The novel association of autism with congenital non-syndromic cavum septum pellucidum and its significance: An educational article and expert opinion

Background: We have recently described a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of autism disorders which has shown promise in alleviating and curing the major diagnostic features associated with autism. The first book documenting the successful cure of autism patients was recognized in Bookauthority’s lists of best books of all time. Consequently, we have been receiving consultations regarding autism treatment from various regions worldwide. Individualized courses of intramuscular cerebrolysin have emerged as a significant component of the new therapeutic approach contributing to the cure of autism. Autism spectrum disorders have not been reported in association with cavum septum pellucidum. Patients and methods: This paper describes a boy diagnosed with autism disorder who was found to have cavum septum pellucidum upon brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Treatment primarily consisted of intramuscular cerebrolysin courses, supplemented with oral risperidone at night, a commonly used neuroleptic for managing hyperactivity. After four months of treatment, the patient exhibited some improvement, estimated at approximately 20% by the father. However, improvement in the two major clinical diagnostic features of autism (response to name and eye contact) was not observed at the clinic. Consequently, brain MRI was performed, revealing the presence of cavum septum pellucidum. Expert opinion: The current evidence-based expert opinion suggests that the congenital form of isolated large cavum septum pellucidum, presents after two years of age is not an anatomical variation, but a neuro-developmental abnormality that can be asymptomatic, but can predispose to psychiatric disorders including childhood onset schizophrenia. Although autism disorder has been previously reported in association with syndromic cavum septum pellucidum, this paper presents a novel association with non-syndromic cavum septum pellucidum. While this association may be incidental, it could contribute to the less-than-expected response to the new therapeutic approach for autism treatment. Therefore, we recommend performing magnetic resonance imaging in cases of autism with a suboptimal response to treatment. The author hopes that this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the heterogenicity of autism disorders and highlights the importance of comprehensive evaluations of suboptimal response to treatment.