A Perspective on the Neurobiological Basis of Autism by Salvo, Michele Di;

Short description:

This book explores the validity of early neuroinflammation as the cause of autism and focuses on the synthesis of research by deepening the discussion of topics related to genetic research, heavy metals, the process of infection and neuroinflammation. It covers the most accepted scientific theories with overview of new frontiers of research.

Long description:

This unique book explores the validity of early neuroinflammation as the cause of autism.

If in his previous book, the author had focused on the evolution of the diagnosis of autism over the last century, delving into the psychological, epidemiological and sociological aspects, in this book - the most comprehensive and articulate on this aspect - he has concentrated on the synthesis of research by deepening the discussion of topics related to genetic research, heavy metals, the process of infection and neuroinflammation, and the BDNF thesis. It covers the most accepted scientific theories, providing an overview of new frontiers of research. Finally, it introduces new strategies and tools for diagnosis and new frontiers of intervention.

It will be a useful resource for professionals and researchers in autism spectrum disorders and neurobiology. It will also be an interesting read for undergraduate and postgraduate students of autism, neuroscience, and genetics.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1
FROM "AUTISM RESEARCH BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE" TO "A PERSPECTIVE ON THE NEUROBIOLOGICAL BASIS OF AUTISM AND NEW FRONTIERS".

Chapter 2
THE ROLE OF BDNF IN THE ONSET OF AUTISM
• The Thesis I Proposed
• The Role of BDNF
• The BDNF Dysfunction/Disregulation Thesis
• The Basis of Genetic Susceptibility
• Experimental Evidence (Updated)
• A Unified Proposal
• The Central Role of BDNF
• A Different Definition of Autism

Chapter 3
THE ORIGIN OF CONNECTOPATHY: A CIRCUIT HYPOTHESIS OF NEUROINFLAMMATION AND BDNF DYSREGULATION IN THE ONSET OF AUTISM

• Autism as a Connectopathy
• The Neuroinflammatory Hypothesis
• Patterns of the Neuroinflammatory Process

Chapter 4
GENETICS, EPIGENETICS AND ENVIRONMENT IN AUTISM
• From Genetic Susceptibility To Epigenetics
• The Immune System Of The Brain And Its Relationship With The Digestive System
• Gastrointestinal Problems In Autistic People

Chapter 5
GENETIC RESEARCH INTO AUTISM: THE “GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY BASIS”
• Molecular Genetics and the Emergence of the “Autism Spectrum”
• "De Novo" Mutations
• The Overall State of Autism Genetics Research
• Major Genes Involved in Autism

Chapter 6
THE CENTRAL ROLE OF SHANK FAMILY GENES IN INFLAMMATION AND AUTISM
• The SHANK Protein Family
• The Shank-Inflammation Link
• Shank-Zinc Correlation
• Synaptic assembly of ProSAP1/Shank2 and ProSAP2/Shank3 proteins is affected by Zn2+ deficiency

Chapter 7
CEREBRAL CHARACTERISTICS IN AUTISM AND THE ROLE OF SHANK FAMILY GENES
• The Role of Shank Family Genes in Synaptic Configuration
• The Association Of The AMPA Receptor With Dysfunction The Cerebro-Cerebellar Circuit in Autism
• AMPA Receptors And Dendritic Compartment Physiology
• Phelan Mcdermid syndrome, 22q13 deletion And Other Autistic Etiologies Related To SHANK3
• Cerebellar Involvement in Autism
• Cerebellar Anatomy And Neuronal Specification

Chapter 8
SHANK GENES, ZINC AND GLUTAMATE RECEPTORS IN THE AETIOLOGY OF AUTISM
• NMDAR and Synaptic Plasticity
• Zinc and NMDAR

• Pathological Effects on NMDAR Receptors
• Role of SHANKs with NMDAR in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Chapter 9
DOPAMINE RECEPTORS IN THE ETIOLOGY OF AUTISM
• Dopamine BDNF and Autism Ontogenesis
• Mesolimbic DAergic Social Reward, Brain Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance and Autism
• Dysregulated Neurotransmitter Signaling in Autism
• DAergic Dysregulation and Neurocognitive Manifestations in Autism

Chapter 10
THE ROLE OF ZINC AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN THE AETIOLOGY OF AUTISM
• The Role Of Zinc
• Zinc's Role in the Immune System
• Zinc-Serotonin Interaction
• Zinc and the Immune System
• The Relationship Between Zinc's Role in Metabolism And the Comorbidities of Autism
• Sensory Perception, Food Selectivity And Zn In Autistic People
• Biomarkers of Autism
• Zinc And Microbiota In Autism

Chapter 11
INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF AUTISM
• Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation
• Neuroinflammation in Autism
• The Role of H3R in Microglial Activation And Neuroinflammation in Autism

Chapter 12
THE ROLE OF ZINC IN INFLAMMATION PROCESS IN THE AETIOLOGY OF AUTISM
• The Role of Zinc
• NF-κB and Other Signaling Pathways

• Oxidative Stress
• Zinc Status and Inflammatory Cytokines
• Zinc in Infection and Nutritional Immunity
• Zinc as a Critical Component of the Membrane Barrier

Chapter 13
PRENATAL INFECTION AND INFLAMMATION IN THE AETIOLOGY OF AUTISM
• MicroRNA Dysregulation in the Pathophysiology of Autism

Chapter 14
THE ROLE OF METALS AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE AETIOLOGY OF AUTISM
• Trace Elements Characteristics And Their Roles in Biological Functions
• The Role of Trace Metals in Autism
• Individual Elements
• Trace Metal Homeostasis and Autism
• Mechanisms Involved in Environmental Influence On Neurodevelopment

Chapter 15
PATHOMECHANISM OF METALS IN AUTISM
• Association Between Autism And Metals
• Pathomechanisms of Heavy Metal Overload in Autism
• Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction
• Neuroinflammation
• Axonal Demyelination
• Competition with Essential Metals and Specifically Zinc
• Toxic Metals That Cause Zinc Deficiency
• Deficiencies

Chapter 16
THE ROLE OF SUSCEPTIBILITY-INDUCING COFACTORS IN THE AETIOLOGY OF AUTISM: ACETAMINOPHEN, PARACETAMOL AND GLYSOPHATE
• Acetaminophen Metabolism
• Acetaminophen and Glyphosate Emergencies

• The Role of Vasostatin1 in the Neuroinflammatory Process

Chapter 17
NEW DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS (NOT ONLY) FOR AUTISM
• How Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Can Contribute to Research and Diagnosis
• The TBM
• The Quantum Magnetic Resonance Analyzer (QMRA)
• Gaming

Chapter 18
NEW THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION TOOLS (NOT ONLY) FOR AUTISM
• The Zn-Shankopathies Relationship
• Shank3 Lithium Treatment
• Zinc Deficiencies and Supplements
• Other Pathways of Action on Neurotransmitters and Histamine
• Choline Supplementation

Chapter 19 CONCLUSIONS

INDEX
• Names Index
• Word-Subjects Index