Research

The Relationship between Retained Primitive Reflexes and Hemispheric Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorders

The study assessed ASD children and adults all possessing retained primitive reflexes (RPRs) compared with a control group that did not attempt to reduce or remove those RPRs and then examined the effects on qEEG and brain network connectivity. Methods: Analysis of qEEG spectral and functional connectivity was performed, to identify associations with the presence or absence of retained primitive reflexes (RPRs), before and after an intervention based on TENS unilateral stimulation.

Taking Sides: Asymmetries in the Evolution of Human Brain Development in Better Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

The paper endeavors to better understand the relationship between alterations in typical cortical asymmetries and functional lateralization in ASD in evolutionary terms. We have proposed that both early genetic and/or environmental influences can alter the developmental process of cortical lateralization. There invariably is a “chicken or egg” issue that arises whether atypical cortical anatomy associated with abnormal function, or alternatively whether functional atypicality generates abnormal structure.

Research on the Connection Between Primitive Reflexes and Brain Imbalances by Dr Melillo!

We think a delay in brain maturation in some networks may result in an increase in cortical maturation and development in other networks, leading to a development al asynchrony and an unevenness of functional skills and symptoms. The paper supports the close relationship between retained primitive reflexes and cognitive and motor function in general and in ASD in particular provided to indicate that the inhibition of RPRs can effect positive change in ASD.

Dr. Melillo Research

Download the most updated list from Dr Melillo for research below.

Other Studies & Resources:

Current Writing and Research Projects and Commitments  (Phd Related)

1.     Symmetry – Taking Sides: Asymmetries in the Evolution of Human Development in Better Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

Special Issue: Symmetry and Biology

Gerry Leisman, Robert Melillo, Ty Melillo, Calixto Machado, Yanin Machado Ferrer, Mauricio Chinchilla-Acosta, Eli Carmeli

Deadline 15 November 2022

2.     Clinical Neurophysiology – Functional Connectivities in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Robert Melillo, Gerry Leisman, Calixto Machado, Yanin Machado-Ferrer, Mauricio Chinchilla-Acosta, Ty Melillo, Eli Carmeli

Deadline: 30 December 2022

3.     Developmental Sciences – Relation between Skill and Brain Coherence Networks: Symmetry of RPRs and Long Rage Connectivities in ASD

Robert Melillo, Gerry Leisman, Calixto Machado, Yanin Machado-Ferrer, Mauricio Chinchilla-Acosta, Ty Melillo, Eli Carmeli

Deadline: 30 December 2022

4.     Neuropsychologia – Gross Motor Skill and Hemisphericity

Robert Melillo, Gerry Leisman, Calixto Machado, Yanin Machado-Ferrer, Mauricio Chinchilla-Acosta, Ty Melillo, Eli Carmeli

Deadline 15 January 2023

5.     Physical Therapy – Lateralized Exercises and RPRs in ASD

Robert Melillo, Gerry Leisman, Calixto Machado, Yanin Machado-Ferrer, Mauricio Chinchilla-Acosta, Ty Melillo, Eli Carmeli

Deadline 15 January 2023

6.     Frontiers in Neurology – Retained Primitive Reflexes and Potential for Intervention in Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Robert Melillo, Gerry Leisman, Calixto Machado, Yanin Machado-Ferrer, Mauricio Chinchilla-Acosta, Shanine Kamgang, Ty Melillo, and Eli Carmeli.

Deadline: Submitted, Accepted and Published 2022

7.     Frontiers in Neuroanatomy – Front and center: Maturational dysregulation of frontal lobe functional neuroanatomic connections in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.” Frontiers in Neuroanatomy 16 (2022).

Gerry Leisman and Robert Melillo

Deadline: Submitted, Accepted and Published 2022

8.     Brain Sciences – Cortical Visual Impairment in Childhood:‘Blindsight’and the Sprague Effect Revisited

Gerry Leisman, Calixto Machado, and Robert Melillo..

Deadline: Submitted, Accepted and Published 2021

9.     Frontiers in Public Health – Persistent Childhood Primitive Reflex Reduction Effects on Cognitive, Sensorimotor, and Academic Performance in ADHD

Robert Melillo, Gerry Leisman, Raed Mualem, Alon Ornai, and Eli Carmeli.

Deadline: Submitted, Accepted and Published 2020

Melillo Older Publications in Journals

Leisman, G. and Melillo, R. The Basal Ganglia: Motor and Cognitive Relationships in a Clinical Neurobehavioral Context Reviews in the Neurosciences. 2013;24(1):9-25.

Machado C, Estévez M, Rodríguez R, Pérez-Nellar J, Chinchilla M, Defina P, Leisman G, Carrick FR, Melillo R, Schiavi A, Gutiérrez J, Carballo M, Machado A,Olivares A, Pérez-Cruz N. Zolpidem Arousing Effect in Persistent Vegetative State Patients: Autonomic, EEG and Behavioral Assessment. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2013 Sep 10. [Epub ahead of print] (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24025063).

