Excessive lateral feedback synaptic inhibition may cause autistic characteristics

• Reviews the existence of abnormalities of perception in autism and argues that cortical maps for feature recognition are impaired in autistic individuals. Suitably chosen artificial neural networks are mathematical models of individual neurons and their connections, albeit simplified in several ways. Computer simulations of these models may yield insights into the impairments of the brain. A self-organizing map constitutes a structure which upon training becomes sensitive to features in the stimuli. Successful development of a feature map demands proper lateral feedback. If the inhibitory component is strong the neural columns become narrowly focused, that is, variability in the different features is not accepted if features are to be recognized. If the inhibitory component becomes excessive, feature maps will not develop. The author states that narrowly focused or undeveloped feature maps have relevance in explaining autism.

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TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Annan elektroteknik och elektronik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering (hsv//eng)

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Industrial Electronics

Industriell elektronik

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