Case report of prenatal bilateral cerebellar infarction: implications for social-behavioral functioning

Healing autism spectrum disorder with cannabinoids: a neuroinflammatory story

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with a multifactorial etiology. Latest researches are raising the hypothesis of a link between the onset of the main behavioral symptoms of ASD and the chronic neuroinflammatory condition of the autistic brain; increasing evidence of this connection is shedding light on new possible players in the pathogenesis of ASD. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a key role in neurodevelopment as well as in normal inflammatory responses and it is not surprising that many preclinical and clinical studies account for alterations of the endocannabinoid signaling in ASD. These findings lay the foundation for a better understanding of the neurochemical mechanisms underlying ASD and for new therapeutic attempts aimed at exploiting the renowned anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids to treat pathologies encompassed in the autistic spectrum. This review discusses the current preclinical and clinical evidence supporting a key role of the ECS in the neuroinflammatory state that characterizes ASD, providing hints to identify new biomarkers in ASD and promising therapies for the future.

Functional Outcomes of Cerebellar Malformations

The cerebellum is well-established as a primary center for controlling sensorimotor functions. However, recent experiments have demonstrated additional roles for the cerebellum in higher-order cognitive functions such as language, emotion, reward, social behavior, and working memory. Based on the diversity of behaviors that it can influence, it is therefore not surprising that cerebellar dysfunction is linked to motor diseases such as ataxia, dystonia, tremor, and Parkinson's disease as well to non-motor disorders including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. Regardless of the condition, there is a growing consensus that developmental disturbances of the cerebellum may be a central culprit in triggering a number of distinct pathophysiological processes. Here, we consider how cerebellar malformations and neuronal circuit wiring impact brain function and behavior during development. We use the cerebellum as a model to discuss the expanding view that local integrated brain circuits function within the context of distributed global networks to communicate the computations that drive complex behavior. We highlight growing concerns that neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases with severe behavioral outcomes originate from developmental insults to the cerebellum.

Recovery from stroke: factors affecting prognosis

Objective: Stroke is commonly seen in neuropsychological practice. Individual differences, diffuse damage, and the difficulty inherent in researching stroke create challenges for the clinician trying to synthesize the latest information to educate patients and families on prognosis. The objective of this special issue is to provide an overview of the latest clinical research in stroke - the contributors address assessment and treatment issues that are relevant to practice. Method: We solicited papers from established researchers and issued a general call for papers for the special issue on stroke. Results: We received submissions from several authors, eight of which are included in this issue. These submissions cover both assessment and treatment issues and include two review articles, one on language and one on spatial neglect. Two apparent themes are the utility of early assessment/treatment and the importance of executive functioning in predicting later functioning. Conclusions: The issue highlights the need for clinical neuropsychologists to be aware of the latest research on recovery from stroke and the importance of both assessment and management strategies to reduce impact on daily life.