性别因素在孤独症发病中的作用(综述)

孤独症是一类病因未明的广泛性发育障碍性疾病,男性孤独症患病率明显高于女性,且患者大脑、心理和行为常表现出一定的极端雄性化倾向。本文对性别差异与孤独症发病的相关理论和研究进展进行了简要概述,并分析了性激素影响孤独症发病可能机制,希望能够对孤独症的预防和诊疗提供帮助。     

青少年及成年孤独症谱系障碍患者社交技能训练的疗效

目的:探讨社交技能训练对青少年和成人孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)患者社会交往障碍的疗效。方法:入组符合美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第5版(DSM-5)ASD诊断标准的12~30岁被试44例,分为训练组(n=22)和对照组(n=22)。对训练组进行为期14周的社交技能训练,训练前(基线)和训练结束(终点)时,对两组患者进行异常行为量表(ABC)和社交反应量表(SRS)的评定以及心理推理任务和执行功能测查任务的评估。结果:训练组终点的ABC总分和社会退缩因子分,SRS总分和社交知觉、社交认知、社交沟通因子分均低于基线(均P<0.05),心理推理的二级错误信念任务的通过率高于基线(P<0.05),执行功能的Rey复杂图形记忆任务中的延迟记忆结构分、延迟记忆细节分高于基线,连线测验中的数字字母连线时间、B测验完成时-A测验完成时短于基线(均P<0.05)。而对照组在终点时,除ABC社会退缩因子外,其余上述项目与基线时相比差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。结论:社交技能训练能够有效改善青少年和成年ASD患者的整体症状和社会交往障碍,还能有效提高青少年和成年ASD患者的心理推理能力和执行功能。     

分阶综合社交技能训练对孤独症谱系障碍儿童社交认知的干预效果

目的：采用分阶综合社交技能干预方案,探究其对孤独症儿童社交认知的干预效果。方法：共36名孤独症儿童参与研究,干预组(n=22)共参与17次社交技能训练,对照组(n=14)不参加训练。结果：干预组孤独症儿童的孤独症治疗量表和社交反应量表后测结果的总分以及语言、知觉、社交、社交认知、社交动机等维度得分均显著低于对照组。结论：分阶综合社交技能训练可显著提高孤独症儿童的社交认知能力。     

SCFA作用孤独症谱系障碍机制的研究进展

孤独症谱系障碍（ASD）是一种神经发育障碍性疾病,好发于儿童,由遗传和环境因素导致。近年来研究发现,与健康儿童相比,ASD患儿易共病胃肠道症状,可能与肠道菌群失衡有关。短链脂肪酸（SCFA）作为肠道菌群的主要代谢产物,是介导肠道菌群与宿主相互作用的重要物质,在ASD的发生、发展中发挥重要作用。本文主要就SCFA作用ASD的可能机制简单综述。     

孤独症虚拟现实技术干预研究进展(综述)

本文分析2014-2022年发表的虚拟现实(VR)技术干预孤独症儿童的相关文献,表明这些研究中不同的VR系统对孤独症的不同症状有所改善,指出VR术在干预孤独症儿童方面存在可行性。     

精神分裂症患者的社交技能训练(综述)

多数精神分裂症在临床症状缓解的同时,仍然存在社交及认知缺陷,影响生活质量.因此,有学者提出社交技能缺陷症状的概念,并认为是精神分裂症除阳性症状和阴性症状之外的另一个特征性症状[1].抗精神病药物虽然可以治疗幻觉、妄想,却无法改善社交技能缺陷[1-2].从20世纪60年代开始,不断有学者尝试采用社交技能训练(social skills training,SST)来改善精神分裂症患者的社交技能缺陷,提高他们的生活质量和功能结局[3-4].本文介绍社交技能训练的理论与方法,为开展相关治疗和研究提供依据.     

社交焦虑障碍发展成因探讨(综述)

社交焦虑障碍（social anxiety disorder。SAD）又称社交恐惧症（social phobia）是青少年期和成人期发生率相当高的焦虑性神经症。社交焦虑障碍的特点是顽固地为自己在社交或公开场合可能会发生困窘和羞辱而恐惧，产生过度的焦虑反应。SAD常常有长期的过程并带来实质性的不良后果，使学业、职业、社交都受到影响。情况严重的退缩在家，不敢见人。难以参加社会工作。     

孤独症谱系障碍镜像神经元功能的研究现状

镜像神经元假说被认为是一种较全面地解释孤独症谱系障碍的临床症状和神经生物学异常的神经-认知理论。本文综述了国内外近年来在孤独症谱系障碍中镜像神经元功能的研究,分别探讨了神经电生理、神经影像学,神经心理学等方面研究结果,提示这些患者存在部分的镜像神经元功能损害,这些损害与孤独症谱系障碍患者其他的神经认知和社会认知功能损害有着密切关系。     

融合性沙盘游戏疗法在随班就读孤独症儿童社交行为干预中的作用

目的：采用融合性沙盘游戏疗法,探究其在随班就读孤独症儿童社交行为干预中的作用。方法：将38名就读于普通小学的孤独症儿童随机分成实验组与对照组,每组19人。研究期间,对照组被试接受同频同质的日常社交行为干预,实验组被试则在此之上接受为期18周共计36次彼此独立的基于融合性沙盘游戏疗法的社交行为干预。运用孤独症治疗评估量表（ATEC）与Achenbach教师报告量表（TRF）综合考察干预方案对被试社交行为发展的作用。结果：前测两组被试ATEC与TRF的总分及其各因子得分均无统计学差异,后测实验组被试ATEC与TRF的总分及其各因子得分明显低于前侧,且明显低于对照组后测得分（除体诉因子）。结论：融合性沙盘游戏疗法能有效推动随班就读孤独症儿童社交行为的发展。     

孤独症儿童家长孤独症广泛表型和家庭功能与社交回避及苦恼的关系

<正>相对于正常发育儿童亲属,孤独症儿童亲属的孤独症广泛表型的比率更高[1]。已有研究表明,孤独症广泛表型可以预测个体社交行为的数量和他们所经历的不适程度[2]。同时,孤独症广泛表型与社交焦虑存在显著正相关[3-6]。还有研究显示,家庭功能与家庭成员的社交回避及苦恼存在显著相关[7-9]。家庭功能对调节孤独症儿童的心理健康起着重要作用[8]。然而,目前研究缺乏对孤独症广泛表型、家庭功能和社交行为及其感受三者之间关系的探讨。从家庭系统理论出发,     

A functional polymorphism of the OXTR gene is associated with autistic traits in Caucasian and Asian populations

There is increasing evidence for associations between polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene and autism spectrum disorder, but to date no study has established links with autistic traits in healthy subjects and potential cultural differences. The present research firstly investigated associations between three widely studied OXTR SNPs and autistic and empathic traits (rs53576 (G/A); rs2254298 (G/A); rs2268498 (T/C)) in two independent studies on male and female Caucasian (n = 537) and Chinese students (n = 280). Autistic and empathic traits were measured in all subjects in the two independent groups using the Autism ‐Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) respectively, together with their sub‐scales. For both sites, genotyping of the OXTR SNPs was conducted on buccal swab samples using a Cobas Z 480 Light Cycler following automated DNA extraction. Associations at the genotype level with autism trait scores were found in Caucasian subjects for rs2268498 only, with TT carriers having the lowest AQ scores compared with those carrying at least one C‐allele. This finding was independently replicated in the Chinese sample although a smaller proportion carried the C‐allele compared with the Caucasian sample. Some minor associations were found between empathy trait scores and the three SNPs but were not consistent between the samples. These findings show for the first time that the rs2268498 SNP localized in the promoter flanking region of the OXTR gene is associated with autistic traits in different ethnic/cultural groups. This provides further support for the role of the OXTR gene in relation to autism.     

Cognitive impairments in inherited metabolic diseases: Promises and challenges

ABSTRACT

This is an introduction to the special issue on cognitive impairments in inherited metabolic diseases (IMD). It provides an overview of the studies included, focusing on the possibility of selective impairments which could provide unique evidence on the specificity of neural circuitries mediating cognitive functions. It will suggest that these circuitries have different metabolic properties which make them especially apt to carry out certain functions, but also particularly susceptible to certain forms of metabolic disruption. Knowledge of selective impairments is also crucial to properly evaluate the difficulties engendered by individual diseases and track treatment outcomes. IMR research holds the promise of a more complete understanding of cognition, from cellular functioning to behaviour and of further improvements in treatment. Advances, however, will require detailed assessments, comparisons across diseases, and the integration of different levels of explanation. This will be possible only through close collaborations between centres and types of professionals.     

Characterization and expression of oxytocin and the oxytocin receptor

Oxytocin, a nonapeptide hormone and neurotransmitter, is expressed in a variety of tissues, as are its receptors. In vivo, oxytocin acts as a paracrine and/or autocrine mediator of multiple biological effects. These effects are exerted primarily through interactions with G-protein-coupled oxytocin/vasopressin receptors, which, via G(q) and G(i), stimulate phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides. It is generally recognized that, during pregnancy, oxytocin plays a major role in increasing myometrial contractility at term, and that it acts on its cardiac receptor to decrease the cardiac rate and force of contraction. It is, however, doubtful that increased endocrine oxytocin concentration is involved in the onset and progression of normal human labor.     

Comparative aspects of oxytocin in baboon (Papio hamadryus anubis) and human corpora lutea

In spite of the importance of the corpus luteum in human reproduction,little is known about its formation after ovulation and duringregression in the absence of conception. This is largely dueto constraints on the availability of normal human tissue: thereforean appropriate model which could be studied and provide informationapplicable to the human was sought. The baboon (Papio), a non-humanprimate, has been determined to be one such model. Thus, inthe past several years our studies have examined the role ofluteal peptides in corpus luteum function, and, when possible,we have attempted to examine corpora lutea from the human andbaboon in parallel. Although a milk-ejection factor was recognizedto be present in luteal tissue in 1910 (Ott and Scott, Proc.Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., Vol. 8, p 49), the role of oxytocin inluteal physiology has not been easy to ascertain. This is inpart due to the methodologies employed to assess its role. Ourstudies summarized below suggest that oxytocin does not directlyaffect luteal steroidogenesis, but that it may play a role incell to cell communication involving the expression of the gapjunction proteins, the connexins. In view of the fact that oxytocin,its receptor, gap junctions and associated proteins are notunique to the human and non-human primates, the model of lutealdevelopment and demise proposed may be applicable to most species.     

A role for oxytocin and 5-HT(1A) receptors in the prosocial effects of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy")

The drug 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) has a widely documented ability to increase feelings of love and closeness toward others. The present study investigated whether oxytocin, a neuropeptide involved in affiliative behavior, may play a role in this effect. A moderate (5 mg/kg, i.p.) dose of MDMA increased social interaction in male Wistar rats, primarily by increasing the amount of time rats spent lying adjacent to each other. MDMA (5 mg/kg) activated oxytocin-containing neurons in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, as shown by Fos immunohistochemistry. MDMA (5 mg/kg i.p.) also increased plasma oxytocin levels and this effect was prevented by pre-treatment with the 5-HT(1A) antagonist N-[2-[4-(2-methyoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinylcyclohexanecarboxamide maleate salt (WAY 100,635; 1 mg/kg i.p.). The oxytocin receptor antagonist tocinoic acid (20 microg, i.c.v.) had no effect on social behavior when given alone but significantly attenuated the facilitation of social interaction produced by MDMA (5 mg/kg). The 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetraline) (8-OH-DPAT, 0.25 mg/kg, i.p.) increased social behavior in a similar way to MDMA and this effect was also significantly attenuated by tocinoic acid. Taken together, these results suggest that oxytocin release, stimulated by MDMA through 5-HT(1A) receptors, may play a key role in the prosocial effects of MDMA and underlie some of the reinforcing effects of the drug.     

Role of oxytocin and vasopressin in the transitions of weaning in the rat

Sucklings (18-day-old) and weanlings (35-day-old) were injected icv with oxytocin or its antagonist (both 0.5 microg/1 microl), or vasopressin (1.0 ng/1 microl) or its antagonist (100 ng/1 microl), prior to 4-min observation in a behavioral maze with a sibling in one box and their anesthetized dam in the other. Oxytocin abolished nipple attachment in sucklings, decreased time spent with the dam, and increased self-grooming. The oxytocin antagonist had little influence on behavior. Vasopressin increased self-grooming while its antagonist reduced passive contact with the dam, increased active contact with her, and increased exploration and activity. We conclude that these neuropeptides have diverse roles during weaning, maintaining sucklings' behavior or promoting weaning, and subserving the transition from attachment to the dam to independence from her. We propose that these neurochemicals, and others, mediate the neural, affiliative, and affective changes of weaning, and that the term "weaning" should be understood to encompass these behavioral transitions.