Neurological Abnormalities in Autism
Location
CSU 202
Start Date
9-4-2012 9:00 AM
End Date
9-4-2012 10:00 AM
Student's Major
Psychology
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Daniel Houlihan
Mentor's Department
Psychology
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
Autism is currently diagnosed based solely on behavioral observations. This can result in missing a diagnosis of someone who is on the spectrum, as well as putting someone on the spectrum that does not belong. Looking at the neurological structures of individuals with autism could lead to a more sound diagnosis of the disorder, as well as lead to clues into the cause and treatment of Autism. This review of the literate looks at the abnormalities in brain structures including the amygdala and hippocampus, corpus collosum, cerebellum, head circumference and brain volume, as well as the abnormalities in the different lobes of the brain. This review also delves into the genes implicated in an Autism diagnosis as well as identifying other known genetic disorders with behavioral similarities to Autism. Findings suggest there are signs of Autism that can lead to a diagnosis based on MRI scans; showing greater brain volume, enlarged amygdala, and hippocampus, and above average head circumference, as well as a reduction in size of the corpus collosum, cerebellum, and loss of purkinje cells. The results of this literature review indicate that there are telling abnormalities in brains of children with autism, which if developed, could lead to a diagnosis based on physical, as well as behavioral characteristics.
Neurological Abnormalities in Autism
CSU 202
Autism is currently diagnosed based solely on behavioral observations. This can result in missing a diagnosis of someone who is on the spectrum, as well as putting someone on the spectrum that does not belong. Looking at the neurological structures of individuals with autism could lead to a more sound diagnosis of the disorder, as well as lead to clues into the cause and treatment of Autism. This review of the literate looks at the abnormalities in brain structures including the amygdala and hippocampus, corpus collosum, cerebellum, head circumference and brain volume, as well as the abnormalities in the different lobes of the brain. This review also delves into the genes implicated in an Autism diagnosis as well as identifying other known genetic disorders with behavioral similarities to Autism. Findings suggest there are signs of Autism that can lead to a diagnosis based on MRI scans; showing greater brain volume, enlarged amygdala, and hippocampus, and above average head circumference, as well as a reduction in size of the corpus collosum, cerebellum, and loss of purkinje cells. The results of this literature review indicate that there are telling abnormalities in brains of children with autism, which if developed, could lead to a diagnosis based on physical, as well as behavioral characteristics.
Recommended Citation
Kramer, Melyssa. "Neurological Abnormalities in Autism." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 9, 2012.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2012/oral-session-02/2
