Autism Spectrum is a neurodevelopmental disorder that unfolds during the first three years of life. Its origin might be a neurobiological alteration that affects the brain
There are three important aspects about autism:
- Social interaction
- Verbal and non-verbal communication
- Interests and activities
Moreover, people with autism might develop disproportionate reactions to noise, touch, or responses to different sensory stimulations. Such reactions are often permanent. The degree of involvement and severity is different in each person. Around 62,5% among 10.000 people suffer from some form of Autism. It is four time more frequent in men than in women.
Why is this condition developed?
Genetic factors, problems during pregnancy or birth, environmental factors, metabolic imbalances, or virus, have been implicated in development of autism. Brain function, structure, and damage of neural connectivity are atypical and are revealed with brain imaging techniques (MR and computed tomography).
One of the main deficits found in this disorder has to do with the Theory of the Mind (ToM). ToM is the ability to be aware of the different points of view from other people and our own, which is necessary to unfold interaction social skills.ToM relates to the ability to attribute thoughts and intentions to other people.
ToM has two components
- Cognition: referring to the ability to comprehend someone's beliefs and perspectives
- Affection: related to the ability to comprehend someone's emotions
Prefrontal cortex, amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex, are brain areas implicated in the ToM, as shown in brain imaging techniques.
There is no available treatment at the moment to cure Autism. However, different techniques could induce subtle improvements in children if used during early years; the sooner such treatments are applied, the better the expectations are. Options for adults are less successful.
In Autism, all alterations are evident during the first three years of age, while in Asperger, among Autism Spectrum, there is no evidence of cognitive decline. In fact, most children with Asperger show high intellectual abilities.
Neurocavis offers an effective, secure and non-invasive treatment through deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) which complements Neurofeedback therapy. Electromagnetic energy pulses directed to brain circuits and neuronal networks implied in the disorder produce an improvement in psychometric tests such as Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist, in some patients.
The procedure does not require hospitalization or anesthetics. It is well tolerated, and it does not provoke secondary effects. Treatment is approved by the European Medicine Agency (EMA).
So far, dTMS has a temporal and limited effect in children without epilepsy with high cognitive functioning. Such effect is visible in irritability, attention, stereotypies, and executive functions.
Neurocavis creates added value and sustainable proposals by carrying out research protocols collaborating with public and private entities contributing with its effort to the advancement of neuroscience and the treatment of neurological and psychiatric processes.
REFERENCES
- Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Lawson, J., Griffin, R., Ashwin, C., Billington, J., et al. (2005) Empatía y sistematización en condiciones del espectro autista. En FR Volkmar, R. Paul, A. Klin y D. Cohen (Eds.), Manual de autismo y trastornos generalizados del desarrollo (3ª ed., Vol. 1, págs. 628-639). Hoboken, Nueva Jersey: Wiley.
- Gallagher, HL y Frith, CD (2003). Imagen funcional de la "teoría de la mente". Tendencias en ciencias cognitivas, 7 (2), 77-83.
- Shamay-Tsoory, SG y Aharon-Peretz, J. (2007). Redes prefrontales disociables para la teoría cognitiva y afectiva de la mente: un estudio de lesiones. Neuropsychologia, 45, 305
- ¿Es realmente válida la Estimulación Magnética Transcraneal en el tratamiento del autismo? Manuel Casanova. 21 febrero, 2017; 27931
- Brain Training to Improve Sociability and Behavior of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Children and Young Adults. August 2014. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 143 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.07.410