Contemplation, one line a day
The Decerebrate Cat Walking Experiment
In the realm of scientific exploration, certain experiments push boundariesin ways not acceptable by modern ethical standards. One such experiment involves decerebrate cats (popular in the 1940-50s and not done anymore), but which shed light on locomotion,
The Decerebrate Cat Walking Experiment: The video showcases a decerebrate cat walking on a treadmill at varying speeds, revealing three distinct gait patterns. Decerebrate cats have had their cerebral cortex removed, leaving the brainstem intact. Essentially the cat was paralyzed as its spinal cord didn't talk to its brain anymore which means there was not enough muscle tone to keep the body upright; so researched used a harness to hold the weight of the body.
Locomotion was initiated by sensory input of the limbs on the moving thredmill.
The primary goal of these experiments was to explore the extent of the brain's involvement in controlling movement. At what level in the brain is behavior (locomotion) controlled. Researchers aimed to test the idea that much of locomotion control might be inherent to an animal's biomechanics, rather than relying heavily on conscious brain commands.
Findings:
- Minimal Brain Control: during locomotion, especially in activities like walking, trotting, or running, minimal control comes from the brain itself. Instead, the experiments suggest that a significant portion of locomotion control is achieved through biomechanical and morphological features of the animal's body.
- Biomechanical Design: The experiments support the concept of passive dynamic locomotion, which proposes that animals are capable of controlling their movements efficiently by taking advantage of their natural biomechanical structure.
Diagnostic Overshadowing Issue in Autism
To drive true progress and improve the quality of life of all autistics we need BOTH Strengths_based_Opportunities AND Challenges_based_Solutions.
It is not Either-Or.
-Hari Srinivasan, Newsweek
Read full article at: https://www.newsweek.com/dual-approach-autism-opinion-1818062
#Autism #Research #Strengths_based_opportunities #Challenges_based_solutions.
Contemplation, one insight a day
Optimism is the lens that allows us to see the world through the eyes of possibility.
Contemplation, one daily reflection
Hope is the beacon that guides us towards a better tomorrow.
#MentalHealth
Contemplation, one moment a day
Serenity is the harmony that comes with being in balance.
#MentalHealth
Phrenology according to Gall. A Historical Curiosity
The 18th century consensus on the brain was steeped in ancient beliefs that depicted it as an formless mass governing bodily functions. Franz Josef Gall, challenged this orthodoxy: the brain wasn't a mere lump of flesh but the very seat of our mental faculties, with distinct regions governing specific functions. This revolutionary idea laid the foundation for what we now recognize as "phrenology." While Gall's phrenological theories have been largely discredited in modern neuroscience, his work marked a significant shift in the study of the brain. Gall's work also contributed to the development of techniques for brain mapping and the understanding of cognitive processes.
Landing himself in plenty of hot water.
The prevailing view of the era was dominated by religious or philosophical beliefs rather than empirical research. Gall's ideas challenged long-held beliefs about the nature of the mind and the brain and landed in a lot of hot water.
The prevailing view of the era was dominated by religious or philosophical beliefs rather than empirical research. Gall's ideas challenged long-held beliefs about the nature of the mind and the brain and landed in a lot of hot water.
And the hot water was not just religions, but also social. Phrenology also had practical implications, as some individuals and organizations began using it for character assessment in various contexts, such as education and employment. This raised ethical and legal questions about the fairness and validity of making judgments about people based on phrenological assessments.
Gall's garnered both acclaim and criticism from his contemporaries. One notable figure was Johann Spurzheim, Gall's collaborator and rival, who further popularized phrenology and took it to international audiences. Another contemporary of interest is Marie-Jean-Pierre Flourens, a French physiologist who advocated for a more holistic view of brain function, emphasizing the importance of the brain as a whole rather than isolated "organs." Other scientific peers cast doubts upon his theories, criticizing the lack of empirical evidence and the inherently subjective nature of his observations. Phrenology, in their eyes, was more pseudoscience than genuine scientific inquiry.
