Why autism must be taken apart

Waterhouse, L. and Gillberg, C. (2014) Why autism must be taken apart. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(7), pp. 1788-1792. (doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-2030-5) (PMID:24390538)

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Abstract

Although accumulated evidence has demonstrated that autism is found with many varied brain dysfunctions, researchers have tried to find a single brain dysfunction that would provide neurobiological validity for autism. However, unitary models of autism brain dysfunction have not adequately addressed conflicting evidence, and efforts to find a single unifying brain dysfunction have led the field away from research to explore individual variation and micro-subgroups. Autism must be taken apart in order to find neurobiological treatment targets. Three research changes are needed. The belief that there is a single defining autism spectrum disorder brain dysfunction must be relinquished. The noise caused by the thorny brain-symptom inference problem must be reduced. Researchers must explore individual variation in brain measures within autism.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gillberg, Professor Christopher
Authors: Waterhouse, L., and Gillberg, C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0162-3257
ISSN (Online):1573-3432
Published Online:04 January 2014

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