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The autistic syndromes are caused by neurological dysfunctions. The capacity of autistic
individuals to form representations of previous sensory impressions, useful for the
processing of present information, is impaired. Self-organizing feature maps are mathematical
models of cortical feature maps and may be used to simulate cortical processing. Dysfunctional
self-organization, resulting in disability to extract features from stimuli, is proposed
as a neural circuit theory of autism. The nature and a possible cause of dysfunctional
self-organization are examined. It is shown that impaired feature detection is valid
for explaining the memory function in autism, the lack of drive for central coherence
according to Frith's theory of autism, and a number of impairments from the diagnostic
criteria. Unequal levels of impairment of different cortical feature maps can account
for the typically uneven intelligence profile of autistic individuals. Excessive inhibitory
lateral feedback synaptic connection strengths are presented as one factor impairing
the development of feature maps. Strong or excessive inhibitory lateral feedback synaptic
connection strengths also cause high sensory discrimination and abnormal sensory responses,
both documented in autism. A neural circuit theory for autism has been presented.
For a proof of this neural circuit theory neurological investigations are required.
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Article info
Publication history
Received in revised form:
November 4,
1996
Received:
April 22,
1996
Identification
Copyright
© 1997 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc.
