There have been many attempts to document autism by examining genetic, inoculations or behavioral etiologies. (However, we know the existence of autism without a genetic history, inoculations or behavioral etiologies. Perhaps we reed to focus on the brain and its neurophysiology. In the literature, Hauser, et al, 1975, found that ventricular enlargement of the left temporal horn is present in autistic individuals using the pneumoencephalogram, Autopsies indicate bilateral abnormalities, mostly in the hippocampus, according to Bauman and Kemper, 1985. Except for abnormalities in the limbic system, the only other abnormalities are in the cerebellum. The limbic system plays a major role in our primitive emotional behavior such as aggression, rage, sex and sleep. 

The first attempt to look at autistic individuals was utilizing the electroencephalogram to see brainwave differences. Minshew in 1991 reported abnormalities of diffuse spikes or slowing with spike and wave activity. Additionally, Ayers, 2000, noted excessive abnormal theta amplitude and activity and some delta activity in severe autism utilizing Neuropathways ail digital real time EEG. Phasic spikes occur in the theta and delta range in autism. Furthermore, Ayers, 2000 has seen asynchrony between sensorimotor cortexes. Generally, the left sensormotor cortex or T3C3 with have higher amplitude in microvolts of both theta and delta than the right sensorimotor cortex or T4C4 in autism. In normal individuals there is synchrony or almost identical microvolts in T4C4 and T3C3 sensorimotor cortex and there are no delta waves and infrequent theta.

Normal EEG, no evidence of injury of illness.

No two real time EEG's are alike, but when there is a problem, the EEG's look alike.  For example, in a closed head injury, Ayers, 1983, noted phasic single spikes that appear in people with head trauma, but not in people without head injury.

Head injury from motorcycle accident Right side.

Remember, in autopsies of autistic individuals there are bilateral abnormalities in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is also the primary generator of theta waves or four to seven hertz activity. It was Eriksson, et al in 1998 who found that the human hippocampus retains its ability to grow new neurons throughout life. Previously, it was believed that the human brain did not grow new neurons. However, as Lowenstein and Parent in 1999 pointed out, we know that neurogenesis persists in adults after stroke, brain injury, or prolonged seizure activity. Perhaps the enlarged hippocampus in autism with excessive phasic spike and theta activity is the result of abnormal excessive neurogenesis of hippocampal neurons

Utilizing Neuropathways all digital real time EEG feedback in 1999, I began thinking that if we could inhibit the excessive abnormal activity on both T4C4 and T3C3, First I would inhibit theta for fifteen minutes on the right sensorimotor cortex, T4C4. Then fifteen minutes on T3C3 until both hemispheres became the same microvoltage. When they reached almost identical voltages, I would go to F4T4 for fifteen minutes, then to F3T3 for fifteen minutes until there were almost identical voltages. Usually you will then start to see less obsessive‑perseveration, some speech, less emotional outbursts, more appropriate behavior. Then I will go to neurobiological specific areas to inhibit excessive theta. For example we go to Wernike‑Broca, F7T5, and inhibit theta to get more speech. If there are balance problems, we can to the cerebellum area at 0102 and inhibit theta to get better coordination

Twelve-year-old child with autism pre treatment F7T5

Twelve-Year-old  child with autism post treatment F7T5

Autistic woman in her 30s Left side T3C3 pre treatment

Autistic woman in her 30s Left side T3C3 post treatment

You have seen EEG's of autistic individuals who are older, have tried many therapeutic interventions and still have improvement after All Digital Real Time EEG Feedback.  There is an increase in vocabulary, less obsessive-compulsive behavior, less emotional outbursts and more appropriate social interaction.  All digital real time EEG feedback appears to be a valuable tool in the treatment of autism.

REFERENCES 

Ayers, M.E. Electroencephalographic feedback and head trauma. Head and Neck Trauma: The Latest Information and Perspectives on Patients with Less-Than-Optimal Recovery.  U.C.L.A. Neuropsychiatric Institute. P9, 1983

Bauman, M.L. and Kemper, T.L. Histoanatomic Observations of the Brain in Early Infantile Autism.  Neurology 35:866-74, 1985

Eriksson, P.D., PerFilieva, E., Bjuork-Eriksson, T., Alborn, A.M., Norbor, C., Person, D., and Gage, F. Neurogenesis in the Adult Human Hippocampus.  Nature Medicine 14(11):1313-1317, Nov. 1998

Hauser, S.L., DeLong, G.R. and Rosman, N.P. Pneumographic Findings in the Infantile Autism Syndrome.  Brain 98:667-88, 1975

Lowenstein, D. and Parent, J. Brain Heal Thyself.  Science 283:1126-1127, Feb 19, 1999

Minshew, H., Indicies of Neural Functioning in Autism: Clinical and Biologic Implications.  Pediatric 87:774-80, 1991