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Toward a conceptual framework for early brain and behavior development in autism.
J Piven1,2, J T Elison3, M J Zylka1,4
1Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Autism features emerge in the second year of life, following early brain overgrowth in high-risk infants. Understanding these developmental changes is key for early autism intervention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Genetics
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) features manifest later in infancy.
- Infant siblings of autistic individuals have elevated autism risk.
- Early brain development patterns may predict later ASD diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurodevelopmental trajectory in infants at high risk for autism.
- To establish a conceptual framework for early autism development.
- To identify critical periods for intervention in autism.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal neuroimaging studies of high-risk infant siblings.
- Analysis of brain development patterns (cortical surface area, brain volume).
- Integration of genetic risk data and rodent models.
Main Results:
- High-risk infants later diagnosed with autism show cortical hyper-expansion in year one.
- Brain volume overgrowth occurs in year two, correlating with social deficits.
- A model suggests disrupted neural progenitor proliferation and altered experience-dependent development.
Conclusions:
- Autism development involves specific early-postnatal brain changes.
- Disrupted neural development in infancy precedes overt autism symptoms.
- Understanding infant brain development is crucial for early autism intervention.

