SYNAPTIC PRUNING DEFICITS AS A NEUROLOGICAL BASIS FOR SENSORY OVERLOAD IN YOUNG CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

This study examines the neurological mechanisms underlying sensory overload in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), focusing specifically on deficits in synaptic pruning. Synaptic pruning is a critical neurodevelopmental process in which redundant or weak synaptic connections are eliminated to optimize neural network efficiency. In children with autism, insufficient synaptic pruning leads to an excess of neural connections, causing hyperresponsiveness to sensory stimuli such as sound, light, and touch. The paper discusses the molecular, genetic, and neurophysiological aspects of synaptic pruning deficits, their impact on sensory processing, and the clinical implications for diagnosis, intervention, and therapeutic strategies. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for developing personalized medical approaches to improve quality of life and functional outcomes in children with ASD.