title: An Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Heterogeneity and Treatment Options.
abstract: Since the documented observations of Kanner in 1943, there has been great debate about the diagnoses, the sub-types, and the diagnostic threshold that relates to what is now known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Reflecting this complicated history, there has been continual refinement from DSM-III with 'Infantile Autism' to the current DSM-V diagnosis. The disorder is now widely accepted as a complex, pervasive, heterogeneous condition with multiple etiologies, sub-types, and developmental trajectories. Diagnosis remains based on observation of atypical behaviors, with criteria of persistent deficits in social communication and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. This review provides a broad overview of the history, prevalence, etiology, clinical presentation, and heterogeneity of ASD. Factors contributing to heterogeneity, including genetic variability, comorbidity, and gender are reviewed. We then explore current evidence-based pharmacological and behavioral treatments for ASD and highlight the complexities of conducting clinical trials that evaluate therapeutic efficacy in ASD populations. Finally, we discuss the potential of a new wave of research examining objective biomarkers to facilitate the evaluation of sub-typing, diagnosis, and treatment response in ASD.
authors.affiliation: Autism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masi
authors.affiliation: Autism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Marilena M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: DeMayo
authors.affiliation: Autism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Glozier
authors.affiliation: Autism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. adam.guastella@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Guastella
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Diagnosis; Heterogeneity; Treatment