Brain Blast

 Every spring, the Vanderbilt Brain Institute puts on Brain Blast event at Nashville Public Library for high schoolers and younger children, with various booths educating children on the wonders of the brain in fun and creative ways. Oh and the screen in the background was showing various images, including some things about autism and neurodiversity. 

CRH-PVN Neuron and Stress Controllability Presentation

I survived it. 

OMG. lot of work went into this intense presentation the last couple of weeks with my classmate James. 

And right after our 50 min presentation, we were given feedback from the 3 TAs (Patrick, Matt & Elena) and by the Prof Teru Nakagawa and Prof Christine Konradi. Other students are literally sent out of the room, so that we could be given individual feedback from the grading team. I got to go first then James. 

Presenting with passion, nerves not intact,
Paper on CRH-PVN neurons stacked.
The audience watched, with eyes on me,
My words and slides, a neuroscience spree

Hyperpolarized Neurons on Strike

Working on my friday neuroscience presentation which is draining all my learning neurons. 

My neurons in a state of overloaded hyperpolarization.
Off on unplanned mental vacation.

Won't depolarize, they're stuck in their ways.
Action potential needed anon.

Neurons need to call off strike. 

CRH who?

Neuroscience humor. Studying CRH-PVN neurons and stress this week. 

Knock knock.

Who's there? 

CRH. 

CRH who? 

CRH releasing PVN, causing stress to you!

Stress v Anxiety in Autism - what's the difference.

First a lighthearted take

Stress is when you're stuck in traffic and late for an important meeting, while anxiety is when you're stuck in traffic and your brain starts to imagine all the worst-case scenarios that could happen at the meeting. They both make you feel like you're about to lose your mind, but with anxiety, you have to deal with the added bonus of your own overactive imagination!

Testing Neural Knowledge

Sharpen your mind, it's time for a quiz

Neuroscience is the topic, don't you miss 

Clear those distractions, focus your wit 

Perk up and prepare, let's get on with it

Getting mentally ready for the tough Neuroscience quiz on Fridays.

The Three T's

My classmate James and I met with Prof Christine Konradi to discuss our presentation strategy for the paper on the CRH-PVN neuron for our neuroscience class next friday.

"You start out by you telling them what you're going to tell them, then tell them, and then you tell them what you told them," was her starting advice.

She was referring to the Three T's approach - Tell Them, Tell Them, Tell Them -  a strategy for organizing a speech or presentation into three parts:

• introduction where you preview what you will discuss
• the body of content /message
• Conclusion where you summarize what you covered.

The idea is to make your message clear and memorable by emphasizing the key points multiple times.

Next week we'll be learning about mood disorders, the HPA axis, which the CRH neurons are part of. 

Each week, we have a different professor teaching the class in an area that's their specialty. Next week its with Professor Konradi who also picks the paper that we present. 

 I asked what had motivated her to pick this paper. She said, we were learning about mood disorders this week and the HPA axis  which the CRH neurons were part of. So not only is this topic related to what we have been learning for the week but also it is relevant for us in neuroscience because the kind of tools and methods used are very state of the art.  

So fingers crossed we do a good job. It's a lot of work putting a presentation together. and i've noticed my other classmates looking absolutely worn out during their presentation week. 

The politics of studying the brain

I learned a little bit about the politics of research during a conversation with a professor, for instance researching the dopaminergic system belongs to people studying strictly study movement disorders. 

Which is a real pity really. I have wondered why that is not looked at in the context of autism. Its like the two are never considered together for autism. But disabilities like autism have so many areas involved. Like challenges in movement, is such a critical piece for autistics like me, and worth investigating. How else will we get to solutions.  

Autistic Cre v Autism Mouse Models

Autistic Cre mice and autism mouse models are both animal models used to study autism. Both  have their own strengths and limitations and can complement each other in understanding the complex etiology of autism. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Autistic Cre mice are genetically modified mice that express mutations or deletions of specific genes that have been associated with human autism. These mice are created by introducing a Cre recombinase gene under the control of a promoter specific to the gene of interest. The Cre recombinase then catalyzes the recombination of loxP sites, leading to the deletion or mutation of the targeted gene.

On the other hand, autism mouse models are created through a variety of methods, including genetic manipulation, exposure to environmental toxins, or maternal infection during pregnancy. These models aim to replicate some of the behavioral and neurobiological features of autism in humans, such as impaired social interaction and communication, repetitive behaviors, and altered brain development and function.

One of the main differences between the two is the level of specificity in targeting autism-related genes. Autistic Cre mice allow researchers to study the effects of specific gene mutations or deletions on behavior and brain function, whereas autism mouse models often involve a broader range of genetic or environmental factors that may contribute to the development of autism.

