Retained Primitive Reflexes and Potential for Intervention in Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Neurology

Background:

• Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by complex neurological differences.
• Interregional brain functional disconnectivity is increasingly recognized as a key feature in ASD.
• Developmental delays in brain network maturation are hypothesized to underlie ASD symptomatology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide evidence linking ASD aspects to brain functional disconnectivity and maturational delays.
• To explore the relationship between retained primitive reflexes (RPRs) and cognitive/motor functions in ASD.
• To investigate the potential of inhibiting RPRs for positive change in ASD.

Main Methods:

• The study reviews existing evidence on brain network development in ASD.
• It examines the correlation between functional connectivity, maturational timing, and ASD symptoms.
• The relationship between RPRs and neurodevelopmental outcomes is analyzed.

Main Results:

• Evidence supports ASD being associated with interregional brain disconnectivity due to maturational delays.
• Developmental asynchrony between brain networks may lead to uneven functional skills and symptoms.
• A strong link exists between retained primitive reflexes and impaired cognitive/motor function in ASD.

Conclusions:

• Delayed brain maturation and resulting network disconnectivity are central to many ASD aspects.
• Retained primitive reflexes are significantly related to cognitive and motor deficits in ASD.
• Inhibiting retained primitive reflexes may offer a therapeutic avenue for improving outcomes in ASD.