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Neurobiology of Asperger Syndrome

Seven Case Studies and Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

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Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism?

Part of the book series: Current Issues in Autism ((CIAM))

Abstract

The atypical pattern of development first described by Hans Asperger over 50 years ago (Asperger, 1944, Asperger, 1968), commonly referred to as Asperger syndrome (AS), has only recently been included by the American Psychiatric Association as one subtype of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD; APA, 1994). It is now believed that all PDD, including AS, are caused by abnormalities of brain development and function. Of the PDD, Autistic Disorder (AD) has been the most extensively studied with respect to abnormal brain development and function (for review see, Courchesne 1995, 1997). Few studies, however, have evaluated brain development and function in persons with AS. This chapter will review factors related to the neurobiology of AS. In addition, we will describe seven cases of individuals with AS who have had quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) through our laboratory.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Research on the Neuroscience of Autism, Children’s Hospital and Health Center, La Jolla, and California School of Professional Psychology—San Diego, San Diego, California, 92121, USA

    Alan Lincoln

  2. Laboratory for Research on the Neuroscience of Autism, Children’s Hospital and Health Center, and Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA

    Eric Courchesne

  3. Laboratory for Research on the Neuroscience of Autism, Children’s Hospital and Health Center, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA

    Mark Allen

  4. California School of Professional Psychology—San Diego, San Diego, California, 92121, USA

    Ellen Hanson & Michaela Ene

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  1. Alan Lincoln
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  2. Eric Courchesne
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  3. Mark Allen
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  4. Ellen Hanson
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  5. Michaela Ene
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division TEACCH, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599-7180, USA

    Eric Schopler  & Gary B. Mesibov  & 

  2. Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, 61702-2900, USA

    Linda J. Kunce

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Lincoln, A., Courchesne, E., Allen, M., Hanson, E., Ene, M. (1998). Neurobiology of Asperger Syndrome. In: Schopler, E., Mesibov, G.B., Kunce, L.J. (eds) Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism?. Current Issues in Autism. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5369-4_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5369-4_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7450-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-5369-4

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