Clinical neurological abnormalities in young adults with Asperger syndrome.

Children with Asperger syndrome (AS), a neurodevelopmental disorder falling in the autism spectrum disorders, have an increased rate of neurological abnormalities, especially in motor coordination. While AS is a lifelong condition, little is known about the persistence of neurological abnormalities in adulthood. Twenty young adults with AS were compared with 10 healthy controls using a structured clinical neurological rating scale. The score for neurological abnormalities was higher in the AS group. In addition, a subscore for neurological soft signs indicating defective functioning of the central nervous system with a non-localizing value was significantly higher in the AS subjects. This preliminary study indicates that neurological abnormalities, soft signs in particular, represent a non-specific vulnerability factor for AS. Consistent with other features of AS, neurological abnormalities seem to persist into adulthood.