Neurotransmitters Flow in this Autism Mind

https://www.dailycal.org/2018/03/15/first-transitions

Solutions, not more autism days

Duke ACE Keynote

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/r5l150QOpai

Understanding Hostile Attribution Bias in Autism

in PlanSpeak Plain Language for Lay Reader

Hostile Attribution Bias is when someone thinks others are being mean or hostile, even when their actions are unclear or accidental. For example, if a person with this bias gets accidentally bumped into, they might believe it was done on purpose. This can lead to more misunderstandings because they react as if they are being threatened.

Hostile Attribution Bias and Autism.

But because autistic people often struggle with social cues and communication, it's possible they might also experience this bias.

Studies have found that autistics are more likely to see ambiguous situations as hostile compared to non-autistics. This can lead to higher levels of social anxiety and problematic behaviors like aggression or self-injury.

The Role of Society However, this bias in autistic people might not just be due to their difficulty with social cues. It can also come from a lifetime of facing social stigma, exclusion, and misunderstanding. When someone is repeatedly treated negatively, they can become more sensitive to potential threats. They lose trust that others will treat them well. This sensitivity means they might see even innocent actions as harmful.

Challenges Faced by Autistics. Autistics often face unique social challenges and stigma, which can make interpreting social cues even harder. They are frequently misunderstood and rejected. This is even worse for those with more noticeable behaviors or communication issues. From a young age, they might be placed in educational systems with low expectations, reinforcing a belief that they can't succeed. The very people (professional/educators) put in place to support them can often end up limiting opportunities and discriminating againsst them. This cycle of negative experiences can make them more likely to develop hostile attribution bias.

Impact on Mental Health. The combination of social difficulties inherent in autism and external societal stigma can create a strong foundation for developing hostile attribution bias. This not only affects their social interactions but also adds to their mental health struggles.

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Read more on Hostile Attribution Bias: [Version for Scientific/Academic Audience], [PlainSpeak for the Lay Reader], [A Simple Definition]

Related Posts on [Neuroception], [Negative Attribution Bias]

Easter Egg Hunt

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

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

https://www.pdsoros.org/news-events/public-voices-fellowships-year-one-s-successes

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.

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]

https://www.dailycal.org/2018/04/05/access-ramp-volunteering

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

PlainSpeak for the Lay Reader

A short definition

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

https://globalhealth.duke.edu/events/autism-acceptance-month-keynote-presentation-redefine-table

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

https://autismcenter.duke.edu/events/autism-acceptance-month-2024

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.