With grad students, easter egg hunt at Sevier Park
April events
My events this April include
- Keynote at Duke's ACE event (Apr 3)
- TedX talk (Apr 20)
- Two Panels Mar 27 (Mary Ann Libert) & Apr 17 (Lancet).
Keynote at Duke ACE Autism Seminar Series
Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow Hari Srinivasan will speak at the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development Autism Seminar Series on April 3rd at 4:00 pm ET, virtually on Zoom. Hari will deliver the Autism Acceptance Month Keynote Entitled "Autism Acceptance Month Keynote: 'Redefine the Table'." Registration is available at the following link: https://ow.ly/frqR50QOpaj
Public Voices Fellowship Year One
Introducing the inaugural collection of op-eds penned by the 2023 cohort of Public Voices Fellows, a partnership between The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans and The OpEd Project. Representing a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and expertise, these twenty Paul & Daisy Soros Fellows were chosen from a competitive pool of over 60 applicants, all alumni of the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships. Throughout the year, these writers received unparalleled support, honed their leadership skills, and deepened their understanding of how to shape public discourse. The op-eds presented here reflect their dedication to influencing not only their respective fields but also the broader conversations shaping our society. Dive into this compilation to explore thought-provoking perspectives from the first year of the Public Voices Fellowship program
Positive Psychology and Autism
I was part of a roundtable discussion on Positive Psychology & Autism, with Dr Dan Tomasulo, Dr Jodie Wilson, Dr Sara Woods and Dr Tayyab Rashid. Hosted by Mary Ann Liebert and Proof Positive. Discussion resulted in an journal article in the peer-reviewed journal, Autism in Adulthood.
Citation:
And here is the final journal article: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
Citation:
APA
Wright, P., Moseley, R., Tomasulo, D., Srinivasan, H., Wilson, J., Woods, S., & Rashid, T. (2024). Integrating Positive Psychology and Autism: A Roundtable. Autism in Adulthood.
Chicago
Wright, Patricia, Rachel Moseley, Dan Tomasulo, Hari Srinivasan, Jodie Wilson, Sara Woods, and Tayyab Rashid. "Integrating Positive Psychology and Autism: A Roundtable." Autism in Adulthood (2024).
Harvard
Wright, P., Moseley, R., Tomasulo, D., Srinivasan, H., Wilson, J., Woods, S. and Rashid, T., 2024. Integrating Positive Psychology and Autism: A Roundtable. Autism in Adulthood.
Vancouver
Wright P, Moseley R, Tomasulo D, Srinivasan H, Wilson J, Woods S, Rashid T. Integrating Positive Psychology and Autism: A Roundtable. Autism in Adulthood. 2024 Aug 14
Cognitive Theories and Sensorimotor Explanations for Autism
While no single theory or idea fully explains all aspects of autism, each attempts to provide insights into different cognitive, sensory or behavioral characteristics associated with autism or the history behind why things could be the way they are. Here are some of the theories, ideas and issues. they can also be found in posts in the following hashtags [#sensorimotor] [#AutismTheories]
- Active Sensing
- Alexithymia
- Apraxia
- Asset Framing
- Attribution Errors
- Autistic Burnout
- Autistic Inertia
- Blindsight
- Body Schema
- Camoflauging
- Catatonia
- Cocktail Party Effect
- Cognitive Dissonance Theory
- Depersonalization
- Double Empathy Problem
- Dyspraxia
- ECCT - Executive and Contextual Control Theory
- E-I Imbalance Theory
- EPF - Enhanced Perceptual Functioning Model
- ES Theory of Autism
- Executive Dysfunction Theory
- Exteroception
- Flat Effect
- Fluid & Crystallized Intelligence
- Hostile Attribution Bias
- Implicit and Explicit Bias
- Intense World Theory
- Interoception
- Linear & Non Linear Thinking
- Local and Distributed Information
- Lucid Dreaming
- Masking
- Mental Age
- Mental Time Travel
- Monotropism
- Multiple Intelligences
- Neuronal Pruning Theory
- Negative Attribution Bias
- Neuroception
- Peripersonal Space (My area of research)
- Predictive Coding Theories
- Predictive Homeostatis Theory
- Propagnosia
- PV Neuron Hypothesis
- Sensory Processing (see #Sensorimotor)
- Social Motivation Theory
- Special Interests (SPIN)
- Spoon Theory
- Stimming
- Synesthesia
- Temporal Binding Window
- Theory of Mind
- Triple Bind and Masking
- Weak Central Coherence Theory
PV hypothesis of autism
Background and Rationale
The Parvalbumin (PV) hypothesis of autism proposes that dysfunction in PV-expressing interneurons (INs) underlies many of the core features of autism. Despite the heterogeneity in genetic and environmental factors contributing to autism, there is a remarkable similarity in the atypical behaviors observed, suggesting a common pathophysiology across brain regions (Contractor et al., 2021).
