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Geneva Scientists Link Autism Social Deficits to Neural Circuit Defect

Research confirms a faulty brain pathway disrupts attention shifting, impairing social interactions and cognitive development in children with ASD.

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While it is not yet possible to intervene directly on this brain network, this discovery provides a guide to behavioural interventions, in particular to reinforce children’s ability to redirect their attention from one thing to another rapidly from an early age. Credit: Neuroscience News
Young autistic boy playing with toys at home

Overview

  • University of Geneva researchers identified a defective communication pathway between the superior colliculus and ventral tegmental area in the brain as a key factor in social interaction challenges in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • The defect was validated through studies on Shank3 knockout mice, which exhibited social orientation deficits similar to those seen in children with ASD.
  • Innovative unsedated MRI protocols in young children confirmed the presence of the same neural circuit defect, enabling early prediction of cognitive outcomes.
  • Deficits in rapid attention shifting hinder the ability of children with ASD to interpret social cues, leading to broader cognitive development challenges.
  • Intensive behavioral interventions, requiring 20 hours per week over two years, have shown significant success, improving IQ scores by an average of 20 points and allowing 75% of participants to attend mainstream schools.