The Neurochemical Basis of Autism : From Molecules to Minicolumns

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__** 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 these areas. 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. 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 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 these areas. 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 Front Matter....Pages i-xv Autism Spectrum Disorders: Clinical and Medical Perspectives....Pages 1-11 The Male Prevalence in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Hypotheses on its Neurobiological Basis....Pages 13-28 Neuroanatomical-Behavioral Correlates in Autism: A Working Hypothesis....Pages 29-43 The Morphology of Minicolumns....Pages 45-68 The Developmental Neuropathology of Autism....Pages 69-82 Understanding Alterations During Human Brain Development with Molecular Imaging: Role in Determining Serotonin and GABA Mechanisms in Autism....Pages 83-93 Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) as a Biomarker of GABAergic Activity in Autism: Impact on Cerebellar Circuitry and Function....Pages 95-111 Epigenetic Dysregulation of 15q11-13 GABA A Receptor Genes in Autism....Pages 113-127 Cholinergic Component of Autism Spectrum Disorder....Pages 129-161 Oxytocin and Autism....Pages 163-173 The Role of the Noradrenergic System in Autism Spectrum Disorders....Pages 175-184 Oxidative Stress in Autism and Its Implications for Dopamine-Stimulated Phospholipid Methylation....Pages 185-199 Neuroligins and Neurexins: Synaptic Bridges Implicated in Autism....Pages 201-215 The Neurophysical Chemistry of Autism: Postulates from Intelligence Modeling....Pages 217-243 Pharmacological Treatment of Autism....Pages 245-267 Back Matter....Pages 269-295 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. Addressing the physiological, neuropathological, neurochemical, and clinical elements of autism, a group of mostly European and American researchers working in neurology, neurobiology, pediatrics, pharmacology, genetics, mental health, and other fields cover etiologies, early identification, and advancements in medical care and associated disorders A perceived rise in autism worldwide has led to a dramatic increase in autism research. This is a uniquely interdisciplinary text that presents the latest findings regarding the physiological, neuropathological, neurochemical and clinical elements of autism.