Disorders of Motor Activity on the Model of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a multifactorial disease that is characterized not only by disorders of the psycho-emotional state and social interaction, but also by somatic dysfunctions. A number of studies have also reported changes in the musculoskeletal system in patients with ASD. In this work, by the method of video analysis of movements, we demonstrated a decrease in horizontal and vertical motor activity, in addition, deviant movements were recorded, which indicates a violation in locomotor activity and increased anxiety in rats with a valproate model of autism. However, a mechano-myographic study did not reveal significant changes in the contractility parameters of isolated skeletal muscles of rats with the ASD model. Thus, it can be concluded that general differences in movement may be an independent factor in the diagnosis of autism. A more thorough study using a larger sample and detailed kinematic analysis can help in further assessing the variability of motor functions as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker of ASD.