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Knowledge of the neurobiological and neurochemical bases of many pathological processes in the brain is of overwhelming importance in orienting and modulating the therapy, monitoring the patient and maintaining the affected brain functions at least at an optimal level. The neurochemistry and neurobiology of autism still have serious unexplained and insufficiently studied gaps. In its essence, autism is a neurobiological or neurogenetic condition with the involvement of several organs or systems, although the central nervous system is predominant. There is significant evidence to support the hypothesis that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is largely a disorder of the association cortex and its neural connectivity. The association cortex refers to regions of the cerebral cortex involved in integrating sensory information, linking it to memory and cognition, and enabling complex behaviors such as social interaction and communication areas that are often impacted by autism. Intracortical connectivity also seems to be disturbed. The pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of environmental, immunological, genetic and epigenetic factors. These elements likely interact early in the development, influencing both neuroanatomical and neurochemical processes in the central nervous system. While researchers have identified several neurochemical pathways associated with ASD, how these pathways interact to cause the core symptoms of autism – such as social communication deficits, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors – remains incompletely understood. The impact on parents, on social life, and the adaptation or maladaptation of the autistic person to the gradual demands of society are delicate aspects that require an indepth study, a lot of patience and dedication of the specialized and nonspecialized personnel who come into contact with an autistic child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Encephalitis with anti-NMDA receptor antibodies is one of the most common autoimmune encephalitis, after acute demyelinating encephalitis. Recent data from the specialized literature bring attention to a series of hypothetical mechanisms regarding the causes of the symptoms of encephalitis with anti-NMDA receptor antibodies. Beyond these, the acute psychosis that can occur is associated with the presence in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of antibodies directed at the NR1a subunit of the NMDA receptor, which causes a slowing of the activity of neurons at this level. Behavioral, mood and cognitive disorders can be the cause of reversible atrophy predominantly in the frontotemporal area, where NMDA receptors are densely distributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pediatru.ro is the property of MEDICHUB MEDIA, S.R.L. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Biological, chemical and biochemical processes are always the basis of the initiation of a complex cascade of neuropathological events from which symptoms, syndromes and their clinical manifestations derive. Regarding the neurobiology and neurochemistry of some neuropeptides (in the present exposition, substance P) with implications in psychiatry and neurology, the specialized literature from us has been, somehow, scarce in the last decades. This article points out the conclusions of some previous studies regarding the neuropathology of substance P. Last but not least, the relevance of these studies brings, of course, an important contribution to the design and development of future treatment modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction, mediated by autoantibodies against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and muscle-specific tyrosine kinase. A characteristic feature of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness/fatigue, which worsens on physical exertion, sometimes minimal, sometimes prolonged. The clinical forms, symptomatology, associated diseases, clinical evolution and treatment are important aspects, worthy of the family doctor’s attention, given the fact that myasthenia is a real diagnostic trap, sometimes even for the neurologist. This presentation summarizes the main aspects that any family doctor must take into account when dealing with a myasthenic patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutionalized children often suffer from a vulnerability and neglect that can affect their lives throughout its course, leaving even the sequelae that imprint them and a certain delay in their hormonal, physical and emotional-behavioural development. The environment from which these children come, the family particularities and the nature of the institutionalization, are decisive factors that exert their action and impact in time, often leaving irreversible wounds with a sufficiently visible imprint on the adult life. This article is intended for the analysis of some retroactive findings, observed in institutionalized children aged between 2 and 8 years, findings from more special points of view that have not been the subject of many publications found in the literature. Thus, are described particularities of behavior during institutionalization as well as "post-institutional syndrome", cerebral impairments at the neurobiological and neurogenetic level, delays and deviations in the development of the intellect and, subsequently, their integration into society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drugs with an effect on the immune system, such as corticosteroids, antihistamines and immunosuppressants, have been and are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory, allergic and autoimmune diseases. Recent advances in immunopharmacological research have provided new classes of clinically relevant drugs. These include protein kinase and biological inhibitors, such as monoclonal antibodies, used not only in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, but also in a number of other human pathologies. In this article, certain elements of immunobiology and laboratory immunology are brought back to attention, meant to highlight their indispensable role in immunopharmacological research. There are also presented the main classes of drugs used in the treatment of allergic, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, as well as in the treatment of associated diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]