Martha Herbert

Last updated
Martha Reed Herbert
Alma mater University of California, Santa Cruz
Known forEnvironmental causes of autism
Scientific career
Fields Child psychiatry
Institutions Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital
Thesis Evolution as a learning process in Marx, Piaget and Habermas  (1981)

Martha Herbert is an American physician and assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School [1] and pediatric neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Herbert is also director of the TRANSCEND program at the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging. [2]

Contents

Education

Herbert graduated, and received her medical degree, from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons after obtaining a doctoral degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She trained in evolutionary biology and the development of learning processes, and performed postdoctoral work in the philosophy and history of science. [3]

Career

Herbert began seeing patients in a psychiatry clinic in 1996; these patients suffered from a variety of psychological disabilities, including headaches, seizures, behavioral-control problems, obsessions, and tics. However, as time went on she began seeing a higher proportion of autistic children. Around the same time, she was conducting a number of neuroimaging studies on differences in the brains of autistic children, and as a result of this research, she concluded that autism is a disorder that affects the entire body, not just the brain. [4]

Autism research

Herbert has claimed that many children with autism have biomedical problems, and that these problems exacerbate the symptoms of autism. [5] Her research focuses on attributing the development of autism to the existence of certain predisposing genes, with her coauthors on this topic including Peter Szatmari. [6] In addition, some of her research focuses on the possible existence of enlarged superficial white matter in the brains of people with autism, as well as developmental language disorder. [7] [8] [9] [10]

Views on environmental autism causes

More recently, Herbert published an opinion paper in 2010 which argued, among other things, that "Systemic and central nervous system pathophysiology, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction can be consistent with a role for environmental influence," [11] as well as a case report in the Journal of Child Neurology , which described a patient with autistic symptoms who improved markedly after she was placed on a gluten-free, casein-free diet. [12]

Herbert has been a regular presenter at anti-vaccine conferences. [13]

Herbert's view of environmental causes of autism has been ruled inadmissible by a Massachusetts Superior Court judge, who said "Dr. Herbert’s method is not generally accepted in the scientific community. Dr. Herbert’s theory of environmental triggers of autism may some day prove true. It has not yet. Her proffered testimony does not meet the standard of reliability required by the case law, and cannot be admitted in evidence at trial." [14]

Herbert has threatened to sue journalists for reporting her views. [15]

The Autism Revolution

Herbert is also the author of a book, The Autism Revolution: Whole-Body Strategies for Making Life All It Can Be, published in 2012 by Ballantine Books. In the book, she recounts stories of children with autism who followed recommendations to receive unconventional autism treatments, and whose conditions improved--"sometimes dramatically so", according to Herbert. [16] It was reviewed in the Washington Post, [16] the Journal of Hospital Librarianship, [17] and Kirkus Reviews. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asperger syndrome</span> Former neurodevelopmental diagnosis

Asperger syndrome (AS), also known as Asperger's, is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests. The syndrome is no longer recognised as a diagnosis in itself, having been merged with other conditions into autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It was considered to differ from other diagnoses that were merged into ASD by relatively unimpaired spoken language and intelligence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorna Wing</span> British autism researcher (1928–2014)

Lorna Gladys Wing was an English psychiatrist. She was a pioneer in the field of childhood developmental disorders, who advanced understanding of autism worldwide, introduced the term Asperger syndrome in 1976 and was involved in founding the National Autistic Society (NAS) in the UK.

A pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (Including atypical autism) (PDD-NOS) is one of four disorders which have been collapsed into the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in the DSM-5 and also was one of the five disorders classified as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) in the DSM-IV. According to the DSM-4, PDD-NOS is a diagnosis that is used for "severe or pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction and/or verbal and nonverbal communication skills, or when stereotyped behavior, interests, and/or activities are present, but the criteria are not met for a specific PDD" or for several other disorders. PDD-NOS includes atypical autism, because the criteria for autistic disorder are not met, for instance because of late age of onset, atypical symptomatology, or subthreshold symptomatology, or all of these. Even though PDD-NOS is considered milder than typical autism, this is not always true. While some characteristics may be milder, others may be more severe.

Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), also known as Heller's syndrome and disintegrative psychosis, is a rare condition characterized by late onset of developmental delays—or severe and sudden reversals—in language, social engagement, bowel and bladder, play and motor skills. Researchers have not been successful in finding a cause for the disorder. CDD has some similarity to autism and is sometimes considered a low-functioning form of it. In May 2013, CDD, along with other sub-types of PDD, was fused into a single diagnostic term called "autism spectrum disorder" under the new DSM-5 manual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Controversies in autism</span> Controversies about both the cause of autism and the nature of the diagnoses themselves

Diagnoses of autism have become more frequent since the 1980s, which has led to various controversies about both the cause of autism and the nature of the diagnoses themselves. Whether autism has mainly a genetic or developmental cause, and the degree of coincidence between autism and intellectual disability, are all matters of current scientific controversy as well as inquiry. There is also more sociopolitical debate as to whether autism should be considered a disability on its own.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neurodiversity</span> Non-pathological explanation of variations in mental functions

Neurodiversity refers to diversity in the human brain and cognition, for instance in sociability, learning, attention, mood, and other mental functions. It provides an inclusive view of cognitive diversity, highlighting the differences at a neuro-biological level while considering the socio-cultural contexts of a human's lived experience.

