Neurotransmitters Flow in this Autism Mind

Good Job. You're so Brave

Sharing art made by students in my 1:54 Autism Spectrum Disorder Class.

Image Credit: Thanh Pham

Quote is from Stella Young's Ted Talk https://youtu.be/8K9Gg164Bsw

I get to meet my hero

I am so in awe and admiration of Judy. I am in so much awe and admiration. This is at the Naval Observatory (VP's residence) to celebrate ADA30.

A feeling of lightness
Of bonds breaking free
I look down at my body below
And people that stand around it

Tears on their faces
Anguish in their hearts
They mourn the carrion of flesh and bone
While unshackled, flies my soul

Mourn me not my loved ones.
My words unheard by those below
My mortal body is Maya, mere illusion
Brahman, transcendent reality, is my soul

I will always be with you, dear ones
Grief at start will fade to distant memory
Your dreams and your memories
Are conversations with God really

I travel with angels all around me
Apsaras dance to heaven’s melody
Gloria in excelsis deo
Glory to God in the Highest

O Resplendent Light, Phos Hilaron
I see the face of God before me
Down there at His divine feet
I settle myself down in ecstasy

The Cosmic Director smiles down on me
Are you ready for the next act, asks He.
You may tarry a while in My company
Before I assign you, your next role

Kaala tithaya am I, beyond space and time
Siddha Sankalpaya, My will is instantaneous
I protect and nourish earthkind at all times
For I am verily the Embodiment of Love

Human existence involves, He explains
Births, deaths and rebirths
A karmic cycle of cause and effect
Free will of man plays a mighty role

Free Will I give to man, for I love you most
Use it well in the roles you lead
With spiritual evolution you will reach
Your ultimate destiny, mergence with Me

God recounts the roles of past played by me
Movie clip images, scenes flash before me
Countless colors, countries and lifestyles do I see
In the multitudes of lifetimes I have led.

Ignorant was I, now understanding dawns
Human life is transient at best
Death, a mere comma in the cosmic scheme
So why waste trifles over mortal emotions

To experience Happiness
One must know sorrow
Tests of the morrow
Are but a path to the end

Translations
Maya [Sanskrit]: Illusion
Brahman [Sanskrit]: Absolute Reality
Gloria in excelsis Deo [Latin]: Glory to God in the Highest
Phos Hilaron [Greek]: O Resplendent Light
Kaalatithaya [Sanskrit]: one who is beyond space and time
Siddha Sankalpaya [Sanskrit]: one who’s will is instantaneous and successful

Media Mention

Media Mention...

"...an alternative framework for understanding autism spectrum disorder outside the traditional “high functioning” and “low functioning” categories, offered by Hari Srinivasan in a Berkeley class on autism, inspired the theme. The zine format is great – approachable, fun, and cheap! – and I’ve found it’s an easy way to start a conversation about new ways to think and communicate about data." - Madeline Arnold. https://datasciencebydesign.org/blog/beyond-binaries 7/13/22

Regressive Autism

Regressive autism, also known as late-onset or acquired autism, is characterized by the loss of previously acquired developmental skills, particularly in social communication and interaction. This regression typically occurs between 15 and 30 months of age, where children may initially develop normally but then experience a decline in verbal communication, social engagement, and may exhibit decreased eye contact, along with an increase in repetitive behaviors. This regression often leads to significant distress for both the child and caregivers.

Explanations and Theories for Regressive Autism

Genetic Factors: There is evidence suggesting a genetic predisposition to regressive autism. Children with this form of autism may have a family history of autism or other developmental disorders, indicating a potential genetic component (Zwaigenbaum et al., 2009).
Environmental Triggers: Environmental factors, such as exposure to certain toxins, infections, or other external stressors, have been hypothesized to trigger regression in children who are genetically predisposed. However, clear causal relationships are not well established (Hertz-Picciotto et al., 2006).
Immune System Abnormalities: Abnormal immune responses or autoimmunity have been linked to regressive autism. Research has identified irregularities in the immune systems of children with autism, which might contribute to the regression of skills (Ashwood et al., 2006).
Neurological Factors: Changes in brain structure and function, including abnormalities in brain development and connectivity, are being explored as potential explanations for regression (Courchesne et al., 2007).
Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Mitochondrial dysfunction, which affects energy production in cells, is another area of research in autism, including regressive forms. Dysfunction in these cellular processes could impact neurodevelopment (Rossignol and Frye, 2012).
Neuronal Pruning: Abnormal neuronal pruning is a significant area of interest. Neuronal pruning is a natural process during brain development where excess neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated to optimize brain function. In autism, including regressive autism, either excessive pruning (leading to a loss of necessary neural connections) or insufficient pruning (resulting in too many synapses) could disrupt normal brain function and development. This disruption may contribute to the loss of previously acquired skills in regressive autism (Tang et al., 2014; Varghese et al., 2017). Genetic studies have linked mutations in genes involved in synaptic pruning, such as MECP2, SHANK3, and PTEN, to autism spectrum disorders (Penzes et al., 2011). [READ MORE ON NEURONAL PRUNING]

