Sara Bulgheroni – författare

This book provides a comprehensive update on multiple aspects of the wide-ranging topic of mental retardation. The opening part of the volume is dedicated to the definition of mental retardation and to the various classification systems, within an epidemiologic perspective. A second core section presents the neuropsychology of mental retardation, considering both the global approach to the identification of the different deficits present in this condition, and the definition of specific cognitive-behavioural phenotypes possibly related to distinct genetic syndromes or gene defects. Of particular interest are some contributions to the neurological diagnosis of mental retardation, providing the clinical description of several specific disorders and genetic syndromes, and outlining the essential diagnostic input provided by genetic tests. The psychiatric comorbidity of mentally retarded subjects is presented, and specific chapters are geared to the medical treatment of mental retardation and the psychopharmacology of the associated neuropsychiatric disorders. A final section deals with several cognitive, psycho-pedagogic, and psycho-educative rehabilitation approaches focusing on the life-long disability deriving from mental retardation.

The aim of this publication is to demonstrate the effect of the neural networks on cognitive functions and behavioural patterns during the development phase of a child. Taking as a basis the previous publication in this series dedicated to brain lesion localisation and development, this time it is by examining in particular the frontal lobe, limbic system (hippocampus and amygdala) and visuo-cognitive system that this book looks at the close links between the neural networks and the future development of visual, cognitive and functional capacities. The section on the frontal lobe concentrates on anatomy, mirror neurons, memory, executive functions, the neuropsychology of frontal lobe epilepsy and the resolution of social problems which can occur as a result of brain damage. The part on the limbic system looks at neuro-anatomical organisation and the core functions of the hippocampus and amygdala, problems of language, music, emotions or autism. Finally, the section dedicated to the visuo-cognitive system summarises the visual field problems associated with focal lesions, the correlation with neuro-imagery and visual impairment in children born prematurely.

Autism is an extremely complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is expressed in a spectrum of phenotypes and is characterised by impaired reciprocal social communication and stereotyped patterns of interests and activities. Its aetiopathogenesis remains poorly understood. This exhaustive synthesis discusses various aspects: A focus on the neurobiology of autism: the candidate genes implicate an involvement of numerous brain regions and a concomitant malfunctioning of neurotransmitter, immunologic, and other mechanisms; The most incisive rehabilitation models in their original formulation and the results achieved with the same or similar protocols in Italian centres (understanding, language therapy, social skill training; The psychopharmacologic options for the condition of autism per se and for its associated, very frequent, comorbidities. It suggests a potential influence on professional practice and enables an up-to-date approach to effective diagnosis and treatment.