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      Developing a Deeper Understanding of Autism: Connecting Knowledge through Literature Mining

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          Abstract

          In the field of autism, an enormous increase in available information makes it very difficult to connect fragments of knowledge into a more coherent picture. We present a literature mining method, RaJoLink, to search for matched themes in unrelated literature that may contribute to a better understanding of complex pathological conditions, such as autism. 214 full text articles on autism, published in PubMed, served as a source of data. Using ontology construction, we identified the main concepts of what is already known about autism. Then, the RaJoLink method, based on Swanson's ABC model, was used to reveal potentially interesting, but not yet investigated, connections between different concepts in research. Among the more interesting concepts identified with RaJoLink in our study were calcineurin and NF-kappaB. Both terms can be linked to neuro-immune abnormalities in the brain of patients with autism. Further research is needed to provide stronger evidence about calcineurin and NF-kappaB involvement in autism. However, the analysis presented confirms that this method could support experts on their way towards discovering hidden relationships and towards a better understanding of the disorder.

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          Most cited references80

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          Synaptic plasticity: multiple forms, functions, and mechanisms.

          Experiences, whether they be learning in a classroom, a stressful event, or ingestion of a psychoactive substance, impact the brain by modifying the activity and organization of specific neural circuitry. A major mechanism by which the neural activity generated by an experience modifies brain function is via modifications of synaptic transmission; that is, synaptic plasticity. Here, we review current understanding of the mechanisms of the major forms of synaptic plasticity at excitatory synapses in the mammalian brain. We also provide examples of the possible developmental and behavioral functions of synaptic plasticity and how maladaptive synaptic plasticity may contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders.
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            Autism spectrum disorders: developmental disconnection syndromes.

            Autism is a common and heterogeneous childhood neurodevelopmental disorder. Analogous to broad syndromes such as mental retardation, autism has many etiologies and should be considered not as a single disorder but, rather, as 'the autisms'. However, recent genetic findings, coupled with emerging anatomical and functional imaging studies, suggest a potential unifying model in which higher-order association areas of the brain that normally connect to the frontal lobe are partially disconnected during development. This concept of developmental disconnection can accommodate the specific neurobehavioral features that are observed in autism, their emergence during development, and the heterogeneity of autism etiology, behaviors and cognition.
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              Autism and abnormal development of brain connectivity.

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                Author and article information

                Journal
                Autism Res Treat
                Autism Res Treat
                AURT
                Autism Research and Treatment
                Hindawi Publishing Corporation
                2090-1925
                2090-1933
                2011
                7 June 2011
                : 2011
                : 307152
                Affiliations
                1Department of Child Neurology, University Pediatric Hospital Ljubljana, Bohoričeva 20, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
                2Centre for Systems and Information Technologies, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia
                3Department of Knowledge Technologies, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
                Author notes
                *Marta Macedoni-Lukšič: mmacedoni@ 123456gmail.com

                Academic Editor: Mohammad Ghaziuddin

                Article
                10.1155/2011/307152
                3420468
                22937244
                49c33ff6-a948-4eb1-b639-54f72adccd90
                Copyright © 2011 Marta Macedoni-Lukšič et al.

                This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

                History
                : 9 February 2011
                : 13 April 2011
                Categories
                Research Article

                Neurology
                Neurology

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