The Parvalbumin hypothesis of autism underscores the critical role of PV+ interneurons in maintaining neural circuit balance. Their dysfunction leads to various neurological and behavioral abnormalities observed in autism, such as sensory hypersensitivity and seizures.
Evolution of the E/I Imbalance Theory
Initially, the theory of excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalance was proposed, suggesting that reduced GABAergic inhibition leads to an increased E/I ratio, which correlates with delayed cortical maturation in autism (Hussman, 2001; Rubenstein & Merzenich, 2003). This model explains the co-occurrence of seizures in autism but has limitations due to the involvement of various cell types in regulating E/I balance, making it difficult to identify specific therapeutic targets. A more nuanced approach involves examining different IN subtypes under behaviorally relevant brain states.
Evidence for PV+ Cell Hypofunction in Autism
Recent findings highlight several key aspects of PV+ cell hypofunction in autism:
- Reduced density of PV INs: Lower expression of PV protein and decreased density of perineuronal nets (PNNs) around INs.
- Increased power of baseline gamma oscillations: Gamma oscillations, regulated by PV and somatostatin (SST) INs, show increased power in autism.
- Decreased activity of PV INs: Reduced visually-evoked activity in PV INs.
PV INs are the most prevalent IN subtype in the cortex, but this does not exclude the possibility that other IN subtypes are involved.
Hyperexcitability and Hypersynchrony
PV hypofunction leads to hyperexcitability and hypersynchrony, predisposing individuals to seizures and exaggerated sensory-evoked responses in pyramidal (Pyr) neurons of sensory cortices. For instance, whisker-evoked responses are suppressed in Layer 2/3 neurons of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice, a model of autism.
Sensory Hypersensitivity
A failure of neurons to adapt to ongoing stimulation, observed in Fmr1 KO mice and autistic humans, may contribute to sensory hypersensitivity. This lack of neuronal adaptation can prevent individuals from tuning out irrelevant stimuli (Green et al., 2015).
Role of PV+ Neurons in Visual Processing
PV+ neurons are crucial for modulating the tuning of Pyr neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1), thereby improving visual discrimination.
Gamma Oscillations and Other Brain Rhythms
Increased power of resting-state gamma band oscillatory activity (> 30 Hz) is associated with sensory processing and communication deficits in autism and fragile X syndrome (FXS). PV INs are critical in generating gamma rhythms. PV hypofunction, as seen after PV cell-specific deletion of the NR1 subunit of NMDA-type glutamate receptors, results in increased broadband gamma power due to decreased synchronicity (Guyon et al., 2021).
2 Versions of this Post
For the Science/Academic Reader
References
- Contractor, A., Klyachko, V. A., & Portera-Cailliau, C. (2021). Reduced density and activity of parvalbumin interneurons in autism. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 13(1), 1-15.
- Green, S. A., & Gu, Y. (2015). Sensory hypersensitivity in autism spectrum disorders. Current Biology, 25(18), R876-R879.
- Guyon, N., & Nahmani, M. (2021). Role of parvalbumin interneurons in gamma oscillations and sensory processing in autism. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15, 692872.
