The Neurochemical Basis of Autism: From Molecules to Minicolumns 2010th Edition
Author(s): Gene J. Blatt
Publisher: Springer
Publication Date: 14 Dec. 2009
Edition: 2010th
Language: English
Print length: 310 pages
ISBN-10: 1441912711
ISBN-13: 9781441912718
Book Description
Withtherecentlyperceivedincreaseinincidenceofautismandtherealizationthat “autism”mayactuallybe”autisms”withsubsetsofaffectedindividuals,researchers have been pursuing the possibility that there may be multiple etiologies for the disorder.Althoughmostautismstudieshavefocusedongeneticsandadvancedn- roimaging,thereisapaucityofresearchaimedatdeterminingtheneurochemical basisofautism.Identifyingcoreneuralsubstratesorkeybiomarkersisessentialto understandingthemechanisticbasisthatmayinpartunderlie”autisms.”Alterations inmolecules,proteins,receptors,andsynapticelementsaresomeofthecontrib- ingsubstratesthatcouldresultinaltereddevelopmentalprocesses,changedsynaptic function,andaberrationsinconnectivity.Itisnowapparentthatmultiplebrainareas are affected in autism, and neuropathological defects have been described within corticalandsubcorticalnetworks.Althoughrecentprogresshasbeenmadeinid- tifyingsomeofthegenesthatmayunderliethedisorder,muchattentionhasalso beengiventoepigeneticand/orenvironmentalfactorsthatmaycontributetosubsets ofautisticindividuals. The contributors to this book were hand selected because of their expertise in their respective ?elds. Individually each chapter presents a unique perspective into the clinical, developmental, neurochemical, and/or physical chemical basis of autism. The contributing authors summarize current research ?ndings in their respective areas and also present novel ideas and propose hypotheses and p- sible mechanisms that may be operative during development and the potential consequencesofhavingdefectsinspeci?cmolecules,receptors,orgenes. Thesubtitle”FromMoleculestoMinicolumns”wasinsertedbecauseofmuch recent attention given to alterations in the basic organization of mini- or mic- columns of neurons in cerebral cortical areas in autism. These especially include prefrontalcorticalareasthatundergoanovergrowthduringearlypostnataldevel- mentinmanyindividualswithautism.Tothisend,theworldrenownedDr.Alan Peters,theneuroanatomistthatoriginallydescribedmini-ormicro-columnaror- nizationinthecerebralcortex,wasrecruitedtowriteachapterinthisbookgiving hisexpertperspectiveontheissueinautism. The book begins with highly respected clinician, Dr. Margaret L. Bauman, DirectoroftheLADDERSclinicintheBostonarea,withaclinicalandmedicalp- spectiveofautismdiscussingetiologies,clinicalpresentation,earlyidenti?cation, vii viii Preface advancementsinmedicalcare,andassociateddisorders.Inthechapter”TheMale Prevalence in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Hypotheses on its Neurobiological Basis”,ItalianresearchersDrs.FlavioKellerandLilianaRutapresentneuroch- ical hypotheses as the basis for the predominance of male prevalence in autism discussing the possible roles of estrogen, testosterone, oxytocin, and vasopressin in the organization of brain circuits and hemispheric specialization. Psychiatrist Dr. Ricardo Vella relates neuropathologies in autism, in the limbic and cereb- lar regions, to speci?c behaviors and presents a developmental perspective and hypotheses regarding emotional and attachment behaviors in autistic individuals.
Editorial Reviews
Review
From the reviews: “In this much needed book aimed at researchers, scientists and clinicians, Blatt (anatomy and neurobiology, Boston U) assembles 15 chapters that focus on the neurochemical basis of autism a little studied topic. … Lay abstracts and summaries at the end are aimed at parents, siblings and caregivers.” (SciTech Book News, June, 2010)
From the Back Cover
The recent perceived rise in autism worldwide has spurned a dramatic increase in autism research, but few studies have focused on determining the neurochemical basis of the disorder. The Neurochemical Basis of Autism: From Molecules to Minicolumns 2010th Edition is a uniquely vital and interdisciplinary text that presents the latest findings and newest ideas regarding the physiological, neuropathological, neurochemical and clinical elements of autism.
This book contains an array of unique perspectives on autism from top researchers in their respective fields. It begins with a clinical and medical perspective that discusses etiologies, early identification, advancements in medical care and associated disorders. It then proceeds to cover a variety of topics such as neuropathological changes in autism to the pre- and post-natal development timing of the disorder, changes in the cerebellum in autism, the role of oxytocin in autism, the relationship of oxidative stress and autism, a comprehensive review of pharmacotherapies, and much more. Lastly, the book recounts the novel hypotheses being used to explore the causes and cures of the disorder.
Chapter introductions and lay abstracts make this book as accessible to the parents, siblings and caretakers of autistic children as it is indispensable to the scientists, researchers and clinicians on the front line of this baffling affliction.
About the Editor
Dr. Gene J. Blatt is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Boston University School of Medicine. He received his Ph.D. specializing in Neuroanatomy at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. For the past 10 years, Dr. Blatt’s research interests have focused on the neuropathological and neurochemical basis of autism, utilizing cerebellar, limbic and cerebral cortical human postmortem tissue and he has published extensively in theseareas. A specific focus has been on the GABA system in autism and Dr. Blatt was one of the first researchers to demonstrate GABAergic abnormalities in the autism brain.
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