Studies on autism have always noted that the brain of an autistic child has distinct differences within its structure, and functions, presenting a potential causal reason as to why autism exists. Among these differences are:
Autistic brains appear to be larger.
- Fluctuating levels of testosterone may be a causal link to autism.
- The amygdala, associated with feelings of fear and aggression and important for visual learning and memory, appears to be larger in autistic children.
- ‘mini-columns’ are a vertical collection of cells and connections. This is the smallest unit capable of information processing in the brain, like a microprocessor, that receives stimuli, processes information, and provides the same capability of a response. Information is transmitted through the core, and in an autistic brain they seem to be prevented from activating neighboring mini-columns by surrounding inhibitory fibers, otherwise known as interneuron projections.
- Mini-columns exist in all brains, in autistic brains, however, the number appearing is greater, causing it to function far more differently.
In essence, what all of these supposed findings seem to mean is that the leading opinion is that autism is considered now to be a disorder of the cortex. The cortex is defined as being the grey matter, the area chiefly responsible for most higher brain functions, like sensations, voluntary movement, memory, reasoning and thought.
In an autistic child, their brain develops too quickly, starting at the 12 month old stage. By the age of ten, its size is now considered to be standard, but the true difference now becomes apparent, it is definitely not wired the same as a ‘normal’ brain. The accelerated growth so early on in the child’s development is though to cause problems within the cortex, as well as other areas, so that rudimentary language and reasoning abilities become compromised.
When it was discovered that the mini-columns in an autistic brain were not only more numerous than those in a properly developed brain, they also found that they contain more brain cells than would be found after normal development. The fibers that would normally insulate these processing columns of cells is also faulty in an autistic brain, generally thinner, and less effective. This overdeveloped brain causes the autistic child to perceive things differently, process thoughts in a skewed fashion, and do not have the same ability to physically block out sensory input as a child whose brain developed at a normal rate.
The downside of early brain overdevelopment
Autism can impact the sensory, memory, motor controls, essentially anything that will require integrating information. It is no coincidence that the first symptoms of autism that appears in a child is that they are emotionally, as well as socially, delayed in their development. Both social interaction and problem solving requires a higher degree of interaction, something that cannot happen thanks to the odd development pattern of an autistic brain.
The other side of the coin
While most might feel that an autistic child lost that proverbial coin toss regarding the early development of the brain, there is actually some advantages to be had here. It is true that both communication and social skills may be compromised, however, the side of the brain that is purely visual is not compromised in the least. This means that an autistic child’s ability to process detail-oriented puzzles at an early age is off the charts! As one expert was quoted as saying, “the children in the control group, all of whom had gone through the normal developmental stages, were found to be having trouble with a particular puzzle. Basically, they could not find Waldo, but the tested autistic children could, in a matter of seconds.”
If more adults could understand exactly what is going on inside the brain of an autistic child, they might be more patient and creative when seeking a way to communicate effectively with that child. Because the processing is limited on one side, the other side has compensated, and can process details much faster than an other child of the same age. If you say less, stick to details, and do so without much emphasis on the gestures and tone of voice, they may be able to not only take what you are saying in and process, they will most likely respond in a surprising fashion. Just be prepared for a more literal translation than usual.
How this could affect future treatments
Now that we know about neuronal fibers, mini-columns of the autistic brain and their relationship to cognitive interactions, it is time to see if the information gained can lead to treatments that will alter it in a positive fashion. The work recently done by researchers like Dr. Manuel Casanova shows that the possibility of better treatments may be closer than ever before. His research into the neocortex revealed the differences between the autistic and normal brains in regards to mini-columns, and he is now hopeful that he will be able to develop such a treatment.
The proposed treatment, according to Dr. Casanova, might have the effect of lessening autistic hypersensitivity, but without affecting the creative gifts and amazing savant level abilities that many autistic people have become known for. Now that we know that mini-columns in autistic people are both smaller and less efficient than those in other brains, treatments can be developed that will directly affect that efficiency.
Autistic mini-column cells appear to be smaller than normal, and it has long been known that the efficiency can be affected by cell size. Those cells have a direct effect on how well the different parts of the brain communicate with one another, so there may be a way to increase that efficiency with new therapies. This means that activities that would require longer communication, like language, could be improved, while leaving the short term communications, like math, unimpaired.
Sensory issues and Transcranial Magnetic Therapy
According to the research, when mini-columns have smaller cells, the stimuli they receive bleed out, and move to other columns, amplifying the effect, like an overflowing glass. Casanova believes that this bleeding may be the cause of the hypersensitivity and seizures that an autistic can suffer. If there was a way to increase the insulation around these mini-columns, there may be a way to stop that sensory overflow.
Casanova’s theory states that Transcranial Magnetic Therapy could force the magnetic field within the cortex to reverse, reinforcing the insulation around each mini-column, and preventing the sensory overload. The treatment might have some minimal side effects, but it would not affect the personality, or the thought processes of the patient.
As it stands, the theory has some merit. This treatment has already enjoyed some success with illnesses like schizophrenia and chronic depression. Currently, this therapeutic treatment is being put through clinical trials to see if can be used to help patients suffering from hallucinatory voices. Dr. Casanova is eager to get the clinical trials for autism started soon, and is currently spearheading fundraising efforts to make this dream a reality.