Neurodevelopment and Intelligence Volume Two is the 2nd of a two volume set that explores neurodevelopmental during fetal and early life, and discusses factors essential for healthy brain development and risk factors that can hinder healthy brain development, leading to a loss of intellectual abilities or causing disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder. The book should be of interest to health professionals in preventive medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and public health policy.
In this volume Dr. Lewis presents evidence on:
- Prenatal nutritional deficits increasing the risk of autism
- ADHD is largely a lifestyle disease
- Pregnancy risks and their mitigation; how pregnancy can be made safer for the fetal brain
- Maternal lifestyle factors that affect the child’s IQ
- The eight pillars of health and their effects on the brain
- The role of paternal health on offspring brain development
- The role of gut bacteria on brain health
- The disruptive effects of sleep deprivation and sleep disordered breathing on brain development, and sleep hygiene for children
- The harmful effects of stress and poverty on the brain and its functioning
- The impact of noise and noise pollution on intellectual development
- Nutrition that supports emotional and intellectual function
- Evidence that genius is developed through specialization and enrichment
- The effects of exercise and environmental enrichment on intelligence
- The common environmental exposure that not only lowers a child’s IQ but also depresses their curiosity, diminishes their laughter, and makes them less affectionate
- Maternal factors that increase or decrease children’s telomere length, and thus their health, resilience, and longevity
- How well designed public policy can give us a brighter future
This 2nd volume contains sections 5 to 9, and concludes with a summation of the challenges ahead, highlighting the most accessible interventions for promoting neurodevelopmental health and societal benefits.
Section 5 discusses the role of toxic metals, dietary factors, and the role of the intestinal microbiome on the causation and exacerbation of autism symptoms. Evidence on the effects of special diets for ASD is reviewed. The timing of the development of ASD is discussed; as it is essential to understanding which exposures are relevant and amenable to treatment.
Section 6 discusses the generation of air pollution from combustion of fuels and the adverse impacts of it on brain health. Effects of Particulate matter (PM) on health, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are reviewed, along with its effects on the premature birth of infants, neurodevelopment, IQ, and ASD. Risk mitigation is discussed.
Section 7 outlines maternal factors that impact neurodevelopment and intelligence. The causes and effects of preterm birth and small for gestational age are explored, with a particular focus on environmental influences. The detrimental impact of marijuana use is discussed.
Section 8 covers the impact of diet, the intestinal microbiome, exercise, sleep deprivation, sleep-disordered breathing and neurodevelopment, and explains the role of lifestyle on ADHD.
Section 9 discusses the effects of psychosocial stress on intellectual performance, the epigenetic effects of stress on brain development and behavior, and the impacts of having a supportive social environment, a stimulating environment, and engaging education on the brain. The effects of prenatal stress on the brain are reviewed. Other topics include the effect of stress on telomere length, the effects of poverty and domestic violence on IQ scores, and the effects of stress on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The effects of noise on hearing, academic performance, and sleep are reviewed. The need to confront endemic stress as a society is discussed.
