Biological Explanations ASD Flashcards

1
Q

Szamatari (1991) family study sibling concordance rate findings

A

With siblings - 2.2%
Without siblings - 0.11%
-20x greater risk of developing ASD if you have a sibling with ASD

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2
Q

Bailey et al. (1995) twin study findings

A

After widening definition:
MZ - 92%
DZ - 10%

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3
Q

Definition of multiplex family

A

More than 1 family member has ASD

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4
Q

Definition of simplex family

A

Only 1 person in family has ASD/characteristics

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5
Q

How is ASD caused in simplex families?

A

De novo mutation (a variant that arises in fertilised egg itself during early embryogenesis)

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6
Q

Role of the amygdala

A

Part of the limbic system involved with fear and emotional processing, also associated with memory and connections to the prefrontal cortex

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7
Q

What does the amygdala dysfunction explanation suggest?

A

Amygdala has faulty emotional processing in those with ASD

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8
Q

What did Nordhal et al. (2012) find?

A

At two years of age children of 2 have larger amygdala growth than normal (6-9%), but there is no growth difference in late adolescence/early adulthood.

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9
Q

How does abnormal amygdala overgrowth damage functioning?

A

Overgrowth results in growth of other connected areas being obstructed, impairing their functioning too

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10
Q

How does Baren-Cohen (2000) link amygdala overgrowth to ASD?

A

Since there are neural connections to the frontal cortex (decision and behaviour), abnormal development is a causal factor in social/behavioural deficits, linking to difficulty in understanding the emotional expression of others

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11
Q

Supporting Example - Baren-Cohen (2000) - eye task

A

Adults with ASD matched with control group.
Presented with photos that only showed the eyes of a person making different facial expressions.
Pps asked to identify the expression shown.
Brain activity measured in an MRI scanner.
ASD group performed significantly worse, and the left amygdala was not activated at all in ASD but strongly in controls.

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