Neurophysiological Correlates of Impaired Development in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a large group of developmental disorders caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is described as a separate diagnosis in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases. The forms of the disorder are distinguished based on existing intellectual and language deficits. The problem is relevant due to ASD wide spread (about 1% in the general population) and difficulties of social rehabilitation of such people. Neurophysiological studies of this heterogeneous group revealed various impairments of ontogenetic formation of EEG patterns. Some of the main autism features, such as social isolation and inability to empathize, can be attributed to dysfunctional mirror neurons. The article reviews studies of age-related formation of EEG in normal group, as well as EEG of undifferentiated ASD. It also in detail discusses mechanisms of dysfunction of mirror neuron system in these disorders.