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Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Chapter
Book cover Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCNEU))

Abstract

Autism is a developmental disorder, characterized by repetitive behaviors and by deficits in social skills and communicative abilities. Autism spectrum disorders affect 60 out of 10,000 individuals, resulting in significant costs to families and society. Neuropathological and imaging studies point to abnormalities in the limbic system and the cerebellum, and accelerated brain grown in the first 2 years of life. Abnormalities in serotonin function have been identified in affected patients and their families. Genetic studies document high concordance in monozygotic twins and genome screens have identified multiple loci as possibly associated with autism, with the strongest evidence pointing to regions 2q and 7q. Although there is a relative lack of well-controlled treatment studies, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and atypical antipsychotics are useful in the treatment of repetitive behaviors and aggression. Nonpharamacological interventions include intensive early childhood educational programs, and interventions targeted at problem behaviors and social skills improvement.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Seaver and New York Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY

    Evdokia Anagnostou MD & Eric Hollander MD

Authors
  1. Evdokia Anagnostou MD
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  2. Eric Hollander MD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

    Frank I. Tarazi PhD, MSc

  2. Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA

    Frank I. Tarazi PhD, MSc

  3. Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Univesity of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX

    John A. Schetz PhD

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© 2005 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Anagnostou, E., Hollander, E. (2005). Autism Spectrum Disorders. In: Tarazi, F.I., Schetz, J.A. (eds) Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-856-0:131

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-856-0:131

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-369-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-856-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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