Full Description
Taking an all-inclusive look at the subject, Understanding Autism: From Basic Neuroscience to Treatment reviews state-of-the-art research on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of autism. The book addresses potential mechanisms that may underlie the development of autism and the neural systems that are likely to be affected by these molecular, genetic, and infectious etiologies. It reviews key findings that inform diagnosis, epidemiology, clinical neuroscience, and treatment.
The book concludes with a discussion of the economic cost of autism and provides a biomedical and public health perspective of the impact of this devastating disease. With chapters authored by clinical and basic researchers at the forefront of molecular and systems neuroscience, clinical neuroscience, and health economics, the book presents a powerful and comprehensive synthesis of current research on autism and its underlying neural substrates. The book's two editors are considered elite pioneers in this area of research. Dr. Rubenstein was recently elected to the highly prestigious Institute of the Medicine, an honor reserved for those most committed to professional achievement and public service.
Contents
Defining the Phenotype of Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Past and Future Perspectives on Autism Epidemiology. Genetic Basis of Autism. Epigenetic Mechanisms in Autism: Methylation and Imprinting. Synapse Formation. Fear and Anxiety Pathways. Learning and Memory. Basal Ganglia and the Cerebellum. Language. Prefrontal Cortex and Executive Functions. Sensory Systems. Attention. The Neural Basis of Social Affiliative Behavior. The Thalamus and Neuromodulatory Systems. Neurovirology and Other Environmental Effects. Neuroanatomy, Neuropathology, and Neurochemistry. Neuroimaging. Neuropsychology and Neurophysiology. Neurobiology of Related Disorders: Tuberous Sclerosis and Fragile X Syndrome. Pharmacogenomics and Drug Discovery. Advocacy and Promoting Research. Social Economics of Autism. Sciencewatch on Autism-Book Summary.
