Brief report: Should Asperger syndrome be excluded from the forthcoming DSM-V?

Asperger syndrome (AS) is a pervasive developmental disorder, characterized by social impairments and focused, circumscribed interests and activities in the absence of significant language impairment and cognitive delay. Since its inclusion in the DSM-IV, there has been a dramatic increase in its recognition both in children and adults. Some recent studies suggest that there may be differences between AS and high-functioning autism (HFA) on behavioural, cognitive and neurobiological levels. As the majority of studies so far have generally failed to demonstrate a clear distinction between AS and HFA, some researchers have called for eliminating AS from the forthcoming DSM-V. This paper reports some interesting differences between the conditions on different levels and argues for more experimental studies on AS, modifications of its diagnostic criteria, and for its continued retention in the diagnostic manual.

Research highlights
► It is too early to conclude with certainty whether AS and HFA are different or identical conditions.
► There is some seed of evidence that not only differences in language abilities but also other cognitive functions may be different in the two conditions.
► Studies suggest that there may be a distinct pattern of social behaviour in these conditions.
► Recent studies have identified neurobiological differences between the two conditions; we do not know whether AS is genetically identical or a disorder distinct from autism.
► There may be a significant difference between AS and HFA in certain brain functions.