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Asperger syndrome

One of the autistic spectrum disorders; high-functioning autism. To be integrated with autistic spectrum disorder in DSM5. Genetics: 1) mutations in gene for neuroligin 4 (X-linked) 2) mutations in gene for neuroligin 3 (X-linked) Cinical manifestations: - inability to understand how to interact socially - commonly recognized after the age of 3 - NOT associated with marked early language delay (in contrast with autism) - clumsy & uncoordinated motor movements - limited interests or unusual preoccupations - repetitive routines or rituals - speech & language peculiarities - non-verbal communication problems - most have few facial expressions - many have excellent rote memory - may become intensely interested in one or two subjects (sometimes to the exclusion of other topics) - may talk at length about a favorite subject - may repeat a word or phrase many times - tend to be self-absorbed - have difficulty making friends - preoccupied with their own interests Complications: - increased risk for development of - psychosis - mood disorders - depression - increased risk of suicidal ideation in adults (RR=10) [3] - anxiety - Adam Lanza, who fatally shot his mother followed by 20 children and 6 staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012 in Newtown Connecticut had been previously diagnosed with Asperger syndrome Management: - no specific course of treatment or cure - intranasal oxytocin 24 IU (frequency ?) may improve social interaction & eye contact [1] - psychotherapy - parent education & training - behavioral modification - social skills training - educational interventions - pharmaceutical agent for specific behavioral symptoms Prognosis: 1) children have a better outlook than those with other forms of pervasive developmental disorders 2) most cases, patients continue to demonstrate difficulties in social interactions

Related

autism (autistic spectrum disorder, ASD)

General

pervasive developmental disorder; autism spectrum disorder (ASD) syndrome

Database Correlations

OMIM correlations

References

  1. Andari E et al. Promoting social behavior with oxytocin in high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010 Mar 2; 107:4389 PMID: 20160081 http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0910249107
  2. Stump S Adam Lanza's father: I wish he had never been born. Today News. March 10, 2014 http://www.today.com/news/adam-lanzas-father-wishes-he-could-go-back-time-prevent-2D79346468?GT=43001
  3. Cassidy S et al Suicidal ideation and suicide plans or attempts in adults with Asperger's syndrome attending a specialist diagnostic clinic: a clinical cohort study. The Lancet Psychiatry, Early Online Publication, 25 June 2014 PMID: 26360578 http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(14)70248-2/abstract
  4. NINDS Asperger Syndrome Information Page https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Asperger-Syndrome-Information-Pagem