Advances in the neural mechanisms of social disorders in autism
10.3760/cma.j.cn371468-20240826-00390
- VernacularTitle:孤独症社交障碍神经机制研究进展
- Author:
Yan LIU
1
;
Qingqing ZHU
;
Fuli YAN
;
Xubo WU
Author Information
1. 佳木斯大学康复医学院，佳木斯 154002
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Autism;
Social disorder;
Neurotransmitter;
Neural circuit;
Function connectivity
- From:
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science
2024;33(12):1147-1152
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Social impairment is one of the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which seriously affects patients' daily life. Using optogenetics, functional magnetic resonance imaging and other techniques, significant progress has been made in the study of the anatomical structure of the brain, functional connectivity and neural circuits in ASD patients. This study reviews the latest findings on the neural mechanisms of social impairment in ASD. In terms of the structure of brain regions, patients with ASD have structural abnormalities in key brain regions such as the putamen, amygdala and nucleus accumbens, and these abnormalities may affect emotion regulation and reward processing functions.In terms of the functional connectivity of brain regions, functional connectivity abnormalities of the brain in patients with ASD may lead to dysfunctional social behaviors. Further analysis revealed that abnormalities in neural circuits involving the prefrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, hippocampus, and cerebellum were closely associated with social deficits in ASD patients. Meanwhile, abnormal synaptic function and imbalance of the neurotransmitter system are also considered to be important pathological mechanisms for social deficits in ASD patients. These findings allow for a deeper understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying social deficits in ASD patients and provide a scientific basis for developing targeted interventions to improve the social function and quality of life of ASD patients.