The UC Davis MIND Institute is a research and treatment center affiliated with the University of California, Davis, with facilities located on the UC Davis Medical Center campus in Sacramento, California. The institute is a consortium of scientists, educators, physicians and parents dedicated to researching the causes of and treatments for autism spectrum disorders, fragile X syndrome, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. The director of the MIND institute is Dr. Leonard Abbeduto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heritability of autism</span>

The heritability of autism is the proportion of differences in expression of autism that can be explained by genetic variation; if the heritability of a condition is high, then the condition is considered to be primarily genetic. Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations with major effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Causes of autism</span> Proposed causes of autism

Many causes of autism have been proposed, but understanding of the theory of causation of autism, or otherwise known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is incomplete. Attempts have been made to incorporate the known genetic and environmental causes into a comprehensive causative framework. ASD is a complex developmental condition marked by persistent challenges to social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors and its phenotypes vary significantly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autism therapies</span> Therapy aimed at improving quality of life and adaptive skills in autistic people

Autism therapies include a wide variety of therapies that help people with autism, or their families. Such methods of therapy also seek the increase of functional independence in autistic people. Many therapies marketed towards autistic people and/or their parents claim outcomes that have not been supported by Level of Research (LOE) Level 1 Level 1 research includes evidence from a systematic review or meta-analysis of all relevant RCTs or evidence-based clinical practice guidelines based on systematic reviews of RCTs or three or more RCTs of good quality that have similar results.

The epidemiology of autism is the study of the incidence and distribution of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). A 2022 systematic review of global prevalence of autism spectrum disorders found a median prevalence of 1% in children in studies published from 2012 to 2021, with a trend of increasing prevalence over time. However, the study’s 1% figure may reflect an underestimate of prevalence in low- and middle-income countries.

Asperger syndrome (AS) was formerly a separate diagnosis under autism spectrum disorder. Under the DSM-5 and ICD-10, patients formerly diagnosable with Asperger syndrome are diagnosable with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is now an outdated term, and is considered offensive by many autistic individuals. It was named after Hans Asperger (1906–80), who was an Austrian psychiatrist and pediatrician. An English psychiatrist, Lorna Wing, popularized the term "Asperger's syndrome" in a 1981 publication; the first book in English on Asperger syndrome was written by Uta Frith in 1991 and the condition was subsequently recognized in formal diagnostic manuals later in the 1990s. Details of Hans Asperger's actions as a psychiatrist in Nazi era Austria, made public in 2018, incited debate of the syndrome's name and public lobbying for a renaming of the syndrome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classic autism</span> Medical condition

Kanner syndrome, officially childhood autism, was a neurodevelopmental diagnosis before the release of the DSM-5 and ICD-11. It has been superseded by autism spectrum disorder. In daily speech it is often referred to as "classic autism", or "Kanner autism."

Several factors complicate the diagnosis of Asperger syndrome (AS), an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Like other ASD forms, Asperger syndrome is characterized by impairment in social interaction accompanied by restricted and repetitive interests and behavior; it differs from the other ASDs by having no general delay in language or cognitive development. Problems in diagnosis include disagreement among diagnostic criteria, the controversy over the distinction between AS and other ASD forms or even whether AS exists as a separate syndrome, and over- and under-diagnosis for non-technical reasons. As with other ASD forms, early diagnosis is important, and differential diagnosis must consider several other conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autism spectrum</span> Medical condition

The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or sometimes autism spectrum condition (ASC), identifies a loosely defined cluster of neurodevelopmental issues characterized by challenges in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and often repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Other common features include unusual responses to sensory stimuli and a preference for sameness or unusual adherence to routines.

The opioid excess theory is a theory which postulates that autism is the result of a metabolic disorder in which opioid peptides produced through metabolism of gluten and casein pass through an abnormally permeable intestinal membrane and then proceed to exert an effect on neurotransmission through binding with opioid receptors. It is believed by advocates of this hypothesis that autistic children are unusually sensitive to gluten, which results in small bowel inflammation in these children, which in turn allows these opioid peptides to enter the brain.

Richard Eugene Frye is an American autism researcher and associate professor at Arizona Children's Hospital in Phoenix, and formerly of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences's department of pediatrics, as well as the Director of the Autism Multispecialty Clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Frye was formerly a faculty member at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston's division of child and adolescent neurology.

The development of an animal model of autism is one approach researchers use to study potential causes of autism. Given the complexity of autism and its etiology, researchers often focus only on single features of autism when using animal models.

