The neurobiological basis of autism from a developmental perspective

Dev Psychopathol. 2002 Summer;14(3):613-34. doi: 10.1017/s0954579402003115.

Abstract

Autism is a neurobiological disorder that is diagnosed through careful behavioral assessment in early childhood. In this paper, we review recent studies that have attempted to reveal the underlying causes of autism using a variety of techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on techniques that have been used by a number of different laboratories, including structural magnetic resonance imaging and postmortem studies of neuroanatomy. Neurobiological and neuropsychological data from individuals across a wide age range are examined from a neurodevelopmental perspective. We discuss how these recent advances have led us to develop a growth dysregulation hypothesis of autism. Finally, we discuss how this hypothesis may lead to new innovations in autism research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / physiopathology*
  • Brain / abnormalities*
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Developmental Disabilities / physiopathology
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging