Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
08:44
Dynamic Clamp Methods to Investigate Impaired Neuronal Excitability Associated with Autism
Published on: October 17, 2025
433
Neuroplasticity Across the Autism-Schizophrenia Continuum
Evangelia Kesidou1,2, Nikolaos Mitsoudis2, Olympia Damianidou2
1Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Biomedicines
|November 27, 2025
Summary
Brain plasticity differs in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia, impacting cognitive function. Interventions targeting plasticity show promise but require larger trials for efficacy in these neurodevelopmental disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurobiology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Brain plasticity is crucial for nervous system adaptation.
- It involves synaptic changes influencing cognition and behavior.
- Disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Schizophrenia exhibit distinct plasticity alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To contrast plasticity mechanisms and developmental timing in ASD and Schizophrenia.
- To evaluate interventions targeting plasticity for cognitive and behavioral improvement.
- To offer an integrated perspective on plasticity-based therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and critical analysis of existing studies.
- Comparison of preclinical and clinical evidence for plasticity interventions.
- Evaluation of molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- ASD shows early hyperplasticity and excitation-inhibition imbalance.
- Schizophrenia is characterized by adolescent overpruning and NMDAR hypofunction.
- Interventions show symptom-domain-specific effects, necessitating further research.
Conclusions:
- Targeting plasticity pathways offers potential for cognitive and behavioral gains in ASD and Schizophrenia.
- Cognitive remediation in Schizophrenia improved executive function and hippocampal volume.
- Virtual reality training in ASD enhanced attention and planning skills, indicating protocol-dependent efficacy.
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