Men and boys are more frequently diagnosed with autism than women and girls. It is debated whether this is due to a sex difference in rates of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or whether females are underdiagnosed. The prevalence ratio is often cited as about 4 males for every 1 female diagnosed. Other research indicates that it closer to 3:1 or 2:1. One in every 42 males and one in 189 females in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. There is some evidence that females may also receive diagnoses somewhat later than males; however, thus far results have been contradictory.

Low-functioning autism (LFA) is a degree of autism marked by difficulties with social communication and interaction, challenging behavior, and differences in social or emotional reciprocity. Sleep problems, aggression, stereotypical, and self-injurious behavior are also common symptoms. LFA is not a recognized diagnosis in the DSM-5 or ICD-10, as neither subdivides autism based on intellectual capabilities.

References

  1. ↑ "CMA Staff List". Center for Morphometric Analysis. Harvard University. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  2. ↑ "TRANSCEND Research Laboratory". Massachusetts General Hospital, Research Centers. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "Biography". Marthaherbert.org. 2011-04-16. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  4. ↑ Tommey, Polly. "The Autism Revolution: An Interview with Dr. Martha Herbert". Autismfile.com. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  5. ↑ Macneil, Robert (20 April 2011). "Autism Now: Dr. Martha Herbert Extended Interview". PBS . Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  6. ↑ Szatmari, Peter; Szatmari, Andrew D; Paterson, Lonnie; Zwaigenbaum, Wendy; Roberts, Jessica; Brian, Xiao-Qing; Liu, John B; Vincent, Jennifer L; Skaug, Ann P; Thompson, Lili; Senman, Lars; Feuk, Cheng; Qian, Susan E; Bryson, Marshall B; Jones, Christian R; Marshall, Stephen W; Scherer, Veronica J; Vieland, Christopher; Bartlett, La Vonne; Mangin, Rhinda; Goedken, Alberto; Segre, Margaret A; Pericak-Vance, Michael L; Cuccaro, John R; Gilbert, Harry H; Wright, Ruth K; Abramson, Catalina; Betancur, Thomas; Bourgeron, Christopher; et al. (2007). "Mapping autism risk loci using genetic linkage and chromosomal rearrangements". Nature Genetics. 39 (3): 319–28. doi:10.1038/ng1985. PMC   4867008 . PMID   17322880.
  7. ↑ Herbert, Martha R.; Ziegler, David A.; Makris, Nikos; Filipek, Pauline A.; Kemper, Thomas L.; Normandin, Joseph J.; Sanders, Heather A.; Kennedy, David N.; Caviness Jr, Verne S. (2004). "Localization of white matter volume increase in autism and developmental language disorder". Annals of Neurology. 55 (4): 530–40. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.456.8337 . doi:10.1002/ana.20032. PMID   15048892. S2CID   11115089.
  8. ↑ Herbert, M. R.; Ziegler, D. A.; Deutsch, C. K.; O'Brien, L. M.; Kennedy, D. N.; Filipek, P. A.; Bakardjiev, A. I.; Hodgson, J.; Takeoka, M.; Makris, N.; Caviness Jr, V. S. (2004). "Brain asymmetries in autism and developmental language disorder: A nested whole-brain analysis". Brain. 128 (Pt 1): 213–226. doi: 10.1093/brain/awh330 . PMID   15563515.
  9. ↑ "2004 Grants Funded (CAN)". Autism Speaks. 2004. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  10. ↑ Blakeslee, Sandra (8 February 2005). "Focus Narrows in Search for Autism's Cause". New York Times. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  11. ↑ Herbert, MR (2010). "Contributions of the environment and environmentally vulnerable physiology to autism spectrum disorders". Current Opinion in Neurology. 23 (2): 103–10. doi:10.1097/WCO.0b013e328336a01f. PMID   20087183. S2CID   17280526.
  12. ↑ Herbert, M. R.; Buckley, J. A. (2013). "Autism and Dietary Therapy: Case Report and Review of the Literature". Journal of Child Neurology. 28 (8): 975–82. doi:10.1177/0883073813488668. PMID   23666039. S2CID   6592497.
  13. ↑ "Researcher who "does not meet the standard of reliability required by case law" good enough for PBS's Newshour « Seth Mnookin". Seth Mnookin. 2011-04-20. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  14. ↑ "Researcher who "does not meet the standard of reliability required by case law" good enough for PBS's Newshour « Seth Mnookin". Seth Mnookin. 2011-04-20. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  15. ↑ "Researcher who "does not meet the standard of reliability required by case law" good enough for PBS's Newshour « Seth Mnookin". Seth Mnookin. 2011-04-20. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  16. 1 2 Fard, Maggie Fazeli (8 April 2013). "Autism book by Harvard researcher offers holistic strategies but no guarantees". Washington Post . Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  17. ↑ Michiya, Kelly (April 2013). "The Autism Revolution by Martha Herbert". Journal of Hospital Librarianship. 13 (2): 184–186. doi:10.1080/15323269.2013.772440. S2CID   73827069.
  18. ↑ "The Autism Revolution". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.