Data compiled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates an alarming and continuing increase in the prevalence of autism. Despite intensive research during the last few decades, autism remains a behavioral defined syndrome wherein diagnostic criteria lack in construct validity. And, contrary to other conditions like diabetes and hypertension, there are no biomarkers for autism. However, new imaging methods are changing the way we think about autism, bringing us closer to a falsifiable definition for the condition, identifying affected individuals earlier in life, and recognizing different subtypes of autism. The imaging modalities discussed in this book emphasize the power of new technology to uncover important clues about the condition with the hope of developing effective interventions. Imaging the Brain in Autism was created to examine autism from a unique perspective that would emphasize results from different imaging technologies. These techniques show brain abnormalities in a significant percentage of patients, abnormalities that translate into aberrant functioning and significant clinical symptomatology. It is our hope that this newfound understanding will make the field work collaborative and provide a path that minimizes technical impediments.

The way you perceive the world, plan, make decisions and communicate your thoughts and feelings depends on the function and hierarchical arrangement of cortical modules. The ability to both provide adaptive responses to our ever-changing environment and to pursue a useful role in society is the most important problem faced by present day neuroscientists. In essence, the workings of cortical modules define the nature of our soul, making each of us who we are. This book provides a breath-taking view of different perspectives by world renowned authorities as to the workings of these cortical modules both in the normal state and in mental disorders.

This book covers state-of-the-art medical image analysis approaches currently pursued in autism research. Chapters cover recent advances in diagnosis using structural neuroimaging. All aspects of imaging are included, such as electrophysiology (EEG, ERP, QEEG, and MEG), postmortem techniques, and advantages and difficulties of depositing/acquiring images in larger databases. The book incorporates 2D, 3D, and 4D imaging and advances scientific research within the broad field of autism imaging.

This book covers recent advances in neural technology that provide for enhancements for brain function. It addresses a broad range of neural phenomena occurring in the brain circuits involved in perception, cognition, emotion and action, that represent the building blocks of behavior and cognition. Augmentation of brain function can be achieved by using brain implants for recordings, stimulation, or drug delivery. Alternative methods include employing brain-machine interfaces, as well as noninvasive activation of certain brain areas. This volume evaluates existing methods of brain augmentation while discussing the brain circuitry and neuronal mechanisms that make augmentation possible. This volume offers novel insights into brain disorders, and explores new devices for brain repair while also addressing the philosophical and ethical implications of brain augmentation. The information in this book is relevant to researchers in the fields of neuroscience, engineering, and clinical practice. Advance Praise for Modern Approaches to Augmentation of Brain Function: "This impressive book by leading experts in neuroscience and neuroengineering lays out the future of brain augmentation, in which the human mind and machine merge, leading to a rapid exponential growth of the power of humanity." Ray Kurzweil, best-selling author, inventor, entrepreneur and a recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation (1999), and the Lemelson-MIT Prize (2001) "This book employs a holistic approach in covering the recent advances in the fields of neuroscience, neuroinformatics, neurotechnology and neuro-psycho-pharmacology. Each chapter of the book covers major aspects of modern brain research in connection with the human mind and behavior, and is authored by researchers with unique expertise in their field. " Ioan Dumitrache, Prof. Dr. Eng. Faculty of Computer Science, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania "This book presents compelling perspectives on what interactive neuroscience will look like in the future, delving into the innovatory ideas of a diverse set of neuroscientists, and speculating on the different ways computer chips implanted in the brains of humans can effect intelligence and communication." Gyoergy Buzsaki, MD, PhD is the Biggs Professor of Neuroscience, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY

