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.

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Apr 9th, 9:00 AM Apr 9th, 10:00 AM

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