1. Bambini-Junior V, Rodrigues L, Behr GA, Moreira JC, Riesgo R, Gottfried C. {{Animal model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproate: Behavioral changes and liver parameters}}. {Brain Res};2011 (Jun 12)
Autism is characterized by behavioral impairments in three main domains: social interaction; language, communication and imaginative play; and range of interests and activities. This syndrome has attracted social attention by its high prevalence. The animal model induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) has been proposed to study autism. Several characteristics of behavioral abnormalities found in the VPA rats, such as repetitive/stereotypic-like activity and deficit in social interaction have been correlated with autism. Features like flexibility to change strategy, social memory and metabolic status of the induced rats have not been examined. Thus, the main aim of this work was to investigate additional behavioral rodent similarities with autism, as well as, liver redox parameters after prenatal exposure to VPA. Young rats from the VPA group presented aberrant approach to a stranger rat, decreased conditioned place preference to conspecifics, normal spatial learning and a lack of flexibility to change their strategy. As adults, they presented inappropriate social approach to a stranger rat, decreased preference for social novelty, apparently normal social recognition and no spatial learning deficits. Examination of the liver from the VPA group presented significantly increased (12%) levels of catalase (CAT) activity, no alteration in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and a decrease in the SOD/CAT ratio. TBARS, sulfhydril and carbonyl contents, and serum levels of aminotransferases remained unchanged. In summary, rats prenatally exposed to VPA presented decreased flexibility to change strategy and social impairments similar to the autism symptoms, contributing to the understanding of neurodevelopmental symptoms and oxidative imbalance associated to the autism spectrum disorder.
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2. Kuenssberg R, McKenzie K, Jones J. {{The association between the social and communication elements of autism, and repetitive/restrictive behaviours and activities: A review of the literature}}. {Res Dev Disabil};2011 (Jul 16)
Research continues to try and pinpoint the etiological role of particular genes and brain structure in autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), but despite a host of biological, genetic and neuropsychological research, the symptom profile of pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) are not yet linked to etiological theory. Debate continues around whether or not there is one single dimension that incorporates the three criteria domains of social difficulties, communication deficits and repetitive or restrictive interests and behaviours as a unitary ‘ASD’ concept, or whether PDD as they are currently described represent the co-occurence of separate sub-domains of developmental difficulties. Although the three criteria need to be met for a diagnosis of PDD to be made, the association between them remains unclear. This review highlights that the majority of the literature that looks at the triad of impairments suggests the symptom structure does not match that proposed by diagnostic manuals, and that the triad may no longer fit as the best way to conceptualise ASD.
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3. Nonaka M, Usuda R, Suzuki T, Hashimoto T, Hatakeyama T, Sato S, Soda H, Tomita Y, Kinoshita T, Ishida Y, Hataya K. {{[Benign tracheal stenosis treated by T-tube in a patient with autism; report of a case]}}. {Kyobu Geka};2011 (Jul);64(7):599-601.
A female with autism, aged over 40 years, who had been hospitalized in a nursing home, developed descending necrotizing mediastinitis requiring tracheostomy. Subsequently, tracheal stenosis was observed. She was referred to our hospital. T-tube therapy was selected, and there has been no recurrence during the 3-year follow-up. We report a patient in whom a T-tube was useful for treating benign tracheal stenosis in the presence of autism.
4. Rinehart NJ, Cornish KM, Tonge BJ. {{Gender differences in neurodevelopmental disorders: autism and fragile x syndrome}}. {Curr Top Behav Neurosci};2011;8:209-229.
Gender is an important factor to consider in understanding the clinical presentation, management, and developmental trajectory of children with neuropsychiatric disorders. While much is known about the clinical and neurobehavioural profiles of boys with neuropsychiatric disorders, surprisingly little is known about girls. The aim of this chapter was to review our understanding of gender by considering the most prevalent childhood onset neuropsychiatric disorders, autism and Fragile X syndrome. This chapter highlights findings which suggest that girls with autism and Fragile X syndrome show some unique differences in cognitive and clinical profiles when compared to boys with these conditions; this may indicate the need for innovative assessment and management approaches which take gender into consideration. Our understanding of how differences emerge in boys and girls with neuropsychiatric disorders is unclear, future research needs to focus on the role of biological maturation rates, sex hormones, and psychosocial factors in order to progress this field.
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5. van Ommeren TB, Begeer S, Scheeren AM, Koot HM. {{Measuring Reciprocity in High Functioning Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Jul 20)
Few instruments have been developed that measure impairments in reciprocity, a defining feature of autism. We introduce a new test assessing the quality of reciprocal behaviour: the interactive drawing test (IDT). Children and adolescents (n = 49) with and without high functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD) were invited to collaborate with an experimenter in making a joint drawing. Within both groups the performance on collaborative reciprocity improved with age. However, compared to the control group, HFASD participants showed less collaborative and more basic reciprocal behaviour and preferred to draw their own objects. They were less tolerant of the experimenter’s input as well. Performance on the IDT was independent of estimated verbal IQ. Reciprocal behaviour in self-initiated objects corresponded with more parental reported autistic traits, while reciprocal behaviour in other-initiated objects corresponded with less autistic traits. The findings of this study suggest that IDT is a promising instrument to assess reciprocity.
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6. Williams EL, Casanova MF. {{Autism or autisms? Finding the lowest common denominator}}. {Bol Asoc Med P R};2010 (Oct-Dec);102(4):17-24.
Previous studies suggest the presence of a minicolumnopathy in autism. Minicolumnar abnormalities as well as certain migratory and proliferative defects, common to autism, may be rooted in the general mechanics of periventricular germinal cell division and maturation. Increased numbers of periventricular germinal cell/radial glia can be mimicked by a variety of different transgenic mouse models and environmental factors. These murine models and environmental factors illustrate how a fairly homogenous neuroanatomical phenotype can diverge at the genetic level. By first defining the lowest common denominator (i.e., the minicolumn) and then examining which pathways are vulnerable to involved genetic and environmental factors, we may gain a greater understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying Autism Spectrum Conditions.
7. Yano H, Matsumoto H. {{A case of pervasive developmental disorder complicated by social anxiety disorder responding well to fluvoxamine therapy}}. {Tokai J Exp Clin Med};2011;36(2):44-46.
We recently encountered a patient with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS), in whom complication by social anxiety disorder (SAD) was diagnosed at age 19, and who responded well to fluvoxamine therapy. The patient was a 19-year, 10-month-old male. He first visited our department at the age of 11 years and 3 months with the chief complaint of maladaptive behavior at school, when he was diagnosed as having PDDNOS. He was subsequently managed as an outpatient, with symptomatic alleviation in response to treatment. Recently, he visited our department again with the chief complaint of phobia of eye contact with other people. Based on the diagnosis of PDDNOS complicated by SAD, fluvoxamine therapy was initiated, which resulted in alleviation of the phobia against his own glance. Our experience with this case suggests that treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be effective in patients with PDDNOS complicated by SAD. Further study of patients with PDD associated with SAD, including evaluation of drug therapy, in additional cases is warranted.
