. Communication skills influence the degree of acceptance of the person by other members of the community and help to achieve success in various aspects of life and social roles. The article focuses on the analysis of communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, of a child with Asperger syndrome (AS). The purpose of this article is to show the specific way in which people with Asperger syndrome communicate, which makes it difficult for them to find themselves in the school community – being a good pupil and a good colleague.

Środowisko szkoły w narracjach uczniów z zespołem Aspergera – wnioski z badań

The article addresses the subject of social functioning of a student diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in the environment of a mass education school, in his subjective opinion. Methodologically speaking it is based on qualitative studies and the aim of the research was to reach subjective significance given by the students with Asperger Syndrome to this institution and understanding the role it plays for them.

Changes and Growth of Asperger Syndrome Children and Parents Participating in Social Skills Training Program

Changes and Growth of Asperger Syndrome Children and Parents Participating in Social Skills Training Program

Reexamining Suicidal Ideation and Clinical Disorders in Adolescents Diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome: Linking the Riddle and the Enigma

Reexamining Suicidal Ideation and Clinical Disorders in Adolescents Diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome: Linking the Riddle and the Enigma

Intervention on reading comprehension: an approach designed for students with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS)

Este artigo reporta um dos resultados de um estudo que examinou a compreensão leitora em adolescentes e jovens adultos com Síndrome de Asperger (SA). O estudo foi conduzido na cidade de Fortaleza, região nordeste do Brasil, com 6 estudantes que já concluíram o Ensino Fundamental I. Mais especificamente, o referido estudo teve seu foco na investigação e melhoria da compreensão leitora de adolescentes e jovens adultos com SA através de um programa de intervenção baseado em estratégias metacognitivas, tendo como base a abordagem conciliadora de leitura. Adotamos o modelo de leitura proposto por Kintsch e Van Dijk (1983), que apresenta a compreensão de leitura como um processo dinâmico, online e estratégico. Além disso, nos baseamos na ideia de Solé (1998) para abordar as estratégias básicas de leitura. Os resultados apresentados neste artigo são um recorte da pesquisa citada, apontam que atividades de ensino com instruções explícitas que sugiram um caminho a ser seguido durante a leitura, servindo como uma espécie de guia de leitura e estimulando o aluno a refletir acerca de seus conhecimentos, de sua compreensão e que o levem ao automonitoramento constituem um meio seguro para minorar as dificuldades de compreensão leitora de pessoas com SA.

Cognition sociale dans la schizophrénie et les troubles du spectre de l’autisme : points de convergences et différences fonctionnelles

IntroductionSchizophrenia and autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) are two neurodevelopmental disorders that have different symptom presentations, ages of onset and developmental courses. Both schizophrenia and ASD are characterized by marked deficit in communication, social interactions, affects and emotions. Social cognitive impairments in ASD and schizophrenia were demonstrated separately in both disorders. It was reported that these impairments have direct relation with social deficits of both disorders. The apparent similarity between social cognition impairments in ASD and schizophrenia highlights questions about the existence of common or different neurocognitive mechanisms related to social dysfunctions. In order to examine these questions, the present article provides a comprehensive review of all published studies which directly compare individuals with ASD and schizophrenia on the same cognitive tasks of social cognition. MethodsThe article search was made on Pubmed, PsycInfo and ScienceDirect, with the items: “autism”, “Asperger syndrome”, “schizophrenia”, “social cognition”, “theory of mind”, “emotional processing”, “social perception”, “attributions style”. All published studies which compared individuals with ASD and schizophrenia, (diagnosed according to DSM-IV (APA, 1994) criteria and IQ≥70), included control group were considered. The cognitive tasks were categorized according to four domains of social cognition defined by SCOPE (Pinkham et al., 2013): theory of mind (ToM), emotional processing (EP), social perception (SP) and attributional style/bias. The results were analyzed in terms of performances, cognitive profile and patterns of neural activations. Twenty-one published studies and two meta-analytic reviews were analyzed. ResultsCognitive performance analysis confirms the convergence of abnormalities of people with autism and people with schizophrenia on 1st and 2nd order theory of mind, emotion processing and social perception. Quantitative results show reduced performance in ASD compared to SZ and Ct groups. Differences were observed between ASD and SZ regarding social situation comprehension, visual orientation and visuospatial exploration strategies, and attributional style highlighting different strategies on intentional process. Brain imaging studies show that people with autism present a reduced cerebral activity in several key regions of theory of mind (cingulate regions, superior temporal sulcus, paracentral lobule), and emotional treatment (primary and secondary somatosensory regions), while people with SZ exhibit an inappropriate increased activity in these regions. ConclusionThe present revue of the studies which directly compare individuals with ASD and schizophrenia on different domains of social cognition indicates that both disorders exhibit differences and similarities with regard to behavioral performances. Results in neuroimaging indicate different neurocognitive mechanisms underlie apparently similar social-cognitive impairments. Further studies are needed to better explore and describe divergent neurocognitive mechanisms in ASD and schizophrenia in order to provide treatment and remediation methods that take into account the specificities of neurocognitive processes in the two disorders.

