Evaluation of the theory of mind in autism spectrum disorders with the Strange Stories test

Objective: To evaluate the theory of mind in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and control individuals by applying the Strange Stories test that was translated and adapted to the Portuguese language. Method: Twenty-eight children with ASD and 56 controls who were all mate and aged between 6 and 12 years participated in the study. Results: There were significant differences between the median scores of the groups for each of the 12 stories of the test and for the sum total of all the median scores. the median scores for all stories were significantly greater in the control group than those in the experimental group (children with ASD). in addition, the protocol had excellent internal consistency. Conclusion: the theory of mind skills assessed with the Strange Stories test indicated alterations in children with ASD compared with children in the control group.Univ Presbiteriana Mackenzie, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Programs Posgrad Disturbios Desenvolvimento, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

ATAXIA-TELANGIECTASIA - A CLINICAL AND LABORATORY REVIEW STUDY OF 14 CASES

ESCOLA PAULISTA MED SCH,RUA SERGIPE 634130A,BR-01243 SAO PAULO,BRAZILESCOLA PAULISTA MED SCH,RUA SERGIPE 634130A,BR-01243 SAO PAULO,BRAZILWeb of Scienc

Neurogenesis in the amygdala: A new etiologic hypothesis of autism?

Neurogenesis studies had an increased development after BrdU (5-bromo-3'-deoxyuridine), a marker of cell proliferation. Today, several studies have showed the relevance of neurogenesis in the hippocampal formation. Notwithstanding, other brains areas have been described presenting neurogenesis, including the amygdata. This key structure is a complex cerebral region which has been associated with social behaviors and the emotional significance of the daily experiences. Several studies have associated the amygdala to the autism, a severe neurodevetopmentat disorder. in this paper, we discuss the hypothesis of neurogenesis in the amygdata as a contributing cause of autism. the social skills require competent new neuronal connections, including efficient plasticity synaptic rearranging. Interestingly, emotional context cannot be imprinting in mature neurons in the presence of GABA, a neurotransmitter release during new environments experiences. However, it is known that new neurons are not welt responsive to GABA stimulation, allowing the tong-term potentiation necessary for the learning process. Based on these evidence it is tantalizing to hypothesize that the sociability impairment seen in some individuals with autism may partly be assigned to impaired regulation of the GABAergic system and to the impact of this impairment on the adequate functioning of the annygdala and on its capacity to store new experiences and to modulate the plasticity of the corticostriatal connections. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Psychiat, UNIFESP EPM, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilCent Univ Sao Camilo, Dept Pharmacol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Presbyterian Mackenzie, Pervas Dev Disorders Program, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Physiol, UNIFESP EPM, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, UNIFESP EPM, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Psychiat, UNIFESP EPM, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Physiol, UNIFESP EPM, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, UNIFESP EPM, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc