Childhood Autism: A Research Update

Overview

In the overview article, current knowledge in the field of structural imaging methods, functional imaging methods and neuroanatomy, and their relationship to the psychopathology of childhood autism is summarized. The article is also dealing with early development of the autistic disorder, and it brings facts contradicting possible relationship between autistic disorder and vaccination. In the final part, the importance of new knowledge for the neurobiology of autism, and for the research of social deficit in psychiatry is discussed.

Key words:
childhood autism, structural MRI, functional MRI, early development, vaccination, social deficit.