Joint hypermobility and autonomic hyperactivity: relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders

Conclusion We demonstrate for the first time that rates of hypermobility and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction are particularly high in adults with neurodevelopmental diagnoses. It is likely that the importance of hypermobility and autonomic dysfunction to the generation and maintenance of psychopathology in neurodevelopmental disorders is poorly appreciated. Work underway(autonomic testing, fMRI) will test the hypothesis that autonomic reactivity and interoceptive sensitivity predispose to the expression of psychiatric symptoms, particularly anxiety. It is further hypothesized that inefficient neural co-ordination of efferent autonomic drive with imprecise interoceptive representations may be amplified in hypermobile individuals. In hypermobility, this mechanism might explain increased vulnerability to stress sensitive and developmental neuropsychiatric conditions.
Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry - Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Tags: Neurogastroenterology, Genetics, Movement disorders (other than Parkinsons), Muscle disease, Neuromuscular disease, Stroke, Anxiety disorders (including OCD and PTSD), Child and adolescent psychiatry, Mood disorders (including depression), Fibromyalgia, M Source Type: research