Key brain parts normal in autistic people

[HuckleB]

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/05/13/autism-mirror-study.html

"Two parts of the brain that are believed to play a key role in social interaction and communication respond normally in autistic individuals, new research suggests.

A group of scientists from New York University, Carnegie Mellon University, the Weizmann Institute in Israel and the University of Pittsburgh have found that the mirror neuron system behaves the same way in people with autism and in individuals without the condition.

...

Using MRIs, scientists studied the brain responses of both autistic and non-autistic individuals who were asked to passively witness and then perform a series of hand movements, such as picking up a cup of coffee.

Through the neural responses to the movements, scientists were able to determine the functioning of the mirror system part of the brain. In both groups, individuals responded strongly during the movement exercises and had unique neural responses to them.

..."


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For a related video on this study, see: http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/2010/05/mirror-neurons-theory-of-autism-refuted-by-fmri-study/


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Yeah, it's not a breakthrough of the kind we all hope to see, but it's interesting and necessary research. Of course, it's also just a single study.

[Oregone]

1. Im curious...what happens when you feed an autistic person pot?

Not sure why I thought of that tonight...it has nothing to do with your article.

[HuckleB]

2. Some parents use it on their kids with autism, according to the "Internets."

[Oregone]

3. The "internets" also say some parents treat kids with ADHD with it

Just stuff Ive read.


Personally I find this sick and wrong. I wouldn't waste my good weed on my children

[HuckleB]

4. I wouldn't either.

I'm guessing it's calming the kids down temporarily, which might calm the parents down, too. But, really, I don't know.

[Oregone]

5. I watched a presentation from an MD, and its not so simple as that according to him

Something about how stimulating CB1 increases dopamine in certain the receptors, thereby speeding up parts of the brain that work on inhibiting other parts of the brain (so it works through the same mechanisms amphetamines do, without as much nasty side-effects). This allows a "hyperactive" brain (which is actually a brain that has under active inhibitory areas) to work normal and focus on just a few ideas and stimuli at a time.

But what the hell do I know? I'm not a doctor. I was also high when I watched it.

http://www.google.ca/search?q=ADHD+cannabis

[HuckleB]

6. Any such claims are incredibly preliminary, and most preliminary theories don't pan out.

But there is plausibility.