Autism is not (just) a disease of the brain

[Marco]

An intriguing possibility that some of the problems associated with ASD are due to hyper sensitive peripheral nerves :

Now, scientists believe some aspects of the disorder may occur as a result of problems with nerves found in the arms, legs, hands, fingers and skin that send sensory information to the brain.

Symptoms including being sensitive to touch, having difficulties with social interaction and anxiety might be caused by defects in the sensory nerves that run through the body.

Harvard Medical School experts believe that in people with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), these sensory nerves are defective due to gene mutations.

This means the 'volume' is turned up all the way in these nerve cells, meaning touch is felt at an exaggerated, heightened level - and this can lead to anxiety and behavioural problems.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...ng-caused-nerve-problems-legs-arms-hands.html

 

[barbc56]

Would this still be neurological or is it a matter of semantics?

Wasn't there a similar study that found the same results in FM patients?

 

[Marco]

Would this still be neurological or is it a matter of semantics?

Wasn't there a similar study that found the same results in FM patients?

Well if it's affecting nerves/neurons whether peripherally or centrally then by definition it's neurological. Whether or not ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder is another issue.

It isn't clear if they consider these peripheral sensory problems to be enough to explain ASD. If present from birth it's certainly plausible that these 'sensory gating' issues could skew the development of the brain. On the other hand the same problem may also affect neurons in the brain and hence neurodevelopment - semantics again. Or of course they could be seperate and not directly related issues (perhaps downstream of something)?

You're right about FM. There have been several independent studies that have found peripheral neuropathy in a high proportion of FM patients although the researchers have been cagey about whether they consider peripheral neuropathy to be part of the pathophysiology of FM or just that a lot of folks with PN get 'misdiagnosed' with FM. If it is part of the pathophysiology though it suggests that 'central sensitisation' in FM may be sustained by ongoing peripheral stimulus rather than a central pain disorder in the absence of any persisting physical problem.

Cort Johnson had a few blogs on this : http://www.healthrising.org/blog/20...ain-research-an-fm-and-pain-researcher-talks/

 

[Battery Muncher]

Always interesting to note the many overlaps between autism and (certain) ME/CFS behaviours