[Autism. Neurobiological aspects]

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a neurobiological basis, characterized by a qualitative disturbance in social interaction and communication, associated with restricted interests and stereotyped behaviors. The genesis of autism cannot be interpreted through a single theory, and we can't compartmentalize brain areas as the only ones responsible for it. Among the neurobiological bases we can include: deficit in the social reward system, which generates poor social initiative; dysfunctions and disorders of the amygdala and the mirror neuron system, related to compromised empathy and social cognition; abnormalities in the minicolumns related to hyper-systematization; persistent inflammatory phenomena of the central nervous system related to microglia; alterations of neuropeptides such as oxytocin, vasopressin and cortisol, which compromise socialization, and neuronal inhibition disorders, expressed in GABAergic dysfunctions in interneurons, linked to autistic behaviors, epilepsy and sensory phenomena. Understanding the neurobiological bases of autism is complex and there is no single explanation or specific biological marker. However, identifying processes related to social cognition, molecular, inflammatory, neuromodulation mechanisms and bases linked to sensory disorders are fundamental elements.