A A review on role of neuromodulators in autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders whose diagnosis is exclusively made on a behavioral basis. According to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, autism is defined by deficits in two main symptoms (social interaction & communication, and repetitive/restrictive behaviors), which emerge in premature phases of postnatal development. The authors review evidence that ASD is a neurobiological disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors affecting the developing brain, and enumerate factors that correlate with ASD risk. Finally, the article describes how clinical evaluation begins with developmental screening.