Additionally, autistic Cre mice are often used to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying autism, such as changes in synaptic function or neurotransmitter signaling, whereas autism mouse models may focus more on behavioral and phenotypic characteristics of the disorder.

Autistic Cre

 (Understanding Cre rats for my upcoming presentation, and why not learn which ones are used in autism space while I am at it)

First, what is a Cre-rat?

Fruit Fly Connectome

Lay Summary: Scientists have now mapped all the neural connections/pathways of a fruit fly (connectome). Why is this important? Fruit fly model is used in autism research, so this advance potentially helps autism research. 

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add9330

Principles of Neural Science

This time last year, I had met with Prof Carissa Cascio during my Vanderbilt campus visit, and she had shown her copy of the Kendal textbook that awaited me in the program. Well certainly got to experience this textbook first hand this semester. 

Bayes Squad

 The Bayes Squad

A Probability Party with Formula Fellows

Bayes Theorem BT: Alright folks, let's get this Bayesian statistics party started! I'm Bayes Theorem, and I'm the king of the castle around here.

Prior Probability PA(A): Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down there, Bayes. You may be the main formula, but I'm the one who sets the foundation. I'm Prior Probability, and I establish the probability of events before any data is collected.

Likelihood P(A): And I'm Likelihood, the star of the show. I calculate the probability of evidence given the hypothesis.

Neurotransmitters go Knock Knock

Knock knock. Who's there? 

Glutamate. Glutamate who? Glutamate to meet you!

GABA. GABA who? GABA nice day today, isn't it?

Dopamine. Dopamine who? Do-pa-mine if I tell you a joke?

Serotonin. Serotonin who? Serotoninly you didn't forget about me!

When Axons Meet GPS Robot Cops

When Axons Meet GPS Robot Cops

Robo: Alright team, let's get these axons where they need to go. Slit, you're up first.

Slit: Alright, alright, don't rush me. Let me just activate my molecular mechanisms real quick.

Comm: Oh here we go, Slit and his molecular mechanisms. Always showing off.

Axon: Hey, can someone explain to me what's going on?”

Robo: Don't worry little guy, we're here to guide you. Slit is going to help you navigate to your destination.

Slit: That's right. I'm Slit, named after the slit-like spaces that I bind to. Not the most glamorous name, but hey, it's better than being called "sticky" like some other proteins. 

Comm: Hey, don't be dissing my molecular mechanisms. They may not be as flashy as yours, but they get the job done.”

Axon: I don't mean to interrupt, but what do you do, Comm?

Comm: Oh, me? I'm the commissure, here to make sure you cross the midline properly. But my full name is commissural neuron guidance molecule, which makes me sound like some sort of cop.

Robo: And I'm Robo, short for Roundabout. I know, I know, I sound like a robot. But hey, I'm the protein that helps guide you around obstacles and keep you on the right path.

Slit:  And together, we make a great team. The protein trio of axon guidance GPS. 

Axon: so I’m gonna interrupt again. But why do I need to cross the midline at all? Why do you need to guide me. What’s going on here and where am I going?”

Robo: Well Axon, to answer your earlier question about the big picture, it's all about forming the correct connections in the nervous system. The brain is made up of billions of neurons, and each neuron needs to make connections with other neurons to form a functional network. These connections allow us to do everything from sensing our environment to controlling our movements and thoughts.

Comm: And that's where we come in. We help guide axons to their appropriate targets, ensuring that the connections are made correctly. Without us, the nervous system would be a chaotic mess.

Slit: Exactly. And that's why it's so important for us to do our job correctly. Even a small mistake can lead to a misconnection that could have serious consequences for the individual.

Axon: Wow, I had no idea that I was part of such a complex process. It's kind of overwhelming.

Robo: Don't worry, little guy. We've got your back. Just trust us, and we'll guide you to where you need to go.

Slit: And who knows? Maybe someday you'll become a fully-formed neuron, making connections with other neurons and contributing to the functioning of the nervous system.

Comm: Yeah, and maybe you'll even be guiding another axon someday.

Axon: That sounds amazing. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me.

Robo: Alright team, let's get back to work. We have some important connections to make.

Axon: Wait, I have one more question. How did you all become proteins that guide axons?

Slit: Oh, it's a long story. It all started when we were just humble genes, waiting to be transcribed and translated.

Comm: And then one day, we were lucky enough to be selected to play a crucial role in axon guidance.

Robo: It's not the most glamorous job, but hey, someone's got to do it.

Axon: Well, I'm grateful for you guys. Thanks for guiding me through this crazy nervous system.

Slit: Anytime, dude. That's what we're here for.