This book covers recent advances in neural technology that provide for enhancements for brain function. It addresses a broad range of neural phenomena occurring in the brain circuits involved in perception, cognition, emotion and action, that represent the building blocks of behavior and cognition. Augmentation of brain function can be achieved by using brain implants for recordings, stimulation, or drug delivery. Alternative methods include employing brain-machine interfaces, as well as noninvasive activation of certain brain areas. This volume evaluates existing methods of brain augmentation while discussing the brain circuitry and neuronal mechanisms that make augmentation possible. This volume offers novel insights into brain disorders, and explores new devices for brain repair while also addressing the philosophical and ethical implications of brain augmentation. The information in this book is relevant to researchers in the fields of neuroscience, engineering, and clinical practice. Advance Praise for Modern Approaches to Augmentation of Brain Function: "This impressive book by leading experts in neuroscience and neuroengineering lays out the future of brain augmentation, in which the human mind and machine merge, leading to a rapid exponential growth of the power of humanity." Ray Kurzweil, best-selling author, inventor, entrepreneur and a recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation (1999), and the Lemelson-MIT Prize (2001) "This book employs a holistic approach in covering the recent advances in the fields of neuroscience, neuroinformatics, neurotechnology and neuro-psycho-pharmacology. Each chapter of the book covers major aspects of modern brain research in connection with the human mind and behavior, and is authored by researchers with unique expertise in their field. " Ioan Dumitrache, Prof. Dr. Eng. Faculty of Computer Science, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania "This book presents compelling perspectives on what interactive neuroscience will look like in the future, delving into the innovatory ideas of a diverse set of neuroscientists, and speculating on the different ways computer chips implanted in the brains of humans can effect intelligence and communication." Gyoergy Buzsaki, MD, PhD is the Biggs Professor of Neuroscience, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY

Data compiled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates an alarming and continuing increase in the prevalence of autism. Despite intensive research during the last few decades, autism remains a behavioral defined syndrome wherein diagnostic criteria lack in construct validity. And, contrary to other conditions like diabetes and hypertension, there are no biomarkers for autism. However, new imaging methods are changing the way we think about autism, bringing us closer to a falsifiable definition for the condition, identifying affected individuals earlier in life, and recognizing different subtypes of autism. The imaging modalities discussed in this book emphasize the power of new technology to uncover important clues about the condition with the hope of developing effective interventions. Imaging the Brain in Autism was created to examine autism from a unique perspective that would emphasize results from different imaging technologies. These techniques show brain abnormalities in a significant percentage of patients, abnormalities that translate into aberrant functioning and significant clinical symptomatology. It is our hope that this newfound understanding will make the field work collaborative and provide a path that minimizes technical impediments.

This book offers a multidisciplinary approach to systems theory, investigating its general principles, mathematical models, and applications in health sciences. It describes how leaders in the field have made a transition from equations and models to dilemmas faced in the real world. This book is meant to simplify our understanding of disparate hierarchical and complex open systems in the world by making us aware of patterns of action among its components. These interactions lead to cascading effects within the system which end up changing it as a whole. This self-organization often leads to unpredictable results transforming the system, or integrating the same, into a still more complex system. These results, not necessarily the ones originally sought by their organizers, may offer the system the best opportunity for sustainable and adaptive growth. In the end, readers of this book will gain a basic understanding of systems theory, its application to natural and manmade processes, and how systems grow and equilibrate with their environment in order to continue functioning.

Autism is a condition that hits the patient in places that can't be hidden; in his/her behaviour. It is a condition worn for public scrutiny, blending personal aspects of the patient's life with his/her social environment. It provides for guilt in patients and for Job-like ponderings in their parents. How do you measure the extent of damage to a patient's life or that of the parent's? Present day thinking portrays the problem of autism in the context of a triangle. In this triangle each interconnected vertex alternatively represents the autistic person, pathophysiological theories on causation, and symptoms. This book focuses on certain themes: those physical aspects which make an individual autistic. Although we are willing to entertain both psychological and biological explanations, this book will deal primarily with the biological. Even when these explanations overlap, ultimately, they perform different functions; one biased towards the need to know and the other towards the need to cure.

This book covers state-of-the-art medical image analysis approaches currently pursued in autism research. Chapters cover recent advances in diagnosis using structural neuroimaging. All aspects of imaging are included, such as electrophysiology (EEG, ERP, QEEG, and MEG), postmortem techniques, and advantages and difficulties of depositing/acquiring images in larger databases. The book incorporates 2D, 3D, and 4D imaging and advances scientific research within the broad field of autism imaging.