Abstract
Introduction: A causation model for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has not yet been firmly established Characterised by a triad of impairments in social skills, verbal communication and behaviour, the condition has been heavily linked to the male sex with some studies suggesting that the ratio is as high as 4:1 Here we analyse the structure of unaffected male and female brains demonstrating how their differences could be key to understanding the pathological mechanism underpinning the disorder.
Methods: Using ICD-10 and DSM-IV classifications we review the diagnostic characteristics which compound the condition and confirm the functional centres where these problems arise.
Results: We have been able to review the current understanding of brain mapping and demonstrate that the female brain has a more robust network in the functional areas associated with autism and can therefore provide some resistance to the neuroinflammatory component of the condition.
Conclusions: This series of data has demonstrated that the male brain may be more susceptible to the neuroinflammatory component of autism Neuroimaging of intranetworking connections has rapidly gained momentum within the field and an understanding of not only how they function as a unit but also how the innate anatomy can endure stress could play a vital role in identifying a therapeutic agent for the condition.
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Young, A., Powis, S. 670 Male Vs Female: Structural Susceptibility to Neuroinflammation.. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 341–342 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00670
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00670