Simple cyclic movements as a distinct autism feature – computational approach

Abstract

A diversity of symptoms in autism dictates a broad definition of AutismSpec-trum of Disorders (ASD). Each year, the percentage of children diagnosed with ASD is growing. One common diagnostic feature in individuals with ASD is the tendency to exhibit atypical simple cyclic movements.The motor brain activity seems to generate a periodic attractor state that is hard to escape. Despite numerous studies, scientists and clinicians do not know exactly if ASD is a result of a simple yet general mechanism or of a complex set of mechanisms (either on the neural, molecular and system levels). Simulations using the biologically- relevant neural network model presented here may help to reveal the simplest mechanisms that may be responsible for specific behavior. Abnormal neural fatigue mechanisms may be responsible for motor symptoms as well as many (or perhaps all) of the other symptoms observed in ASD.