Machado, C., Estevez, M., Leisman, G., Melillo, R., Rodriguez, R., Hermandez, A. Perez-Nellar, J., Naranjo, R., and Chinchilla, M. EEG Coherence Assessment of Autistic Children in Three Different Experimental Conditions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. DOI 10.1007/s10803-013-1909-5.

Estevez, M., Machado, C., Leisman, G., Melillo, R., Machado, A., Hernandez-Cruz, A., Arias, A., Rodriguez-Rojas, R., Carballo, M. EEGConn: A Software Tool for Offline qEEG Analysis, Including Spectral Univariate and Bivariate Processes and Linear and Non-Linear Indices of Brian Connectivity in Autistic Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development. 2013; 6(4): 427.

Leisman, G., Melillo, R., Machado, C. Rodriguez-Rojas, R., Batista, K., Carballa, M., Mualem, R. Functional Disconnectivities in Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development. 2013, 6(4):486.

Machado, C., Estevez, M., Leisman, G., Melillo, R., Machado, A., Hernanandez-Cruz, A., Arias, A., Rodriguez-Rojas, R., Carballo, M. Exploration of Resting Brain Connectivity Using Linear Coherence Measures in the Autistic Spectrum Disorder.International Journal of Child Health and Human Development. 2013; 6(4):510.

Machado, C. Estevez, M., Melillo, R., Leisman, G., Carrick, R., Machado, A., Hernandez-Cruz, A., Arias, A., Rodriguez-Rojas, R., Carballo, M., Quantitative Resting EEG in the Autistic Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development. 2013; 6(4):511

Rodriguez-Rojas, R., Batista, K., Carballo, M., Iturria, Y., Sanabria, G., Machado, C.,Leisman, G., Estevez, M., Melillo, R. Anatomical and Topological Connectivity Reveal Different Attributes of Disrupted Small-World Networks in Autistic Children. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development. 2013; 6(4):551

Leisman, G., Braun-Benjamin, O., Melillo, R. Cognitive-Motor Interactions of the Basal Ganglia in Development. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience. 2014, 8:16. doi:10.3389/fnsys.2014.00016. [Cross-referenced in Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience.

Machado, C., Pérez-Nellar, J., Rodríguez_Rojas, R., Estévez, M., DeFina, P.A., Schiavi, A., Leisman, G. Carrick, F.R., Melillo, R., and Chinchilla, M., Unusual brainstem twisting revealed by MRI tractography in a patient who survived a severe traumatic upper spinal dislocation. Functional Neurology Rehabilitation, and Ergonomics, 2013 [In Press].

Machado, C., Pérez-Nellar, J., Rodríguez, R., Estevez, M., Leisman, G., Carrick, F. R.,Melillo, R., and Chinchilla, M. Neuroimaging Study of a Patient Who Survived a Traumatic Atlanto-Occipital Dislocation. Neurology 2014 [In Press]

Machado, C. Perez, J., Rodriguez, R., Estevez, M. Leisman, G. Melillo, R. Schiavi, A.

Pastor, I., Carrick, Frederick, Chinchilla, M. “Unusual Brainstem Twisting Revealedby MRI Tractography in a Patient Who Survived a Severe Traumatic Upper Spinal Dislocation. J. Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. [Submitted, 2014

Estévez, M., Machado C., Leisman, G. Melillo, R. Hernández-Cruz, A., Estévez-Hernández, T., Arias-Morales, A. Machado, A., Montes-Brown, J. Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability. Medical, Biological Engineering and Computing [Submitted, 2014]

Leisman, G., Braun-Benjamin, Pivovarch, D., Melillo, R. Thinking, Walking, Talking: The development of Integratory Brain Function. Frontiers of Integratory Neuroscience, 2015 [In press]

Melillo 2013 Books & Book Chapters

Estevez, M., Machado, C., Leisman, G., Melillo, R., Machado, A., Hernandez-Cruz, A., Arias, A., Rodriguez-Rojas, R., Carballo, M. EEGConn: A Software Tool for Offline qEEG Analysis, Including Spectral Univariate and Bivariate Processes and Linear and Non-Linear Indices of Brian Connectivity in Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Chronic Disease and Disability in Childhood. Haupague, NY: Nova Scientific, 2013, p. 65.

Machado, C., Estevez, M., Leisman, G., Melillo, R., Machado, A., Hernanandez-Cruz, A., Arias, A., Rodriguez-Rojas, R., Carballo, M. Exploration of Resting Brain Connectivity Using Linear Coherence Measures in the Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Chronic Disease and Disability in Childhood. Haupague, NY: Nova Scientific, 2013,p. 149.

Machado, C., Estevez., M., Melillo, R., Leisman, G., Carrick, R., Machado, A., Hernandez-Cruz, A., Arias, A., Rodriguez-Rojas, R., Carballo, M., Quantitative Resting EEG in the Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Chronic Disease and Disability in Childhood.Haupague, NY: Nova Scientific, 2013, p. 150.