- Hussman, J. P. (2001). Suppressed GABAergic inhibition as a common factor in suspected etiologies of autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31(2), 247-248.
- Rubenstein, J. L., & Merzenich, M. M. (2003). Model of autism: Increased ratio of excitation/inhibition in key neural systems. Genes, Brain and Behavior, 2(5), 255-267.
Keynote Speaker at Duke
My Keynote for Autism Month at Duke.
Registration at.
https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrdeqorDIpHdRE-CRvLPHkzKdL_ta7eYq-#/registration
Autism Acceptance Month Keynote Presentation: "Redefine the Table"
April 3, 2024 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm ET
Zoom Webinar
Please join us for a special event in our 2023-24 Duke Center for Autism Seminar Series! Our Autism Acceptance Month Keynote presenter will be Hari Srinivasan. A self-advocate, Mr. Srinivasan is a PhD student in neuroscience at Vanderbilt University, an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley, a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow, a NISE fellow at the Frist Center for Autism & Innovation at Vanderbilt University, and a public member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. At UC Berkeley, Mr. Srinivasan majored in psychology with a minor in disability studies and graduated as a University Medal Finalist, along with a Departmental Citation Award, Highest Honors, Phi Beta Kappa, and Psi Chi. He was an undergraduate Haas Scholar and carried out a year-long study on awe and empathy in autism. He was also lead student instructor for a weekly class on autism, creating and teaching content that covered a myriad of issues across the lifespan. As a student journalist at The Daily Californian, he wrote over 50 articles on both disability and non-disability topics. As part of his graduate program, he will research the sensorimotor space, specifically peripersonal space (PPS), which has practical implications on multiple fronts for autism. He has autism and ADHD. His autism includes limited speaking ability, sensorimotor issues, health issues, OCD, mood dysregulation and social anxiety. His non-academic affiliations span law and policy to research arenas such as IACC, DREDF, ASAN, ASA, INSAR, Autism Europe and The Brain Foundation. PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE AT THE LINK PROVIDED.
Speaker(s): Hari Srinivasan
Duke Event Series: Duke Center for Autism Seminar Series
Duke Event Co-Sponsor(s): Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI), Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS)
Duke Event Type(s): Diversity/Inclusion, Lecture/Talk, Webcast
Autism Acceptance Month 2024
Our keynote for Autism Acceptance Month 2024 will be Hari Srinivasan, presenting "Redefine the Table."
Our keynote presenter for Autism Acceptance Month 2024 will be Hari Srinivasan. A self-advocate, Mr. Srinivasan is a PhD student in neuroscience at Vanderbilt University, an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley, a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow, a NISE fellow at the Frist Center for Autism & Innovation at Vanderbilt University, and a public member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.
At UC Berkeley, Mr. Srinivasan majored in psychology with a minor in disability studies and graduated as a University Medal Finalist, along with a Departmental Citation Award, Highest Honors, Phi Beta Kappa, and Psi Chi. He was an undergraduate Haas Scholar and carried out a year-long study on awe and empathy in autism. He was also lead student instructor for a weekly class on autism, creating and teaching content that covered a myriad of issues across the lifespan. As a student journalist at The Daily Californian, he wrote over 50 articles on both disability and non-disability topics.
As part of his graduate program, he will research the sensorimotor space, specifically peripersonal space (PPS), which has practical implications on multiple fronts for autism. He has autism and ADHD. His autism includes limited speaking ability, sensorimotor issues, health issues, OCD, mood dysregulation and social anxiety. His non-academic affiliations span law and policy to research arenas such as IACC, DREDF, ASAN, ASA, INSAR, Autism Europe and The Brain Foundation.
VR Research Cave
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I'm going to get to use this cool tech in my research design to study sensorimotor issues in autism.
Processing loss and grief is even more intense for autistics.
Another excellent and deep article from Hari Srinivasan about how loneliness, lack of support, disruption in schedules and being the child of immigrants, can make processing loss and grief even more intense for autistic people.
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