Katherine Shew

Cerebellar Involvement and Altered Brain Structures in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Started Nov. 18, 2022

Abstract or project description

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that affects more than 200,000 people a year in the United States. The disorder has become more prevalent in today’s youth, the numbers spiking from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 44 children in 2022. It impairs how people interact with others, communicate, learn, develop, and behave. Known as a spectrum, it manifests in varying severities and combinations of symptoms. Within the last 50 years, more research has emerged in the field. During this time, researchers have found with growing technology that changes in the cerebellum are likely to predispose children to developing ASD. The cerebellum is generally known to maintain motor coordination. However, it is recognized now to have a greater role in cognition and emotional functions in the developing mind. Disruption to this major section of the brain and lesions during development have been shown to cause ASD symptoms, or non-motor impairments. In this review paper, disruption to the cerebellum is explored further by including published assessments and will holistically review how the cerebellar disruption could influence the non-motor impairments of Autism Spectrum Disorder.