Power Point Presentation By: Derrick MacFabe, MD Brain Function and Behavior in Autism? This lecture examines the possible role of infectious agents in the causes and symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders, with ASD as a key focus. It discusses the effects of a series of infectious and dietary agents of increasing incidence that are capable of inducing brain changes and behaviors (i.e. aggression, hyperactivity, obsessive compulsive behavior, social impairment, sensory sensitivity) in humans and experimental animals. Dr. MacFabe presents his current research examining a panel of gut bacterial metabolic products (i.e. short chain fatty acids) associated with antibiotic associated diarrhea, and their ability to produce neuroinflammatory, oxidative stress, epigenetic and behavioral changes resembling those found in ASDs. It discusses the hypothesis that ASDs are produced by opportunistic pre- or post-natal antibiotic resistant gastrointestinal infections in sensitive sub-populations.
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