Childhood narcolepsy and autism spectrum disorders: four case reports

BackgroundChildhood narcolepsy is associated with various emotional, behavioural and cognitive dysfunctions as well as with psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders: anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and psychosis. A relationship between these conditions is unclear – comorbidity or similar pathophysiological mechanisms can be suggested. ObjectiveWe reported four children with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – Asperger syndrome (AS). Results and ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge co-occurrence of NT1 and AS has not been described in the literature as noted in this report.

What medicine can learn from pediatrics: A mother's perspective

As a mother of a young adult child with Aspergers syndrome, as well as being a long-term patient myself (liver transplant in 2005), I have extensive experience in both camps. Recently my 20-year old son was admitted to a children’s hospital for a twisted colon that had to be surgically reduced. As the parent of a child with special needs and related physical health-related issues connected to him being on the autism spectrum, I was naturally very concerned about him entering a hospital (perhaps PTSD based on my own experience at moments). Surprising to me, the experience was a very positive one. There were many "practices" I noticed among the nurses and physicians that reduced anxiety, embarrassment and overall stress amongst their young patients and family members who were there for them that ranged from signs on the door, the way they communicated with patient and parent(s), to the manner in which they explained the diagnosis, course of action or treatment and recovery time. All of these concepts or practices could easily be applied to treating adult patients as well. This article will shed light on ways pediatric medicine can positively impact the way we treat all people of all ages who are ill and hospitalized.

Subtyping the Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comparison of Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome

Since Hans Asperger’s first description (Arch Psych Nervenkrankh 117:76–136, 1944), through Lorna Wing’s translation and definition (Psychol Med 11:115–129, 1981), to its introduction in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM, 1994), Asperger Syndrome has always aroused huge interest and debate, until vanishing in the DSM fifth edition (2013). The debate regarded its diagnostic validity and its differentiation from high functioning autism (HFA). The present study aimed to examine whether AS differed from HFA in clinical profiles and to analyze the impact of DSM-5’s innovation. Differences in cognitive, language, school functioning and comorbidities, were revealed when 80 AS and 70 HFA patients (3–18 years) were compared. Results suggested that an AS empirical distinction within autism spectrum disorder should be clinically useful.

Medical Aspects of Autism and Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

Medical Aspects of Autism and Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

Diagnostic tests for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preschool children.

Diagnostic tests for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preschool children.

Disorders of the autistic spectrum: asperger syndrome and its repercussion in academic performance

This research based on social, health and especially educational reality, involves us professionally in view of the fact that the majority of professional people, especially teachers, are not familiar with autism spectrum disorder, specifically with Asperger's Syndrome. and they may come to think that a child with an autistic ability behaves in a different way, and they find it difficult to interact with other classmates, therefore this may be difficult to understand conventional social rules and may seem of little importance for society, people with Asperger Syndrome (SA), in English Asperger syndrome (AS), have an average IQ and are likely to have teaching and learning problems like those who do not, however, have their learning needs They may be different from those of other children. Asperger's syndrome is a type of autism. Autism affects the way in which a person interprets the language, communicates and socializes. Until 2013, this syndrome used to be considered a condition in itself, with its own diagnosis. From that moment on, the guide used by doctors, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, commonly known as DSM-5, changed the classification of Asperger's syndrome.

Síndrome de Asperger: flexibilidad cognitiva, teoría de la mente, y lenguaje expresivo y comprensivo. Aportaciones al perfil neuropsicológico

Objetivo. caracterizar el desempeño neuropsicológico en flexibilidad cognitiva, ToM, lenguaje comprensivo y expresivo en niños diagnosticados con Síndrome de Asperger. Método. estudio de tipo no experimental de carácter descriptivo, con veinte sujetos diagnosticados con SA entre los seis y dieciséis años de edad de la ciudad de Manizales (Colombia). Los instrumentos utilizados para evaluar la flexibilidad cognitiva, la ToM y el lenguaje comprensivo y expresivo han sido el subtest de flexibilidad cognoscitiva de la Evaluación Neuropsicológica Infantil (ENI), la batería de Baron-Cohen de falsas creencias de primer y segundo orden, las subpruebas de semejanzas, vocabulario y comprensión del WISC-IV y la subprueba de composición narrativa de la ENI. Resultados. los niños con SA obtuvieron puntajes promedios inferiores a la norma en todas las variables, sin embargo, los resultados tanto en ToM de segundo orden, flexibilidad cognitiva y lenguaje expresivo tienden a evolucionar de manera positiva en el rango de edad de once a dieciséis años. Conclusiones. se evidencia que independientemente del proceso evolutivo, continúa permaneciendo la dificultad en el desempeño de lenguaje comprensivo y falsas creencias de primer orden en los niños con este trastorno.