Overlap areas and differential diagnosis between autism and schizophrenia. Summary of literature (Review) [Aree di sovrapposizione ed elementi di diagnosi differenziale tra autismo e schizofrenia. Sintesi della letteratura]

Introduction: Although their boundaries are discussed from many years, autism and schizophrenia are account as two different clinical entities. This paper presents a review of literature to identify, on one hand, the overlap areas and, on the other hand, distinctive and typical elements of the two disorders. Discussion: If we see the history of term "autism" and his classification into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, we can notice that the boundaries between the two disorders are initially vague and then increasingly definite. But, in the years, the diagnostic dimensions have broadened and now we talk about an "autism spectrum" and a "schizophrenic spectrum". Conclusions: At the extreme limits of two spectrum, many evidence suggests overlap areas in different levels: clinic, pathogenesis, neuroanatomy, neuropsychology and neuroimaging. Despite these evidences, there is a lack of appropriate instruments to make a correct differential diagnosis. © 2012 Elsevier Srl. All rights reserved.