Main description:

Written by child neurologists, this comprehensive, multi-authored volume on autism systematically discusses the classification, epidemiology and neurobiology of autism. Autism lacks a unique etiology or specific pathology, so the behaviorally defined social deficits, language impairments and repetitive behaviors that define autism are explored from a developmental neurology perspective. The evidence suggesting that autism is a disorder of neuronal development is reviewed by experts on the genetics, neuroanatomy and neuroradiology, neurochemistry, immunology, and neurophysiology of autism. Chapters provide comprehensive reviews of the common neurological problems associated with autism such as epilepsy, sleep disturbances and motor and sensory deficits. Neuropsychological assessment, medical and psychopharmacologic management, educational and behavioral interventions, and outcome are discussed within the clinical content of the practising neurologist. The research agenda needed to understand the neurology of autism is emphasized throughout the book and in the conclusion.

Contents:

1. Where we are: overview and definitions I. Rapin and R. Tuchman; 2. Epidemiology of autistic spectrum disorders E. Trevathan and S. Shinnar; 3. The social deficit in autism R. Tuchman; 4. Language and communication: clinical assessment and differential diagnosis I. Rapin; 5. Stereotypes and repetitive behaviors: clinical assessment and neurobiology J. Mink and D. Mandelbaum; 6. Neurobiology of autism M. V. Johnston, M.D. and M. E. Blue, Ph.D.; 7. Genetic aspects of autism M. Acosta and P. Pearl; 8. Neuroanatomy and neuroradiology M. Herbert and V. Caviness; 9. Neuroimmunology and neurotransmitters in autism S. L. Connors, M.D., C. A. Pardo, M.D. and A. W. Zimmerman, M.D.; 10. Electrophysiology and epilepsy in autism K. Kelly and S. Moshe; 11. Autism, epilepsy and EEG epileptiform activity E. Roulet-Perez and T. Deonna; 12. Sleep and autism spectrum disorders B. Malow and S. G. McGrew; 13. Motor deficits in autism S. Mostofsky and Jen C. Gidley Larson; 14. Pathophysiology of autism: evaluation of sleep and locomotion Y. Nomura and M. Segawa; 15. Neuropsychological assessment: basic concepts and clinical utility Susan K. Klein; 16. Treatment approaches for autism spectrum disorders M. Mintz, M. Alessandri and P. Curatolo; 17. Outcomes of children with autism Evdokia Anagnostou FRCP and Michael Shevell FRCP; 18. What we have learned, where we need to go R. Tuchman and I. Rapin.