Preface

With the recently perceived increase in incidence of autism and the realization that “autism” may actually be “autisms” with subsets of affected individuals, researchers have been pursuing the possibility that there may be multiple etiologies for the disorder. Although most autism studies have focused on genetics and advanced neuroimaging, there is a paucity of research aimed at determining the neurochemical basis of autism. Identifying core neural substrates or key biomarkers is essential to understanding the mechanistic basis that may in part underlie “autisms.” Alterations in molecules, proteins, receptors, and synaptic elements are some of the contributing substrates that could result in altered developmental processes, changed synaptic function, and aberrations in connectivity. It is now apparent that multiple brain areas are affected in autism, and neuropathological defects have been described within cortical and subcortical networks. Although recent progress has been made in identifying some of the genes that may underlie the disorder, much attention has also been given to epigenetic and/or environmental factors that may contribute to subsets of autistic individuals. The contributors to this book were hand selected because of their expertise in their respective fields. Individually each chapter presents a unique perspective into the clinical, developmental, neurochemical, and/or physical chemical basis of autism. The contributing authors summarize current research findings in their respective areas and also present novel ideas and propose hypotheses and possible mechanisms that may be operative during development and the potential consequences of having defects in specific molecules, receptors, or genes. The subtitle “From Molecules to Minicolumns” was inserted because of much recent attention given to alterations in the basic organization of minior microcolumns of neurons in cerebral cortical areas in autism. These especially include prefrontal cortical areas that undergo an overgrowth during early postnatal development in many individuals with autism. To this end, the world renowned Dr. Alan Peters, the neuroanatomist that originally described minior micro-columnar organization in the cerebral cortex, was recruited to write a chapter in this book giving his expert perspective on the issue in autism. The book begins with highly respected clinician, Dr. Margaret L. Bauman, Director of the LADDERS clinic in the Boston area, with a clinical and medical perspective of autism discussing etiologies, clinical presentation, early identification,