Characterization of the Pathological and Biochemical Markers that Correlate to the Clinical Features of Autism. Subproject 1: The Neuropathological Markers of Abnormal Brain Development and Aging in Autism
Abstract
One brain hemisphere from 32 individuals with idiopathic autism, 12 subjects with duplications 15q11.2-q13/autism and 28 control subjects has been embedded in celloidin or polyethylene glycol, cut into serial 200 m or 50 m thick serial sections. The preserved material has been used for morphometric studies in Project 2. Application of neuropathological exclusion criteria (comorbidity, pre- and peri-mortem alterations, autolysis) reduced the risk of distortion of morphometric studies and revealed different pattern of developmental changes in autism with unknown and known etiology. The study revealed microcephaly in duplications 15q11.2-q13, heterotopias and dysplastic changes in the hippocampus in 89% of dup 15 cases (10% in idiopathic autism). Cerebral cortical dysplasia was found only in idiopathic autism (50%). The detected microcephaly, topography and severity of developmental abnormalities explained the higher risk of early onset of seizures and sudden death in dup(15). The study of developmental abnormalities in the hypothalamic nuclei and in the serotonergic system in raph nuclei revealed a severe delay of neuronal growth in structures known to have trophic functions, acting as a potential initiator/enhancer of the developmental delay detected in Project 2.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA583740
Entities
People
- Thomas Wisniewski
Organizations
- Research Foundation For Mental Hygiene