by Mason L. Yeh  and Eric S. Levine

Received: 11 April 2017;  Published: 27 April 2017;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1702005

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are diagnosed on the basis of three behavioral features, namely, (1) deficits in social communication, (2) absence or delay in language and (3) stereotypy. The consensus regarding the neurological pathogenesis of ASDs is aberrant synaptogenesis and synapse function. Further, it is now widely accepted that ASD is neurodevelopmental in nature, placing emphasis on derangements occurring at the level of intra- and intercellular signaling during corticogenesis. At present, there is an ev [...]

by Jessie Poquérusse  and Bryan W. Luikart

Received: 10 April 2017;  Published: 24 April 2017;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1702004

Large-scale genetic sequencing studies have identified a wealth of genes in which mutations are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Understanding the biological function of these genes sheds light onto the neurodevelopmental basis of ASD. To this end, we defined functional categories representing brain development – (1) Cell Division and Survival, (2) Cell Migration and Differentiation, (3) Neuronal Morphological Elaboration, (4) Development and Regulation of Cellular Excitability, and (5) Synapse Forma [...]

by Linda J. Larson-Prior  , Gohar Azhar  , David G. Davila  , Se-Ran Jun  , Aaron S. Kemp  , Intawat Nookaew  , Jeanne Y. Wei  and Trudy M. Wassenaar

Received: 22 February 2019;  Published: 12 April 2017;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1702003

(1) Background: The daily rhythms of life on earth are governed by a central clock located in the hypothalamus and entrained primarily by light. By virtue of its connections to a myriad of other clocks located both in the brain and in peripheral organs and cells, this clock provides a timing signal based on the light/dark cycle by which organismal physiology and behaviour are governed. Disturbances of these natural rhythms have multiple downstream effects, frequently resulting in dysregulations of sleep and wake cy [...]

by Laurie C. Delatour  and Hermes H. Yeh

Received: 14 March 2017;  Published: 23 March 2017;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1701002

Maternal consumption of alcohol (ethanol) during pregnancy can lead to life-long neurobehavioral and cognitive abnormalities in the offspring, collectively referred to as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Prenatal exposure to ethanol is one of the leading causes of non-genetic intellectual disability and FASD is an umbrella category that includes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Alcohol Related Birth Defects, and Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Children with a history of&n [...]

by Jenny Berrío  , Weiwen Wang  and Bart A. Ellenbroek

Received: 22 February 2019;  Published: 14 March 2017;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1701001

Antipsychotics have been a pillar in the treatment of schizophrenia since their introduction more than 60 years ago. Their variety in structures and receptor binding properties confers on them a complex clinical profile of effectiveness and risk of adverse side-effects. Although antipsychotics are best known for their therapeutic effects in schizophrenia, these are limited to the positive symptoms, with much less influence on negative symptoms or cognitive deficits. Moreover, although the newer (so-called second-ge [...]