Citations

Zwaigenbaum, L., et al. (2009). The changing epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 54(7), 533-540.
Hertz-Picciotto, I., et al. (2006). The CHARGE study: an epidemiologic investigation of genetic and environmental factors contributing to autism. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114(7), 1119-1125.
Ashwood, P., et al. (2006). The immune response in autism: a new frontier for autism research. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 80(1), 1-15.
Courchesne, E., et al. (2007). Mapping early brain development in autism. Neuron, 56(2), 399-413.
Rossignol, D. A., & Frye, R. E. (2012). Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Molecular Psychiatry, 17(3), 290-314.
Tang, G., et al. (2014). Loss of mTOR-dependent macroautophagy causes autistic-like synaptic pruning deficits. Neuron, 83(5), 1131-1143.
Varghese, M., et al. (2017). Autism spectrum disorder: neuropathology and animal models. Acta Neuropathologica, 134(4), 537-566.
Penzes, P., et al. (2011). Dendritic spine pathology in neuropsychiatric disorders. Nature Neuroscience, 14(3), 285-293.

The Lab Coat - A Simple Drop of Joy

Through much of my special education years, I had yearned to be given the opportunity to learn science and math like my non-disabled peers. And a lab coat was one symbol I associated with this access to mainstream education and mainstream science. After all only the students in mainstream education got to wear lab coats - the rest of us got to wear aprons, at best, for what seemed like kindergarten activities on repeat.

I finally did get that opportunity of access to mainstream curriculum in high school and got to wear that lab coat. It was a simple drop of joy.

The physical part of science lab has not been easy for me whether it was the delicate equipment /materials (which call for a great deal of fine motor skills and coordination) or the gear I was asked to wear. For instance, the lab googles given out to students with the heavy rubber straps at the back felt too tight and constraining on my head and the sensation of disposable gloves never felt good on my hands and the impulse was just to take them off. It took time and effort to figure out that there were slip on lab goggles much like sunglasses. Wearing those disposable gloves for any length of time took a lot of effort and practice. Doing labs required a lot of planning and teamwork from students around me.

At least the lab coat itself did not present challenges. That was totally doable.

It was rather serendipitous to receive this email today about the upcoming "Lab Coat ceremony" in September for incoming students where I will get my own personalized lab coat.

I started with simple beginnings, now going to an event titled Simple Beginnings. A simple drop of joy for me.

Dear incoming 1st-year PhD graduate students,

On behalf of the Biomedical Research Education and Training office at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, I want to share my excitement in having you on campus very soon! We want to celebrate you at our annual Simple Beginnings ceremony where we recognize you and your research interests while awarding each of you a personally embroidered lab coat. .....

Grandpa and me

Some photos with my late grandpa Raghavan Thatha taken in Ooty, India.

Manimandapam and Kanchipuram Silk

During my (short) summer trip to India, got to visit Manimandapam, samadhi (resting place) of the late Kanchi Shankaracharya. A fantastic work of architecture. Refreshingly cool inside (natural AC) amidst the blazing heat outside.

A visit to the Gosala outside the temple.

And got to go sari shopping in Kanchipuram (famous for silk) with my Kapil Maama and Anu Maami for my cousin Ved's Poonal.

Got to see the mill where they handweave all the saris. And they use punch cards to feed in the patterns.

Grad School News - Student Spotlight

https://wp0.vanderbilt.edu/gradschool-blog/2022/05/17/may-2022-student-spotlights/

Hari Srinivasan; an incoming Ph.D. student in neuroscience– , has been named to the 2022 cohort of the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship Program for New Americans. This merit-based graduate award for immigrants and children of immigrants provides 30 fellows annually with up to $90,000 in funding to support their graduate studies. The 2022 cohort was chosen from a pool of more than 1,800 applicants on the basis of their potential to make significant contributions to the United States. Congratulations Hari!

Haas Scholar Photoshoot

Over the years I've seen students posing for with their grad gear at different locations on campus.

I ended up in 2 photoshoots for my grad, one with my fellow Calbear David (separate post) and this one with my Haas Scholars cohort, complete with a photo of the champagne bottle shaken and opened and the look of surprise and amazement on all our faces.