Understanding Autism

Introduction

Everyone’s brain works in different ways. Some may be visual learners, whilst others prefer to learn audibly. Some may prefer to study with classical music, others hard rock, or some may not even listen to music at all. The anatomy of our brain shapes our preferences in almost everything, and those differences are amplified with autism. So let's dive into the neurobiology of autism and what it looks like.

The cause of Autism- MidSagittal Corpus Callosum

The cause of autism has long been debated and questioned. However, it is generally accepted that there is no definite factor leading to autism, but rather a plethora of different contributors that can cause autistic behaviors. (The following information is simply primary factors that are associated with autism, but in no way are guaranteed diagnoses to autism, nor are they the only contributors to autism.) Autism is mainly a genetic disorder, where hundreds of genes have been linked to autism susceptibility. This includes agenesis of the corpus callosum (Prigge et al.). The Midsagittal corpus callosum or MCC, is a bundle of nerve fibers, often referred to as intrahemispheric (Cleveland Clinic). It takes this title because it is situated between the two hemispheres of the brain, which is how it coordinates and communicates bodily functions and motions between the two hemispheres. Agenesis or failure of development of the MCC, in individuals, can lead to autistic behavior, with ⅓ of individuals with AgCC (agenesis of the corpus callosum) fitting the criteria for autism diagnosis (Prigge et al.). This tells neuroscientists that there is a link between autism and the MCC.

The Association Cortex

Furthermore, according to PubMed Central, autism is a disorder of the association cortex. The association cortex refers to regions of the brain that integrate and relay emotional, cognitive, and behavioral information throughout the brain (Purves et al.). PubMed Central states that autism is not only a disorder of the association cortex, but also its neurons and projections (Minshew and Williams). This adds to the indication that autism is a failure of connectivity in different brain regions.

Behaviors

While approximately 1 in 44 American children are diagnosed with autism, everyone exhibits the behaviors differently, which is why it is vital to avoid overgeneralizing the behaviors of autism (“Yale School of Medicine”). Some individuals respond intensely to audible or visual stimuli, whilst others may feel inclined to establish strict routines and rituals, becoming severely distressed by minor changes. Communication can also be stressful. To combat the conflicts in communication, it is necessary to avoid conflating social communication and social interaction. They may also find it challenging to interpret body language and intonations in speech (“Yale School of Medicine”). Appreciating these inabilities to decipher body language cues and actions, can help combat challenges in communication.

Conclusion 

To conclude a variety of different factors can contribute to autism, whether it be the projections of neurons, synapses, or a dysfunction of the MCC. Whatever the cause is, it is imperative that we learn and appreciate the differences of others. Not everyone’s brain works in the same way, and being considerate of that is important.

Works Cited

Backman, I. (2022, January 26). The Biology Behind Autism Spectrum Disorder. Medicine.yale.edu. https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/yale-researcher-seeks-to-understand-the-biology-behind-autism-spectrum-disorder/

Purves, D., Augustine, G. J., Fitzpatrick, D., Katz, L. C., LaMantia, A.-S., McNamara, J. O., & Williams, S. M. (2001). The Association Cortices. Neuroscience. 2nd Edition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11109/

Prigge, Molly B.D., et al. “Corpus Callosum Area in Children and Adults with Autism.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, vol. 7, no. 2, Feb. 2013, pp. 221–234, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2012.09.007.

Cleveland Clinic. “Corpus Callosum: What It Is, Function, Location & Disorders.” Cleveland Clinic, 19 Aug. 2024, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/corpus-callosum.

Minshew, Nancy J., and Diane L. Williams. “The New Neurobiology of Autism.” Archives of Neurology, vol. 64, no. 7, 1 July 2007, p. 945, https://doi.org/10.1001/archneur.64.7.945.

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