Gall's Neuroanatomy Diagram: A Window into the Mind
Gall's most notable contribution was his intricate neuroanatomy diagram, which depicted the brain as a series of localized faculties or organs, each responsible for a particular aspect of personality or behavior. The size of these organs corresponded to a person's character traits and abilities. Obviously this is quite incredulous by today's standards - a historical curiousity.
Gall's most notable contribution was his intricate neuroanatomy diagram, which depicted the brain as a series of localized faculties or organs, each responsible for a particular aspect of personality or behavior. The size of these organs corresponded to a person's character traits and abilities. Obviously this is quite incredulous by today's standards - a historical curiousity.
- Firmness (in frontal lobe) Development of this area in the frontal lobe was associated with determination, willpower, and the ability to persevere in the face of challenges.
- Immortality: linked to religious and moral tendencies, as well as a sense of spirituality.
- Veneration (Parietal Love): related to feelings of respect, admiration, and reverence for authority figures or ideals
- Destructiveness (in lower back of brain): aggressive and combative behaviors, as well as a propensity for violence.
- Benevolence (frontal love): linked to kindness, empathy, and a compassionate nature.
- Acquisitiveness (forehead): desire for material wealth and possessions.
- Wit (Frontal Lobe): responsible for humor, quick thinking, and cleverness.
- Love of Offspring (back of brain):linked to parental instincts and the love and care of one's children.
- Secretiveness (Upper back of brain): associated with the tendency to keep secrets and be discreet.
- Self-Esteem (upper back of head): related to self-confidence, pride, and a sense of self-worth.
Autism Cares Act
The Autism Cares Act is in the process of re-authorization in the halls of congress for a while now. Happy to report that my Time Magazine article "Who Autism Research Leaves Out" has been used in its the re-negotiations discussion
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Understanding the Autism CARES Act
The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act is a significant piece of legislation aimed at addressing the needs of Autistics & their families.
The Autism CARES Act was first enacted as the Combating Autism Act in 2006, and it has been reauthorized and expanded in subsequent years. The original Combating Autism Act focused on increasing research, awareness, and early detection of autism. It was reauthorized as the Autism CARES Act in 2014, and then again in 2019, to ensure continued support and enhancements in these areas.
Key Provisions of the Autism CARES Act
The Autism CARES Act is designed to improve the quality of life for autistics through a comprehensive approach that includes research, services, and support. The main provisions of the Act include:
Research: The Act provides funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct and support research on autism. This includes studies on the causes, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, and treatment of autism.
Awareness and Education: The Act supports initiatives to increase public awareness about autism, including early signs and intervention strategies. It also funds education and training programs for healthcare professionals.
Services and Support: The Act provides grants to states and organizations to improve services for individuals with autism and their families. This includes support for early intervention, healthcare, and social services.
Federal Coordination: The Act mandates the continuation of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), which is responsible for coordinating all federal efforts related to autism research and services.
Lifespan Perspective: The reauthorization of the Act in 2019 placed a greater emphasis on the needs of individuals with autism across their lifespan, including transitions from school to employment and independent living.
Interesting Historical Context
The Autism CARES Act builds on the foundation laid by the Combating Autism Act of 2006. The original Act was a response to the growing prevalence of autism diagnoses and the need for coordinated federal action. The reauthorizations in 2014 and 2019 reflect a continued commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the autism community, with a focus on research, early intervention, and support across the lifespan.
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Code Orange for Ground Level Ozone
Received this email alert today on Air Quality. Thought I had left behind all the Air Quality Alerts in CA from the yearly wildfire smoke.
"Air Quality Alert.... Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a Code Orange Health Advisory for the Nashville Area... Ground Level Ozone concentrations may approach unhealthy levels... active children and adults and people with respiratory issues ... should limit prolonged outdoor exertion."
So what exactly is Ground Level Ozone (also often referred to as "bad" ozone).
This is ozone that is not emitted directly into the air like some other pollutants. Instead, it forms in the atmosphere through a chemical reaction involving precursor pollutants in the presence of sunlight. Here is how it happens:
1. Emission of Precursor Pollutants: The primary precursor pollutants for ground-level ozone are nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants are released into the air from various sources, including vehicles (especially those with internal combustion engines), industrial processes, and natural sources like vegetation
2. Chemical Reactions: Once in the atmosphere, NOx and VOCs undergo a series of complex chemical reactions in the presence of sunlight. This process is known as photochemical smog formation. Sunlight provides the energy needed to break down these precursor pollutants and form ground-level ozone
3. Ozone Formation: The chemical reactions between NOx and VOCs produce ground-level ozone (O3) and other secondary pollutants. Ground-level ozone is a key component of smog and is harmful to human health when present in high concentrations near the Earth's surface.
