Disorders of Motor Activity in a Model of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a multifactorial disease characterized not only by disturbances in psychoemotional status and social interaction, but also by somatic dysfunctions. A number of studies have also reported changes in the musculoskeletal system in patients with ASD. We report here studies using video movement analysis demonstrating decreases in horizontal and vertical motor activity; in addition, deviant movements were recorded, indicating deranged locomotor activity and increased anxiety in rats with the valproate model of autism. However, a mechano-myographic study did not reveal any significant changes in the contractility parameters of isolated skeletal muscles of rats with the model of ASD. This leads to the conclusion that general differences in movement may be an independent factor in the diagnosis of autism. A more rigorous study using a larger group and detailed kinematic analysis may help with further evaluation of motor variability as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for ASD.