Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Autism Spectrum Conditions From Childhood to Adulthood: Current Situation and Prospects

Dear Colleagues,

Behavior that is deemed or regarded to be abnormal and distressing, maladaptive, and damaging can be indicative of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Because there is no medical test for its detection, such as a blood test, the genesis of ASD is difficult to uncover, and diagnosis is based on a child's behavior and developmental history. Autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome are now all included within an ASD diagnosis in addition to numerous other conditions that were formerly diagnosed separately. Are they similar or dissimilar, or, conversely, are all people on the spectrum distinct while also possessing similar traits? It is possible that the difference between ASD and other similar conditions explains the sharp increase in its incidence. Do racial differences exist? Are there variations in the prevalence of ASD by region? What, if any, difference does breastfeeding have compared to formula? What about failure to thrive? Alcohol abuse or stress during pregnancy? How do hemisphericity and neurological asymmetries relate to ASD? Cognitive impairment and retained primitive reflexes? Developmental delays? Variations in parenting? Epigenetics?

If one were to ask the majority of psychologists, social workers, or other social service/education professionals what the primary problems in individuals "suffering" from autism or on the autism spectrum would be, one might hear of a triad of behaviors: challenges with social connectivity, eye contact, and communication. However, there is enough evidence in the non-behavioral literature to show severe physical and general health difficulties related to ASD, including currently conflicting data suggesting a link with celiac disease.

There may be a connection between ASD and autoimmune dysfunction. In this vein, there is much more work to be carried out. ASD and the immune system are linked by a number of immunological indicators, including brain antibodies, serum cytokines, family history, and immunogenetics. Numerous studies have provided immunological evidence, while others lack reliable controls. Studies on the immunological components of ASD are required. Furthermore, a dispute remains about the association with P.A.N.D.A.S./P.A.N.S.

Uncommon genetic variability and high heritability both coexist in and characterize ASD. Similarly, the majority of autoimmune diseases (AIDs) are marked by remarkable genetic variability and inheritance. Some have proposed that rather than being a large collection of dissimilar disorders, ASD and AIDs are related in that they share a common aberrant pathway. In addition, an immunological subtype of autism spectrum disorder may be a particular autoimmune condition with an early onset of a distinct set of primarily behavioral symptoms.

Numerous molecular pathways in addition to autoimmune problems are at play, offering promise for the advancement of this field of study.

What, if any, effective tools do medical and educational systems have to identify, assist, and treat individuals with ASD? Do any biomarkers exist or are there any under development?

Noticeably, during the last years, we are facing an increasing interest towards ASD in adults. Several authors are stressing how ASD presentations without intellectual disability or language development alterations may remain under-diagnosed, and patients may reach clinical attention only during adulthood, when developing other comorbid mental disorders. In particular, female-specific phenotypes of ASD may be even more difficult to detect. On the other hand, growing research is focusing not only on ASD clinical presentations, but also on sub-threshold forms and autistic traits. The interest in investigating autistic traits lies in the fact that, even when sub-threshold, they seem to play a role as a vulnerability factor towards the development of mental disorders, exerting also a detrimental role on quality of life.

It is essential to consolidate multidisciplinary knowledge in this area to provide a clearer focus given the plethora of unanswered questions.

In this framework, the aim of this collection is to gather timely and high-quality research about autism spectrum conditions during lifetime, in its clinical and sub threshold presentations. Authors are invited to submit original research articles,  review articles, case reports related to this topic, from a psychopathological, neurobiological and clinical viewpoint.

Dr. Barbara Carpita
Prof. Dr. Gerry Leisman
Collection Editors

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• autism spectrum disorder
• autistic traits
• gender differences
• dimensional psychopathology
• social camouflaging