Overview of Physiological Issues Underlying an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis - CME Program
Physiological research and observations are increasingly contradicting the conventional view that autism is a purely genetic and hardwired set of deficits. Systemic and brain metabolic and immune changes, regression, transient and persistent improvement, and remarkable brilliance even in some who can't talk, all suggest that "autism" may arise from an interacting web of physiological problems that create obstruction of function or obstruction of expression rather than deficient capability.
Martha R. Herbert, MD, PhD, MD, PhD
Martha Herbert is a pediatric neurologist and researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Harvard-MIT-HST-Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging. Her TRANSCEND Research Program uses advanced brain imaging techniques and biomarkers to look at the relationship of metabolism, perfusion and brain function, and at brain change with treatment. Her whole baby infant project studies how brain and physiology problems co-emerge starting prenatally and in early infancy.
