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Review
. 2025 Jun 2:19:e20240182.
doi: 10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2024-0182. eCollection 2025.

Neuroplasticity in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

Gabriela Garcia de Carvalho Laguna  1 , Ana Beatriz Ferreira Gusmão  1 , Breno Oliveira Marques  1 , Níkolas Brayan da Silva Bragas  1 , Isadora Bagues Rodrigues  1 , Rafaela Souza Melo  2 , Katiene Rodrigues Menezes de Azevedo  1
Affiliations
Review

Neuroplasticity in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

Gabriela Garcia de Carvalho Laguna et al. Dement Neuropsychol. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

The brain's ability to adapt in response to stimuli is called neuroplasticity.

Objective: This study investigates neuroplasticity in autistic individuals, focusing on neurobiological aspects, clinical correlations, and therapeutic interventions.

Methods: This systematic review, registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews-PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024522425) and guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-PRISMA (2020) criteria, searched databases like Web of Science, Scopus, United States National Library of Medicine/ Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (PubMed/Medline), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) for original articles published in 2018-2023.

Results: Of the 2,316 studies found, 11 were selected, involving 1,943 autistic individuals, both children and adults. Most studies were classified as high/moderate quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa and Jadad scales. Observations included variations in SHANK2 gene expression, lower concentrations of α-synuclein, higher β-synuclein in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), correlations between NCAM1 expression and motor skills, and higher brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration compared to non-autistic children.

Conclusions: Alterations in SHANK2, α-synuclein, β-synuclein, NCAM1, and BDNF in ASD suggest biomarkers and therapeutic targets for more effective interventions, improving care for autistic individuals.

A capacidade do cérebro adaptar-se em resposta a estímulos é denominada neuroplasticidade.

Objetivo: Este estudo investiga a neuroplasticidade em indivíduos autistas, focando em aspectos neurobiológicos, correlações clínicas e intervenções terapêuticas.

Métodos: Esta revisão sistemática, registrada no Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews — PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024522425) e orientada pelos critérios do Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses — PRISMA (2020), pesquisou em bases de dados como Web of Science, Scopus, Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina dos Estados Unidos/ Sistema Online de Busca e Análise de Literatura Médica (PubMed/Medline), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) por artigos originais publicados em 2018–2023.

Resultados: Dos 2.316 estudos encontrados, 11 foram selecionados, envolvendo 1.943 indivíduos autistas, tanto crianças quanto adultos. A maioria dos estudos foi classificada como de alta/moderada qualidade usando as escalas de Newcastle-Ottawa e Jadad. Observações incluíram variações na expressão do gene SHANK2, menores concentrações de α-sinucleína, maiores de β-sinucleína em crianças com transtorno do espectro autista (TEA), correlações entre a expressão de NCAM1 e habilidades motoras, e maior concentração de fator neurotrófico derivado do cérebro (BDNF) em comparação a crianças não autistas.

Conclusões: Alterações em SHANK2, α-sinucleína, β-sinucleína, NCAM1 e BDNF no TEA sugerem biomarcadores e alvos terapêuticos para intervenções mais eficazes, aprimorando o cuidado de indivíduos autistas.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Neurobiology; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Neuronal Plasticity; Psychiatry.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Screening flowchart of the studies.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Summary of results.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. American Psychiatric Association (APA) DSM-5: Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais [Internet] São Paulo: Artmed; 2014. [[cited 2024 Mar 7]]. 992 p. Available from: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=QL4rDAAAQBAJ .
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