What Is Savant Syndrome?

Causes

Medical professionals have had difficulty tracing savant syndrome to a specific cause. One conclusion is the belief the way savants build and process memories is extremely different and much more visual in comparison to ordinary individuals. Nevertheless, even this conclusion has been contested as not all skills and talents demonstrated by savants require the capacity to memorize information.

For many savants, the brain demonstrates either injury or abnormality in its left hemisphere. This is the side of the brain responsible for processing language and deeper, abstract thinking. As a result, some researchers think savant syndrome emerges as a hyperexpression of concrete thinking, concentrated fully into one activity. In some cases, this supports cases in which the savant demonstrates an affinity for rote memorization, calendar calculating, or playing an instrument without guidance or notes. However, this does not explain some savants who are extraordinarily talented in the arts, sciences, and engineering.

In some cases, savant syndrome can be genetic. Some scientists believe that during fetal development, two genes combine, one of which is responsible for mental retardation while the other gene carries the affinity for the specific talent displayed. Arguments against genetics being the primary cause of savant syndrome claim the savant's skills do not necessarily correlate to observable skills and abilities within the family history.

Additional arguments for savant syndrome believe the talents emerge as a coping mechanism for isolation occurring during a savant’s upbringing. Many individuals with savant syndrome suffer from difficulties processing language, expressing themselves, reading social cues, and interacting with others. As such, theories have been posited asserting savant syndrome becomes activated cognitively as a strategy for finding additional sensory stimulation, to combat boredom, or to alleviate frustration from social interactions.

Types

Savant syndrome typically receives classification through the circumstances from which the savant syndrome emerges or through the types of talents expressed. Congenital savant syndrome emerges from conditions brought on by birth, meaning the individual was born with some form of mental incapacity. These savants become identified by displaying their impressive talents despite other factors that restrict their cognitive function. Acquired savant syndrome occurs after a traumatic brain injury or damage to the central nervous system that severely hinders mental function, but allows for a specific talent to emerge.

Concerning the kind of talent expressed, savants can excel at mathematical, musical, artistic, or even spatial thinking. Some savants may simply be classified through their extraordinary capacity to memorize specific information such as calendar dates or detailed information regarding past events.