Martha Herbert

Last updated
Martha Reed Herbert
Alma mater University of California, Santa Cruz, PhD Columbia University, MD
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]

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. [13] It was reviewed in the Washington Post, [13] the Journal of Hospital Librarianship, [14] and Kirkus Reviews. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asperger syndrome</span> Formerly recognized subtype of autism

Asperger syndrome (AS), also known as Asperger's syndrome or Asperger's, is a diagnostic label that has been used to describe a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. Asperger syndrome has been merged with other conditions into autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is no longer a diagnosis in the WHO's ICD-11 or the APA's DSM-5-TR. It was considered milder than other diagnoses which were merged into ASD due to relatively unimpaired spoken language and intelligence.

Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), also known as Heller 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 similarities 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.

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">Conditions comorbid to autism</span> Medical conditions more common in autistic people

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or simply autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in early childhood, persists throughout adulthood, and is characterized by difficulties in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. There are many conditions comorbid to autism, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders, and epilepsy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Baron-Cohen</span> British psychologist and author (born 1958)

Sir Simon Philip Baron-Cohen is a British clinical psychologist and professor of developmental psychopathology at the University of Cambridge. He is the director of the university's Autism Research Centre and a Fellow of Trinity College.

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

The neurodiversity paradigm is a framework for understanding human brain function that considers the diversity within sensory processing, motor abilities, social comfort, cognition, and focus as neurobiological differences. This diversity falls on a spectrum of neurocognitive differences. The neurodiversity paradigm argues that diversity in neurocognition is part of humanity and that some neurodivergences generally classified as disorders, such as autism, are differences with strengths and weaknesses as well as disabilities that are not necessarily pathological. Neurotypical individuals are those who fall within the average range of functioning and thinking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heritability of autism</span> The rate at which autism is inherited

Autism has multiple causes. This article focuses on heritable causes. 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, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is explained more by multigene effects than by rare mutations with large effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autism therapies</span> Therapy aimed at autistic people

Autism therapies include a wide variety of therapies that help people with autism, or their families. Such methods of therapy seek to aid autistic people in dealing with difficulties and increase their functional independence.

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-11, patients formerly diagnosable with Asperger syndrome are diagnosable with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The term is considered offensive by some 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classic autism</span> Former neurodevelopmental disorder now classified under autism spectrum disorder

Classic autism, also known as childhood autism, autistic disorder, or Kanner's syndrome, is a formerly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder first described by Leo Kanner in 1943. It is characterized by atypical and impaired development in social interaction and communication as well as restricted, repetitive behaviors, activities, and interests. These symptoms first appear in early childhood and persist throughout life.

Asociality refers to the lack of motivation to engage in social interaction, or a preference for solitary activities. Asociality may be associated with avolition, but it can, moreover, be a manifestation of limited opportunities for social relationships. Developmental psychologists use the synonyms nonsocial, unsocial, and social uninterest. Asociality is distinct from, but not mutually exclusive to, anti-social behavior. A degree of asociality is routinely observed in introverts, while extreme asociality is observed in people with a variety of clinical conditions.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or simply autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder "characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts" and "restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities". Sensory abnormalities are also included in the diagnostic manuals. Common associated traits such as motor coordination impairment are typical of the condition but not required for diagnosis. A formal diagnosis requires that symptoms cause significant impairment in multiple functional domains; in addition, the symptoms must be atypical or excessive for the person's age and sociocultural context.

Michele Zappella is an Italian psychiatrist and scholar of Child Neuropsychiatry. He is a native of Viareggio, Italy.

In psychiatry, stilted speech or pedantic speech is communication characterized by situationally inappropriate formality. This formality can be expressed both through abnormal prosody as well as speech content that is "inappropriately pompous, legalistic, philosophical, or quaint". Often, such speech can act as evidence for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or a thought disorder, a common symptom in schizophrenia or schizoid personality disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a variety of conditions typically identified by challenges with social skills, communication, speech, and repetitive sensory-motor behaviors. The 11th International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), released in January 2021, characterizes ASD by the associated deficits in the ability to initiate and sustain two-way social communication and restricted or repetitive behavior unusual for the individual's age or situation. Although linked with early childhood, the symptoms can appear later as well. Symptoms can be detected before the age of two and experienced practitioners can give a reliable diagnosis by that age. However, official diagnosis may not occur until much older, even well into adulthood. There is a large degree of variation in how much support a person with ASD needs in day-to-day life. This can be classified by a further diagnosis of ASD level 1, level 2, or level 3. Of these, ASD level 3 describes people requiring very substantial support and who experience more severe symptoms. ASD-related deficits in nonverbal and verbal social skills can result in impediments in personal, family, social, educational, and occupational situations. This disorder tends to have a strong correlation with genetics along with other factors. More research is identifying ways in which epigenetics is linked to autism. Epigenetics generally refers to the ways in which chromatin structure is altered to affect gene expression. Mechanisms such as cytosine regulation and post-translational modifications of histones. Of the 215 genes contributing, to some extent in ASD, 42 have been found to be involved in epigenetic modification of gene expression. Some examples of ASD signs are specific or repeated behaviors, enhanced sensitivity to materials, being upset by changes in routine, appearing to show reduced interest in others, avoiding eye contact and limitations in social situations, as well as verbal communication. When social interaction becomes more important, some whose condition might have been overlooked suffer social and other exclusion and are more likely to have coexisting mental and physical conditions. Long-term problems include difficulties in daily living such as managing schedules, hypersensitivities, initiating and sustaining relationships, and maintaining jobs.

The opioid excess theory 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.

Isabelle Juliette Martha Rapin, M.D., was a professor of both Neurology and Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. She was a leading authority on autism for decades, and a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.

Sex and gender differences in autism exist regarding prevalence, presentation, and diagnosis.

References

  1. ↑ "CMA Staff List". Center for Morphometric Analysis. Harvard University. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  2. ↑ "TRANSCEND Research Laboratory". Massachusetts General Hospital, Research Centers. Archived from the original on 2019-08-30. 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. 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.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ "The Autism Revolution". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
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