Asperger syndrome overview

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shakiba Hassanzadeh, MD[2]

Overview

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a category of neurodevelopmental disorders with problems in social communication/interaction and restricted and repetitive behaviors/interests. According to the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) released by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 2013, Asperger Syndrome (AS) goes under a spectrum of disorders called 'Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)'.[1] Asperger Syndrome is named after Hans Asperger, an Austrian physician. He was the first to describe and separate Asperger Syndrome from autism and called it 'autistic psychopathy' which later became known as Asperger Syndrome.

Historical Perspective

Asperger Syndrome (AS) is believed to be first described as ‘autistic psychopathy’ in German by Hans Asperger.[2][3] He distinguished his cases from autism which later became known as 'Asperger's Syndrome'.[4] In 1981, Lorna Wing published Asperger’s works in English.[5] In 1994, DSM-4 classified Asperger Syndrome (AS) as a subtype in the category of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). In 2013, DSM-5 combined 4 of the 5 subtypes of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) under the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) category.[6]

Classification

According to the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) released by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 2013, Asperger Syndrome (AS) is in the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) category.[1] Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a category of neurodevelopmental disorders in DSM-5 with problems in social communication/interaction, restricted and repetitive behaviors/interests.

Pathophysiology

The exact pathophysiology of Asperger Syndrome is unknown, however some neuroimaging and neuropsychological studies have reported some findings.[7][8]

Causes

The exact cause of Asperger (AS) is unknown. Many factors including genetics, family history of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and enviornmental factors such as older parental age, prematurity, low birth weight and pregnancy complications have been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

Epidemiology and Demographics

Prevalence rates for Asperger Syndrome ranges from 0.03 to 4.84 per 1,000 in different studies.[2] In 2014, the overall prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) was estimated to be 16.8 per 1,000 children aged 8 years.[16] The male to female prevalence ratio for ASD is approximately 4 to 1.[16] The estimate for ASD prevalence was 7% and 22% higher among white children compared to black and Hispanic children respectively.[16]

Risk factors

Several risk factors associated with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and austim spectrum disorder (ASD) are: male gender, older parental age, family history of austim spectrum disorder (ASD), prematurity, low birth weight and pregnancy complications.[16][12][11][10][17][15]

Screening

Screening instruments for Asperger Syndrome include: Autism Screening Questionnaire (ASQ), Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Autism Spectrum Screening uestionnaire (ASSQ) and diagnostic instruments for Asperger Syndrome include: Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale (ASDS), Gilliam Asperger’s Disorder Scale (GADS) and Asperger Syndrome (and high-functioning autism) Diagnostic Interview (ASDI).[8]

Natural history, complications and prognosis

It is believed that 20% of Asperger Syndrome patients 'grow out’ of their disorder and and do not meet the diagnostic criteria as adults, whereas many other patients improve.[18] Diagnosis of AS is often delayed and sometimes done in adulthood.[19] Social impairment is lifelong.[20] Early diagnosis and intervention in patients with AS may improve adaptation and adjustment of the child.[19] Asperger Syndrome (AS) is associated with several conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (most common in pediatric patients)[21], depression (most common in adolescent and adult patients)[21][22] and anxiety disorders.[22]

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

The Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) released by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is used for the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (AS).[1]

History and Symptoms

Several symptoms may be seen in Asperger Syndrome (AS) with impairments in social interaction, communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors and interests being the most important. There may be impairments in motor and sensory functions, speech, language and.sleep.

Physical examination

The most common clinical signs in Asperger Syndrome (AS) are impairments in social communication and repetitive behaviors.

Laboratory findings

Routine laboratory testing is not recommended.[23]

Other diagnostic studies

Routine neuroimaging, electroencephalography (EEG) and genetic testing are not recommended in patients with Asperger Syndrome (AS).[24][23]

Treatment

Medical therapy

Medical treatments used in Asperger Syndrome include: stimulants, a-2 adrenergic agonists, atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants and anticonvulsants. Many studies believe that medications alone can not improve Asperger Syndrome's (AS) symptoms and other complementary interventions (social and behavioral) are required.[25]

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapies in Asperger Syndrome (AS) are used to help the patients with their social communication and to develop social skills.[8]

Cost-effectiveness of therapy

Based on a prevalence of 1.1 % for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the US, the economic burden for ASD has been estimated to be $268.2991 billion (1.467% of GDP) and $460.8002 billion (1.649% of GDP) in 2015 and 2025 respectively.[26]

