Brain Anatomy, Electrophysiology and Visual Function/Perception in Children within the Autism Spectrum Disorder

Viola SG, Maino DM. Brain anatomy, electrophysiology and visual function/perception in children within the autism spectrum disorder. Optom Vis Dev 2009;40(3):157-163.

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) affects as many as one in 150 children. These individuals experience significant impairments in social interaction, communication, cognition, and behavioral functioning. Neuroimaging technologies have been utilized during the past twenty years to examine brain anatomy and physiology in individuals with autism to obtain a better understanding of the disorder. Methods: More than seventy-five published articles and papers on the topics of brain anatomy, electrophysiology, and visual function/perception in children with ASD were reviewed. Neurobiological findings include structural abnormalities in the amygdale, hippocampus, corpus callosum, frontal, temporal, and parietal cortex, and the cerebellum. Neurochemistry findings include a wide array of transmitter systems that may contribute to ASD including serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, and brain-derived neurotropic factor. There have also been several empirical demonstrations of decreased and enhanced visual abilities of individuals with autism including abilities in visual acuity, refractive error,pursuits and saccades, and strabismus. Conclusions: Individuals with ASD have numerous neuro-anatomical, neurophysiological, neuropsychological, cognitive and other anomalies that can affect the oculomotor system, vision information processing/visual perception, and the development of refractive error that may require intervention. Optometrists with experience in applying the concepts of behavioral, functional and developmental optometry to patient care should be integral members of the diagnostic and treatment team for individuals with autism.

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