The Molecular Basis of Autism

This book is a comprehensive overview of the clinical and scientific aspects of Autism from the leading experts in the field. The clinical section covers everything from epidemiological features to epigenetic regulation to behavioral therapies and much in between. The basic science section presents the latest knowledge on the underlying causes of the disorder including the role of various neurotransmitters, neurexins and neuroligins, reelin, and other proteins. Chapters also explore the cognition and motor control in autism and the connection between oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction and autism. The thorough description of these underlying causes may help researchers and clinicians find more effective treatments and therapies for the 1 in 68 American children who have been diagnosed with Autism.

Preface. - A Brief History of Autism. - Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnostic Considerations. - Epidemiologic Features of Autism Spectrum Disorders. - Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Opportunity and Challenge in the Genetics Clinic. - Epigenetic Regulation in Autism. - Immunology of Autism. - Neuroimaging in Autism Spectrum Disorders. - The Neuropathology of Autism. - Pharmacology of ASD Spectrum Disorder. - Behavioral Therapies. - Autism and Dopamine. - Autism and Glutamate. - Serotonin in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Insights From Human Studies and Animal Models. - Oxytocin and Vasopressin in Autism and Genetic Syndromes. - Molecular basis of cholinergic changes in autistic spectrum disorders and relevance for treatment interventions. - Reelin, GABA, FMRP, and Autism. - The Role of Neurexins and Neuroligins in Autism. - Neurotrophins, their receptors and autism: ligand vs. receptor abnormalities. - Cognition, Motor Control and Other Aspects of Autism: A Pragmatic Review. - Increased vulnerability to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in autism. - Index.