Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-x5gtn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-13T08:04:57.633Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Autism and autistic-like disorders: the hypothalamic-pituita-ry-adrenal system as a model for research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

L.M.C. Jansen
Affiliation:
Onderzoeksschool Rudolf Magnus Instituut, Afdeling Kinder- en Jeugdpsychiatrie, Universiteit van Utrecht, Academisch Ziekenhuis
C.C. Gispen-De Wied*
Affiliation:
Onderzoeksschool Rudolf Magnus Instituut, Afdeling Kinder- en Jeugdpsychiatrie, Universiteit van Utrecht, Academisch Ziekenhuis
H. Van Engeland
Affiliation:
Onderzoeksschool Rudolf Magnus Instituut, Afdeling Kinder- en Jeugdpsychiatrie, Universiteit van Utrecht, Academisch Ziekenhuis
*
Academisch Ziekenhuis Utrecht, Hp A01.126, Postbus 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht

Summary

In this article an overview is given of the differential diagnosis of autism and autistic-like disorders. The diagnosis of the so-called ‘Multiple Complex Developmental Disorders’ (MCDD) as a distinct entity is discussed in relation to autism and schizophrenia.

Biological research and the relevance of results until recently are discussed. Finally, the importance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system (HPA system) as a model for research is proposed. Research on the flexibility of this system may contribute in understanding the ways of stress processing in disorders like autism, MCDD and schizophrenia.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literatuur

1.Kanner, L. Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nerv Child 1943; 2: 217–50.Google Scholar
3.Rutter, M. Childhood schizophrenia reconsidered. J Autism Child Schizophr 1972; 2: 315–38.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Gaag, RJ van der. Multiplex Development Disorder. An exploration of borderlines on the autistic spectrum. Utrecht, proefschrift, 1993.Google Scholar
8.Siegel, B, Anders, TF, Ciaranello, RD, Bienenstock, B, Kraemer, HC. Empirically Derived Subclassification of the Autistic Syndrome. J Autism Dev Disord 1986; 16: 275–93.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Cohen, DJ, Paul, R, Volkmar, FR. Issues in the Classification of Pervasive and Other Developmental Disorders: Toward DSM-IV. J Am Acad Child Psychiatry 1986; 25(2): 213-20.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Wolff, S, Townshend, R, McGuire, RJ, Weeks, DJ. ‘Schizoid’ personality in childhood and adult life. I, II and III. Br J Psychiatry 1991; 159: 620-35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Watkins, JM, Asarnow, RF, Tanguay, PE. Symptom development in childhood-onset schizophrenia. J Child Psychol Psychiatr 1988; 29: 865-78.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21.Engeland, H van, Gaag, RJ van der. MCDD in childhood: a precursor of schizophrenic spectrum disorders. Schizophrenia research 1994; 11: 197.Google Scholar
22.Gillberg, C, Coleman, M. The biology of the autistic syndromes. London: Mac Keith Press, 1992.Google Scholar
23.Rutter, M, MacDonald, H, Le Couteur, A, Harrington, R, Bolton, P, Bailey, A. Genetic Factors in Child Psychiatric Disorders-II. Empirical Findings. J Child Psychol Psychiatr 1990; 31: 3983.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
39.Young, JG, Kavanagh, ME, Anderson, GM, Shaywitz, BA, Cohen, DJ. Clinical Neurochemistry of Autism and Associated Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 1982; 12: 147–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
41.Cohen, DJ, Caparulo, BK, Shaywitz, BA, Bowers, MB. Dopamine and Serotonin Metabolism in Neuropsychiatrically Disturbed Children. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1977; 34: 545–50.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
42.Gillberg, C, Svennerholm, L, Hamilton-Hellberg, C. Childhood Psychosis and Monoamine Metabolites in Spinal Fluid. J Autism Dev Disord 1983; 13: 383–96.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
46.Panksepp, J. A neurochemical theory of autism. TINS 1979; 2: 174–7.Google Scholar
60.De Kloet, ER. Endocrinologische aspecten van de stressrespons. Tijdschr NVKC 1988; 13: 61–7.Google Scholar
61.Hol, T. Short-term isolation after weaning selectively alters behavioral and neuroendocrine reactions to stress during adulthood in rats. In: Disturbed social behaviour in rats: social isolation and endogenous opioids. Utrecht, proefschrift, 1994; 105-22.Google Scholar
62.Fride, E, Dan, Y, Feldon, J, Halevy, G, Weinstock, M. Effects of prenatal stress on vulnerability to stress in prebubertal and adult rats. Physiol Behav 1986; 37: 681–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
64.Breier, A. A.E. Bennett award paper. Experimental approaches to human stress research: assessment of neurobiological mechanisms of stress in volunteers and psychiatric patients. Biol Psychiatry 1989; 26: 438–62.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
67.Richdale, AL, Prior, MR. Urinary Cortisol circadian rhythm in a group of high-functioning children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord 1992; 22: 433–47.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
68.Hoshino, Y, Yokoyama, F, Watanabe, M, Murata, S, Kaneko, M, Kumashiro, H. The Diurnal Variation and Response to Dexa-methasone Suppression Test of Saliva Cortisol Level in Autistic Children. Jap J Psychiatr Neurol 1987; 41: 228–35.Google Scholar
74.Yamazaki, K, Saito, Y, Shitara, M, Togashi, H, Yamashita, K. Neuroendocrinological study on autistic children. Jap J Child Adolesc Pychiatry 1971; 12: 275–86.Google Scholar
78.Prior, MR. Biological and Neuropsychological Approaches to Childhood Autism. Br J Psychiatry 1987; 150: 817.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
80.Kirschbaum, C, Hellhammer, DH. Salivary Cortisol in psychoneu-roendocrine research: recent developments and applications. Psy-choneuroendocrinology 1994; 19: 313–33.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
81.Breier, A, Wolkowitz, OM, Doran, AR, Bellar, S, Piekar, D. Neurobiological Effects of Lumbar Puncture Stress in Psychiatric Patients and Healthy Volunteers. Psychiat Res 1988; 25: 187–94.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed