Autism Flashcards
what is the two main identifiers of Aspergers syndrome?
-impaired social interaction
-impaired restricted activity particularly focussed to inanimate objects
what is the three original main identifiers of autism? (only one differentiates aspergers to autism).
-impaired social interaction
-impaired restricted activity particularly focussed to inanimate objects
- verbal communication or reduced language skills
what type of disorder is autism?
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
What two syndromes present autistic traits but are actually mental retardation?
- Rett’s Syndrome
- Fragile X syndrome
Name some mental pervasive developmental disorders
Aspergers
Autism
PDD-NOS
Heller’s Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Fragile X syndrome
Rett’s syndrome
What are the theorised causes of autism?
-Monozygotic twins and significant sibling indicate genetic component
-Clear complex (polygenic) underpinnings
-Further enviromental interactions
what is Heller’s Childhood Disintergrative Disorder?
Normal development followed by dysfunction in many areas beyond seen in autism. Docial skills less disrupted than classic autistic. Severe decline in language skills.
What is Fragile X syndrome?
Single gene mutation in fragile X gene causes RNA binding protein to become mutated (ends up developing into a worse condition of mental retardation).
What causes Rett’s Syndrome?
Single gene mutation in MECP methylation enzyme involved in DNA binding protein.
What is DSM V?
Diagnostic and Statistical manual of mental disorders
What is the triad by which Mental disorders are acessed?
1) Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction
2)Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities as manifested
3)Symptoms must be present in early childhood but may not become fully manifest until social demands excedd limited capacities
What is the Sally Anne Test doll?
Two dolls, each with two chests with treasure inside. One is sweet and one is naughty, the naughty one steals sweet boys treasure and puts in his own chest when the sweet boy leaves. When the sweet boy comes back the psychologist asks where the sweet boy will look for his treasure.
Atypical child - will say the naughty dolls chest
What gender is autism more prevalent or more diagnosed in ?
Male population
What does it mean by females emphathise?
They do well in behavioural scores of ability to predict and respond appropriately to others (normally peoples) mental state
What does it mean by males systemise?
They predict and respond to the behaviour of nonagentive deterministic systems by predicting rules that govern the system
Whats one possible reason men are more likely to develop autism?
- men have increased white matter subserving local neuronal connections that underpin systemising the increased proportion of local circuits promote focussed behaviour
- in autistic men may underpin focussed and act against empathising nerve activity
- argues for a role in prenatal androgens exposure in mechanisms that give rise to the autistic phenotype. Androgen production does impact on early brain development.
Where in brain imaging needs to be explored for social aspects ?
Cortcal regions:
- medial frontal cortex
- temporpaieatal junction
-temporal suculus and poles
In brain imaging where would you focus on for repetitive traits?
Caudate putamen