And what is Code Orange
Code Orange: This level signifies that air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups which include active children and adults, as well as individuals with respiratory diseases such as asthma.
Contemplation, one line a day
Contentment is the gratitude that comes with acknowledging what we have.
-Hari Srinivasan
Contemplation
Optimism is the force that keeps us moving forward, even when the path is unclear
- Hari Srinivasan
Contemplation
Optimism is the fuel that propels us towards the horizon of possibilities.
- Hari Srinivasan
Dual Approach for Autism
My article in Newsweek
https://www.newsweek.com/dual-approach-autism-opinion-1818062
To drive true progress and improve the quality of life of all autistics we need BOTH Strengths_based_Opportunities AND Challenges_based_Solutions.
It is not Either-Or.
#Autism #Research #Strengths_based_opportunities #Challenges_based_solutions.
The nuances of research bias
Research is exclusionary in many ways, limited by bias and so many boundaries in the name of being able to clearly see particular results. So, in reality who does it actually serve?Loving Hari Srinivasan's article, and the nuanced things made clear when you read about his few experiences and insights caught in this one page.
Contemplation, one line a day
Contentment is the kindness that comes with accepting others as they are. - Hari Srinivasan
DSM v ADOS
Lexicon [Measures] DSM, ADOS
DSM-5-TR (latest version of DSM) and ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition) are two distinct tools used in assessment and dx of autism.
DSM-5-TR
- Diagnostic manual that outlines the criteria for diagnosing ASD, including the presence of social communication deficits and RRB.
- Serves as a reference for clinicians and researchers in making diagnostic decisions and ensures consistency in the diagnosis of ASD.
- Standardized observational assessment tool designed to aid in the diagnosis of ASD.
- Administered by a trained professional and involves direct interaction with the individual
- consists of a series of activities and social scenarios that allow the examiner to observe and evaluate the individual's communication skills, social interaction, play, and RRB.
- It helps in determining whether an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for ASD and provides information to inform intervention and treatment planning.
ADOS-2 can be utilized as part of the diagnostic process, providing information to support the dx under DSM-5. Both tools are commonly used together to aid in the assessment and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Time Article Comments
Umm, this is so well written and an incredibly important article!
BAM! Hari Srinivasan you are a gentleman, a scholar and an overall phenomenal advocate!!! Thank you for blazing the way for so many nonspeaking, minimally speaking and unreliably speaking people!
This is a MUST READ, featured in TIME MAGAZINE!
This is awesome Hari and so needed. Congrats on this!
Wow, so incredible. I am a clinician in the greater LA area and provide psychological assessments, including ASD. Such a great read.
You raise several issues about the limitations of research and the “hot mess” you describe, and also point to some solutions. I appreciate many of the ideas, especially the mobile labs and the joystick for binary decisions.
Congrats! This is great!
Very well done. :-)
Fantastic
Congrats! That is super neat :) And kudos to you for being so open about your diagnosis and support needs.
Congrats on the insightful op-ed! I loved the point, " If we are left out of research, we are left out of the solutions as well." I wasn't aware of the bias in autism research.
What an outstanding article. Bravo!
Stimming is not soothing
I wish folks stop saying stimming is soothing.
Stimming is soothing only upto a point. It quickly crosses over into OCD and is exhausting, mentally and physically draining, caught in this behavioral loop you cannot get out of.
Joy is the feeling of love and connection to all things
Contemplation, one line a day. #MentalHealth
Time Magazine Article
https://time.com/6299599/
My article in Time Magazine
" autism research has ... essentially oversampled the same, narrow band of what are considered the easily “researchable autistics,” and expected those findings (as well as the applications and interventions that resulted from them) to apply to everyone."
" If we are left out of research, we are left out of the solutions as well. "
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