SPHR 2133 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: National Autistic Society, Synaptic Pruning, Emotion Recognition
14 May 2018
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Brain Development in ASD
• Early Brain Overgrowth
o Atypically large brains
o Most pronounced period of head/brain enlargements occurs in early
postnatal periods (1-4 years)
o Prevalence of EBO affected by existing HC norms
▪ Norms biased relative to community acquired samples presenting
a pattern of early undergrowth followed by alter overgrowth
o Greater number of neurons or glial cells
• Cortical Volume ( gray matter)
o Cortical volume : product of cortical thickness and surface area
o Surface based methods allow quantification of CT and SA
o Genetic influences are largely non-overlapping
• Cortical Thickness
o Peak in cortical thickness in mid-late childhood followed by thinning:
reflect synaptic pruning
o ASD: early cortical thickening followed by swift and accelerated thinning
▪ Accelerated thinning in temporal and occipital areas
▪ Age related thinning
o Faster thinning in left posterior fusiform in ASD
▪ More impaired facial emotion recognition using morphing faces
task
▪ Parent rating of executive function problems
• Cortical Growth
o Early thicker cortex in ASD followed by premature thickness peak and
accelerated cortical thinning
• Connectivity
ASD in adulthood and aging
• Most people with ASD are adults and are undiagnosed
• More likely to be male
• Live in more deprived areas, social housing, lower verbal IQ levels
• Some older adults may not want to welcome a diagnosis
• Why?
o First recognized in 1940s
o Seen as childhood disorder
o Diagnosis in adulthood is difficult
• National Autistic Society
o Founded in 1962 by parents of children with ASD
o Initial focus on childhood and education
o Growing concern regarding aging with ASD
o Key aims
▪ Raise awareness of issue
▪ Support for professionals
▪ Practical support for individuals
▪ Raise issue of siblings
▪ Influencing change
o Practical resources
▪ Professionals
• Online professional community
find more resources at oneclass.com
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