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Lack of 'Mirror Neurons' Linked to Autism
FruFox writes "A recent study has pointed to a possible link between autism and lack of so-called 'mirror neurons' , either physically or functionally. This provides the first solid physical evidence to back up the theory that autism's root cause is a profound lack of empathy. This probably impacts the world of Asperger's Syndrome as well. Many Slashdot readers are undoubtedly familiar with the world of Asperger's / autism."
Is there a link between these 'mirror neurons' and schizophrenia? Schizophrenia and autism are very similar in symptoms and epidemiology. Indeed, many researchers I know (unofficially) call autism "juvenile schizophrenia."
After all, I am strangely colored.
If I recall correctly, mirror neurons are associated with imitation and self-visualization. Somehow, this meshes well with the idea of autistics lacking "higher level abstraction" abilities. Specifically, mirror neurons provide a means of abstracting the idea of self. Let me explain.
I've read that in some parts of the autistic brain, "layers" of neurons are connected directly to each other, such that every neuron in a particular layer is connected to every other neuron in the next layer. However, in normal brains, a third layer exists between pairs of layers. In this way, normal brains require fewer synaptic connections, but longer axonal pathways (i.e. a given signal takes longer to be processed, but may travel through internal layers which modify and abstract features from outer layers).
This property is theorized to give rise, in some autistics, to "idiot savant" abilities; such individuals often excel at a particular skill or set of skills (such as multiplying large numbers together very quickly). For example, one might be able to multiply 5 digit numbers together in a couple of seconds. However, because of the lack of inter-layers which allow for abstractions (and possibly understanding/comprehension of the processed information), the same person may have no concious concept of the numerical value of real world things.
(( (CRAYON) )) >
A Neurology journal article on the anatomy of Asperger's, as seen from fMRI scans
Another neurology article, on the anatomy of Autism, as seen from fMRI scans
The research at the Institute of Psychiatry, by Professor Declan Murphy is beginning to indicate that autism affects the frontal and mid-sections of the brain, whereas Aspergers appears to affect the frontal sections only. Nonetheless, other studies (not linked to here) have shown that those with asperger's have an elevated probability of having autistic children. In other words, there's good evidence they share mechanisms BUT there is also good evidence that autism outside of Asperger's involves additional mechanisms that are NOT present in Asperger's.
I asked the IoP about research on Asperger's and autism a while back, and they pointed me to the following lecture (which does not appear to be on the web anywhere):
Frith U. (2004) Emanuel Miller lecture: confusions and controversies about Asperger syndrome. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry & Allied Disciplines. 45(4):672-86, 2004 May
I hope this information is useful, trivially interesting or even interestingly trivial, depending on perspective.
It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
He is a nice guy - outgoing and cheerful, just like most people with Aspergers. If you talk to him long enough, he simply starts looping over and over about every 20 minutes on the same sequence of subjects. He's very smart -- he can list off the businesses that have occupied any given corner or strip mall (and he tends to as you drive around), but he can't find his way home unless it's the same way he drove there.
People hear that and think "I know somebody like that", or even "that's like me", but don't realize how profound the level of these symptoms are. He speaks about his dead cat in present tense because that's how he always has spoken about her. He literally cannot comprehend that somebody is lying to him. He threw a superbowl party with GI Joe tablecloths because that's how his parties were decorated when he was a little kid.
People (other than hypochondriacs) never forget where their keys are and then leap to conclude that they have a chronic and fatal disease like ALS. People seldom talk to themselves and then self-diagnose schizophrenia. Lately however, it seems like it has become very trendy in certain geek circle to decide you have Aspergers or a "light case" of Aspergers.
If they spent time with people living in facilities with legitimately diagnosed Aspergers, they might reconsider their self-diagnosis. You might reconsider it being an "attack on the intelligent" and more of a bizarre confusion regarding what the mental disorder entails.
--
Evan
"$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
I have Aspergers. Things like "misinterpretations of literal/implied meanings" are often misattributed qualities of scale. Someone can be "literal", but still be a neurotypical.
My wife can ask me to do a simple task -- such as "Please put Nicole's shoes on" (she's our 3 year old daughter). If I don't stop, rewind the tape in my head and THINK -- I respond to what she SAID. Not what she meant. I'll say: "Her shoes wont fit me". It should be painfully obvious to an NT what my wife is asking -- to take my daughters shoes and have my daughter wear them. But not necessarily to someone with Asperger's. I had to LEARN the difference and it does NOT come naturally to me.
Here's the "twist". This "literal/implied meaning" problem with *ME* ONLY applies to auditory language. NOT to written language. In fact, much of the 'courtship' of my wife was done in writing (I can write some pretty romantic stuff, too... at least enough to get one hell of a foxy chick to marry a misfit like me -- heh).
Other symptoms can also be of various degrees, such as "stimming". My need to stim is very powerful. It manifests itself as constant foot or toe movement. Not really observable with my shoes on and not very socially distracting. I even do it in my sleep. It used to drive my wife crazy, but she got used to it.
Obsessions can be particularly debilitating. Mine are fairly benign (history -- early US history in particular but I have a fondness of early European history, too). I also have a few others, but as long as I can spend an hour or two a day pursuing them, I'm satisfied and I can function. If I don't, I have a PHYSICAL reaction. I can't think straight. I cant function and I start to babble about the subject to anyone (even myself) and I can be quite an insufferable bore to be around. Who the eff cares about a particular topic discussed between Adams and Jefferson in letters exchanged in the twilight of their lives? I mean, other than me?
But you are and the GP are right, many "self diagnosed" Asperger's are really NTs. It was once suggested to me that we're ALL "on the spectrum" to some degree or another and I can kind of see this. But if you put a bunch of professionally diagnosed AS with the self-diagnosed -- trust me... you'll see a difference.