Compulsivity and Autism

Question 1

How many people with autism have ADHD?

Answer 1

50%

Question 2

What are the core impairments in overlapping symptoms of ADHD & ASD?

Answer 2

Self-regulation (impulsivity)
Inhibition
Attention

Question 3

What are 3 characteristics of ASD?

Answer 3

deficits in:
Reciprocal social interaction
communication
restricted, repetitive & stereotyped patterns of behaviors, interests and activities

Question 4

What are the 4 neurotransmitters associated with compulsivity?

Answer 4

Decreased serotonin in frontal cortical levels
Dopaminergic overactivity in basal ganglia
Glutamate & GABA dysregulation in frontal areas

Question 5

What does Slitrk5 deficiency in mice impair?

Answer 5

Corticostriatal circuitry -> leads to obsessive-compulsive-like behaviours in mice

Question 6

What 4 things are important in reversal learning?

Answer 6

1. error detection
2. suppress what you’ve learnt before
3. overcome learned avoidance
4. acquisition of new association

Question 7

What 4 things can you measure in reveral learning?

Answer 7

Performance (% correct)
Trials to criterion
Response latencies (correct/incorrect)
Perseverative score

Question 8

What is BDNF?

Answer 8

Growth factor that affects synaptic plasticity

Question 9

What hormone leads to impaired learning & inflexibility?

Answer 9

Dysregulated insulin/IGF-1 signalling

Question 10

What gene is associated with OCD?

Answer 10

BTBD3