Future or investigational therapies

There have been some experimental therapy and suggestions such as oxytocin and treatment with stem cells in patients with Asperger Syndrome (AS).[25]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders : DSM-5. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association. 2013. ISBN 0890425558.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Asperger H (1938). "Das psychisch abnormale Kind". Wien Klin Wochenschr (in German). 51: 1314–7.
  3. Hippler K, Klicpera C (2003). "A retrospective analysis of the clinical case records of 'autistic psychopaths' diagnosed by Hans Asperger and his team at the University Children's Hospital, Vienna". Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 358 (1430): 291–301. doi:10.1098/rstb.2002.1197. PMC 1693115. PMID 12639327.
  4. Wing L (1981). "Asperger's syndrome: a clinical account". Psychol Med. 11 (1): 115–29. doi:10.1017/s0033291700053332. PMID 7208735.
  5. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders : DSM-5. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association. 2013. ISBN 0890425558.
  6. Faridi F, Khosrowabadi R (2017). "Behavioral, Cognitive and Neural Markers of Asperger Syndrome". Basic Clin Neurosci. 8 (5): 349–359. doi:10.18869/nirp.bcn.8.5.349. PMC 5691167. PMID 29167722.
  7. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Woodbury-Smith MR, Volkmar FR (2009). "Asperger syndrome". Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 18 (1): 2–11. doi:10.1007/s00787-008-0701-0. PMID 18563474.
  8. Ylisaukko-oja T, Nieminen-von Wendt T, Kempas E, Sarenius S, Varilo T, von Wendt L; et al. (2004). "Genome-wide scan for loci of Asperger syndrome". Mol Psychiatry. 9 (2): 161–8. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001385. PMID 14966474.
  9. 10.0 10.1 Ghaziuddin M (2005). "A family history study of Asperger syndrome". J Autism Dev Disord. 35 (2): 177–82. doi:10.1007/s10803-004-1996-4. PMID 15909404.
  10. 11.0 11.1 Gillberg C, Cederlund M (2005). "Asperger syndrome: familial and pre- and perinatal factors". J Autism Dev Disord. 35 (2): 159–66. doi:10.1007/s10803-004-1993-7. PMID 15909402.
  11. 12.0 12.1 Volkmar FR, Klin A, Pauls D (1998). "Nosological and genetic aspects of Asperger syndrome". J Autism Dev Disord. 28 (5): 457–63. doi:10.1023/a:1026012707581. PMID 9813781.
  12. Tentler D, Johannesson T, Johansson M, Råstam M, Gillberg C, Orsmark C; et al. (2003). "A candidate region for Asperger syndrome defined by two 17p breakpoints". Eur J Hum Genet. 11 (2): 189–95. doi:10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200939. PMID 12634868.
  13. Rehnström K, Ylisaukko-oja T, Nieminen-von Wendt T, Sarenius S, Källman T, Kempas E; et al. (2006). "Independent replication and initial fine mapping of 3p21-24 in Asperger syndrome". J Med Genet. 43 (2): e6. doi:10.1136/jmg.2005.033621. PMC 2564646. PMID 16467216.
  14. 15.0 15.1 Ng M, de Montigny JG, Ofner M, Do MT (2017). "Environmental factors associated with autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review for the years 2003-2013". Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 37 (1): 1–23. doi:10.24095/hpcdp.37.1.01. PMC 5480297. PMID 28102992.
  15. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Baio J, Wiggins L, Christensen DL, Maenner MJ, Daniels J, Warren Z; et al. (2018). "Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2014". MMWR Surveill Summ. 67 (6): 1–23. doi:10.15585/mmwr.ss6706a1. PMC 5919599. PMID 29701730.
  16. Baio J, Wiggins L, Christensen DL, Maenner MJ, Daniels J, Warren Z; et al. (2018). "Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2014". MMWR Surveill Summ. 67 (6): 1–23. doi:10.15585/mmwr.ss6706a1. PMC 5919599. PMID d29701730 Check |pmid= value (help).
  17. Seltzer MM, Krauss MW, Shattuck PT, Orsmond G, Swe A, Lord C (2003). "The symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in adolescence and adulthood". J Autism Dev Disord. 33 (6): 565–81. doi:10.1023/b:jadd.0000005995.02453.0b. PMID 14714927.
  18. 19.0 19.1 Mirkovic B, Gérardin P (2019). "Asperger's syndrome: What to consider?". Encephale. 45 (2): 169–174. doi:10.1016/j.encep.2018.11.005. PMID 30736970.
  19. Klin A (2006). "[Autism and Asperger syndrome: an overview]". Braz J Psychiatry. 28 Suppl 1: S3–11. doi:10.1590/s1516-44462006000500002. PMID 16791390.
  20. 21.0 21.1 Ghaziuddin M, Weidmer-Mikhail E, Ghaziuddin N (1998). "Comorbidity of Asperger syndrome: a preliminary report". J Intellect Disabil Res. 42 ( Pt 4): 279–83. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.1998.tb01647.x. PMID 9786442.
  21. 22.0 22.1 Lugnegård T, Hallerbäck MU, Gillberg C (2011). "Psychiatric comorbidity in young adults with a clinical diagnosis of Asperger syndrome". Res Dev Disabil. 32 (5): 1910–7. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2011.03.025. PMID 21515028.
  22. 23.0 23.1 Filipek PA, Accardo PJ, Ashwal S, Baranek GT, Cook EH, Dawson G; et al. (2000). "Practice parameter: screening and diagnosis of autism: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society". Neurology. 55 (4): 468–79. doi:10.1212/wnl.55.4.468. PMID 10953176.
  23. Johnson CP, Myers SM, American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children With Disabilities (2007). "Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders". Pediatrics. 120 (5): 1183–215. doi:10.1542/peds.2007-2361. PMID 17967920.
  24. 25.0 25.1 Tarazi FI, Sahli ZT, Pleskow J, Mousa SA (2015). "Asperger's syndrome: diagnosis, comorbidity and therapy". Expert Rev Neurother. 15 (3): 281–93. doi:10.1586/14737175.2015.1009898. PMID 25655905.
  25. Leigh JP, Du J (2015). "Brief Report: Forecasting the Economic Burden of Autism in 2015 and 2025 in the United States". J Autism Dev Disord. 45 (12): 4135–9. doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2521-7. PMID 26183723.


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