The Analysis of Autism Facilitates Neuroanatomical Investigations :: Biology Essays Research Papers

The Analysis of Autism Facilitates Neuroanatomical Investigations Studying the functions of the various structures of the top dog is best carried out through analysis of brain defects. For example, individuals with autism exhibit crabby behaviors that atomic number 18 not considered normal. Assuming that behavior originates from the brain, then it becomes clear that in order to discover the causes of the abnormal behavior a comparison mustiness be made between and healthy brain and the brain of an sick person. By finding structural differences such as size and composition, the portion that the structures play in the behavior of the autistic goat be inferred eon also investigating the normal functions of brain structures. There are several(prenominal) differences between a healthy brain and the brain of an autistic person. Dr. Joseph Piven from the University of Iowa find a size difference . In the autistic brain, the cerebellum is larger and the school principal callosum is smaller. Another study showed that the amygdala and the hippocampus are different in an autistic brain. In an autistic these structures have densely packed neurons and the neurons are smaller than those in a healthy brain. Also, in the cerebellum there is a noticeable reduction in the number of Purkinje cells. Structure and function can not be separated from unity another and changes in one indicate alterations in the other. Because an autistic person has brain defects, a conjectural assumption is made that changes in structure will alter the behavior. An autistic person is characterized by having impaired social interaction, difficulty with communication both(prenominal) verbal and nonverbal, trouble with imagination, and limited activities and interests. By analyzing the abnormal behaviors of the autistic person, the roles that the cerebellum, the lead callosum, the amygdala, and the hippocampus play in the disease can be inferred. The cerebellum is usually associated with m otor movements. Concerning this topic it is interesting to note the research of Dr. Eric Courchesne. He install that the VI and VII lobes of the cerebellum were smaller in autistics than those of a normal brain. This term is called hypoplasia. The reverse condition, which is what Piven encountered, is called hyperplasia. Courchesne linked the cerebellum with attention shifting . He proposed that the autistic takes long-term time to change the focus of his attention. He believed that this condition was caused by miss of development of the cerebellum in utero caused by perhaps oxygen deprivation, infection, toxic exposure, or genetically.