Synaptic plasticity in autism spectrum disorders

Autism is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders and has a high impact on families and societies worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 68 children are currently diagnosed with some form of autism. Because there is a broad range of symptoms across patients, with varying levels of severity, autism is described as a spectrum disorder. Patients suffering from autism spectrum disorders have severe learning difficulties, with prominent repetitive behavior and inability to socialize normally. Autism is a lifelong condition requiring lifelong care; this affects not only immediate carers such as parents and relatives, but also the wider society. While the carers go through mental, physical and financial turmoil, the burden on society is majorly financial. In this chapter, we will focus on learning and memory aspects of autism spectrum disorder, paying special attention to synaptic plasticity. We will present an overall understanding based on studies involving animal models of autism spectrum disorders and will also cite some important human studies.