The increasing number of people being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) cannot simply be explained by changes in diagnostic criteria or greater awareness of the condition. In this controversial new book, Richard Lathe contends that the recent rise in cases of ASDs is a result of increased exposure to environmental toxicity combined with genetic predisposition.Autism, Brain and Environment proposes that autism is a disorder of the limbic brain, which is damaged by toxic heavy metals present in the environment. Lathe argues that most ASD children have additional physiological problems and that these, far from being separate from the psychiatric aspects of ASD, can produce and exacerbate the condition. This important and groundbreaking text provides a closely-argued scientific case for the involvement of both environmental and physiological factors in autism. Lathe's argument will also have a direct impact on treatment strategies and options. It will be of great interest to the scientific community, professionals, researchers, political and environmental lobbyists, teachers, psychologists, and parents and people with ASDs.
1. Introduction. 2. Autism and autism spectrum disorders: the problem of recognition and diagnosis. 3. Genetic contribution to autistic spectrum disorders: diversity and insufficiency. 4. New phase autism: rising prevalence. 5. Brain abnormalities: focus on the limbic brain. 6. Limbic dysfunction correlates with the autistic phenotype. 7. Environmental factors, heavy metals, and brain function. 8. Gut, hormones, immunity: physiological dysregulation in autism. 9. Body and mind: impact of physiological changes on brain and behaviour in ASD. 10. Biomedical Therapy: typing and correction. 11. The Environmental threat: From autism and ADHD to Alzheimer's. Index.
'Richard Lathe has written a remarkable synthesis of the biomedical evidence relevant to understanding the causes of autism spectrum conditions. As an excellent scientist, he is concerned with achieving an objectivity in his review of a very large number of studies. He draws on evidence from the diverse fields of genetics, endocrinology, immunology, toxicology, virology, and neuroscience, to name just a few. There are few individuals with his grasp of the basic science who could have pulled off such a masterly review. He balances his theory of environmental (heavy metal toxicity) factors with a recognition of genetic susceptibility factors. His book will be of great value to researchers, as well as to parents or people with an autism spectrum condition, who are interested in a serious summary of the science of autism.' - Simon Baron-Cohen Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at Cambridge University and Director of the Autism Research Centre, Cambridge
