Neurofunctional mechanisms in autism

Author(s): Fein, D., Modahl, C.

Journal/Book: Psychol Rev. 1996; 103: 750 First St NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Amer Psychological Assoc. 457-489.

Abstract: Behavioral impairments in autism are theorized to result from abnormal neuronal organization in brain development generating 4 systemically related neurofunctional impairments: (a) canalesthesia, wherein abnormal hippocampal system function ''canalizes'' sensory records, disrupting integration of information; (b) impaired assignment of the affective significance of stimuli, wherein abnormal amygdaloid system function disrupts affect association; (c) asociality, wherein impaired oxytocin system function flattens social bonding and affiliativeness; and (d) extended selective attention, wherein abnormal organization of temporal and parietal polysensory regions yields aberrant overprocessing of primary representations. This model proposes that complex human behaviors may be guided by multiple overlapping neural mechanisms.

Note: Review L Waterhouse, Trenton State Coll, Child Behav Study, 226 Bray Hall, Trenton, NJ 08650 USA

Keyword(s): SELF-INJURIOUS-BEHAVIOR; EARLY INFANTILE-AUTISM; ASPERGERS SYNDROME; SOCIAL-BEHAVIOR; BETA-ENDORPHIN; NONVERBAL-COMMUNICATION; DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS; NALTREXONE TREATMENT; LANGUAGE-DEVELOPMENT; COGNITIVE-ABILITIES

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