Characterization of the Pathological and Biochemical Markers that Correlate to the Clinical Features of Autism. Subproject 2: Contribution of Significant Delay of Neuronal Development and Metabolic Shift of Neurons to Clinical Phenotype of Autism
Abstract
Multi-regional qualitative and quantitative study of autistic subjects brains revealed a broad spectrum of developmental alterations suggesting that there is no one brain structure, neuronal population, neurotransmitter or neuropeptide defect which might be considered as the single cause of the autistic phenotype. Delay of neuronal growth, appears as a common developmental alteration detected in many brain regions. However, the study of major regulatory systems of the brain: nucleus basalis of Meynert (cholinergic system), the substantia nigra (dopaminergic system), hypothalamic NPV and NSO (oxytocin and vasopressin) suggest that the neuronal populations playing a key role in production of neurotransmitters or neuropeptides are not affected (substantia nigra) or show rather limited distortion of developmental trajectories (NBMC, NSO, NPV). However, brain structures that are regulated by these centers reveal much broader and more significant developmental delays of neuronal growth. Global pattern of developmental alterations reflects the complexity of desynchronized development of neurons, neuronal networks, and brain structures most likely contributing to the complex clinical manifestations of autism. Significant interindividual differences in pattern of qualitative developmental abnormalities, topography, and severity of delayed neuronal growth appear to be the major factors determining broad spectrum of interindividual differences observed in clinical studies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 21, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA540354
Entities
People
- Jerzy Wegiel
Organizations
- Research Foundation For Mental Hygiene