Autism Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Autism - Term Paper Example This paper specifically focuses on how biology impacts psychology  and analyses the structure of the brain, neuron activities, synapses activities, activities of neurotransmitters etc in relation with autism. â€Å"Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder of genetic origins, with a heritability of about 90%. There is no single biological or clinical marker for autism, nor is it expected that a single gene is responsible for its expression; as many as 15+ genes may be involved. No single region of the brain or pathophysiological mechanism has yet been identified as being associated with autism. Postmortem findings, animal models, and neuroimaging studies have focused on the cerebellum, frontal cortex, hippocampus, and especially the amygdala. The cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuit may also be influential in autism. There is evidence that overall brain size is increased in some individuals with autism (Santangelo &  Tsatsanis, 2005). Environmental influences can also cause autism along with genetic factors; however genetic factors seem to be the major reason for autism in more than 90% children with autism. Autism is considered as a developmental disorder. At the same time it is a genetic disorder also. In other words, autism is a mental disorder which affects the physical, emotional, social and behavioral development of a child. Psychologists included autism among the pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Autism mainly affect three areas of development; social interaction, language development and behavioral patterns. At present medical science has no answer or treatment to this serious psychological disorder. So far no effective drugs have been produced for the treatment of autism. Structure of the brain plays a vital role in causing autism. Neurophysiological functions believed to cause this disorder. In fact, the defect caused in the signals sent and received by brain using the