Axon: Hey Robo, have you ever thought about what life would be like if you weren't proteins?

Robo: I can't say I have, Hey Slit and Comm. Do you want to be something else?

Slit: I don't know, maybe a neurotransmitter or something. Imagine how cool it would be to transmit information between neurons.

Comm: And I could be a transcription factor in a different system altogether. I could be regulating gene expression in a plant or something.

Robo: Oh come on, you guys. We're perfectly happy being proteins that guide axons. Let's not get too carried away with these fantasies.

Slit: Fine, fine. But you have to admit, it would be pretty cool.

Comm: Now let's get back shaping the intricate architecture of the nervous system. Lots of traffic to manage. 

Delta Notch Numb: Neurogenesis Society

A humorous science skit. 

Delta Notch Numb: Neurogenesis Society

Delta: Hey guys, have you ever wondered why we have such unusual names? I mean, put together, we sound like a Notched-up college Greek Society; a bunch of undergrads that go totally Numb after an exhausting Rush.

Constant Overload

Being bombarded by the sensory system

A constant overload, it never ends
Sensory overwhelmed, a feeling of prison
Trapped in my own mind, with no friends.

Poor somatosensory body mapping
A constant confusion, a foggy haze
I struggle to understand my own body
A feeling of being lost, in a daze

Words get stuck, inside my head
Apraxic, struggles to speak
A feeling of frustration, so very unique
As talking eludes me, instead

It can be a struggle, to navigate
This world that's full of sensation

I need to find a way
… with determination

The brain is a Giant Prediction Machine

Poem follows Prof Mark Wallace's comment in class "The Brain is a giant prediction machine" after a discussion on the growing popularity of Bayesian Statistical Models in research. 

The brain is a giant prediction machine

Bayesian model-like, it constantly schemes

Past experiences and memories in its grasp

Current sensory input, processed in a flash.

 

TBI Regressive Autism

Ameliorating Hemianopia with Multisensory Training (Rowland et al., 2023)

Quick Summary of paper . An  visual-auditory stimulation therapy was used on two older males  who has loss of vision in the left hemifield (hemianopia). The cause was brain trauma (TBI) rather than lesion.  Prior to joining the study both had been referred to PT and OT as rehabilitation measures. 

• 64 year old JM joined the study 14 months after stroke  (2 infracts)
• 74 year old CW joined the study ~18 months after 1 infract (better sighted field compared to JM). 
• Therapy took place over 8 months /10 sessions 

The results were dramatic. Both patients recovered the ability to detect and describe visual stimuli throughout their formerly blind field within a few weeks. They could also localize these stimuli, identify some features, and perceive multiple visuals simultaneously in both fields. (more detail on paper here link)

Relating all this back to Autism

So impressive about being able to restore sight in a matter of 8 months, given therapy was started 14-18 months after infract and not immediately and it was in older adults. 

Why is regressive autism not thought to be TBI at 18 mo, where there is a sudden loss of learned skills. 

• If TBI --> can those lost skills not be regained through targeted therapy. If you can restore skills in 60-70 yr old, should be able to, in a younger more plastic brain. 
• If TBI -->  is this related to CW & JM having practice with vision for 60-70+ years vs toddlers who only have practice with the skills for 18 mo.

Rethink Traditional Therapies

• CW & JM  had PT/OT for 14-18 mo before joining study; implication these therapies not that useful for regaining lost skills. 
• Autistics kids are in insane amounts of therapy (childhood stuffed with ABA/speech/OT every waking hr with little advances to show for it other than the $$$ spent and lots of career advancement for therapists). 
•  Maybe we need rethink early childhood therapy to be more targeted to restore lost skills. Even regaining that level of lost skills improves quality of life, let alone moving beyond.

Cellular neuroscience is tough.

Cellular neuroscience  is tough. 

=====

I'm like a library book, overdue
My brain's so full, it's about to bust in two
I feel like I'm stuck in a never-ending test
Studying so much, I'm starting to feel depressed!
Will it bring success to my quest?



This was the response from my friend in my neuroscience cohort. Thank you for the encouragement and empathy. 

Will it bring success to my quest?
Simply stated, my answer is yes

Battling through the constant stress, through days, months, years of duress
Though now life may seem like a mess, the quest is not to be the best,
Prioritize self-care, remember to rest

Is it worth it, when all I see, are cloudy skies up over me?
Yes I say, the world will see, what's possible with a degree,
The journey to a PhD is sprinkled serendipity,
But even more importantly, be free to show YOU empathy!

Hari,
Above all you are my friend, one that will be there 'til the end,
Remember I am here for you, day in, day out, through and through.