Neuroscience and Autism Insights
24 Questions
4 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Merzenich believes an environmental factor can affect neural circuits in autistic children or can even lead to _____

epilepsy

BDNF stands for brain derived _____ factor.

neurotrophic

When we do something that causes neurons to fire together, BDNF is _____

released

Harlow's experiment involved single infant monkeys and two dummy '_____'.

<p>mothers</p> Signup and view all the answers

Monkeys spent most time with their _____ mother.

<p>cloth</p> Signup and view all the answers

The lack of interaction led the monkeys to grow up socially _____ and display autistic-like behaviors.

<p>maladjusted</p> Signup and view all the answers

Neglect in childhood may lead to misdiagnosis of learning difficulties like _____

<p>autism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Merzenich believes some situations over excite neurons in children predisposed to _____

<p>autism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Early life trauma like childhood abuse can lead to long-term reductions in ______ and impair neurogenesis.

<p>BDNF</p> Signup and view all the answers

Overactivation of the amygdala reduces the frontal lobe's ability to regulate ______ perception.

<p>threat</p> Signup and view all the answers

Stress can lead to reduced hippocampal volume, which affects memory ______.

<p>consolidation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Childhood adversity negatively impacts the ability to recognize emotions and ______.

<p>intentions</p> Signup and view all the answers

Physical neglect is the strongest predictor of impaired social ______.

<p>cognition</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Default Mode Network (DMN) is active during ______.

<p>rest</p> Signup and view all the answers

Childhood adversity is linked to reduced DMN ______, especially between posterior regions.

<p>connectivity</p> Signup and view all the answers

The strength of connections within the DMN shows an ______ U-shaped pattern across the lifespan.

<p>inverse</p> Signup and view all the answers

Schaffer and Emerson suggested a stage of theory of attachment development under headings including the asocial stage, indiscriminate attachments, specific attachments, and ______ attachments.

<p>multiple</p> Signup and view all the answers

Genie was locked away by her father, who described her as ‘______’ and believed she had a learning disability.

<p>retarded</p> Signup and view all the answers

At the age of 13, Genie looked half her age and was physically, emotionally, and cognitively ______.

<p>underdeveloped</p> Signup and view all the answers

One notably autistic feature of Genie's behavior was a disinterest in other people; she treated them like an ______ object.

<p>inanimate</p> Signup and view all the answers

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has emerged as an important mediator for long-term functional deterioration associated with ______.

<p>mental illness</p> Signup and view all the answers

In depressed subjects, the expression of BDNF is reduced in brain structures like the ______.

<p>hippocampus</p> Signup and view all the answers

Chronic stress and genetic models of depression lead to reduced BDNF levels, contributing to behavioral dysfunction and ______ symptoms.

<p>depression</p> Signup and view all the answers

BDNF plays a crucial role in ______, which is often disrupted in depression.

<p>neurogenesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Schaffer and Emerson's Stages of Attachment

A theory proposing distinct phases in the development of attachment in infants, including asocial, indiscriminate, specific, and multiple attachments.

Genie's Isolation

A case study of a child raised in extreme isolation, highlighting the severe developmental consequences of lacking social interaction.

Impact of Isolation on Development

Significant physical, emotional, and cognitive impairments stem from prolonged social isolation during childhood.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

A protein crucial for neuronal growth, survival, and plasticity; plays a key role in mental health, especially in depression.

Signup and view all the flashcards

BDNF and Depression

In depressed individuals, BDNF levels are reduced in brain regions like the hippocampus, contributing to the symptoms of depression.

Signup and view all the flashcards

BDNF and Resilience

BDNF is also associated with stress resilience and coping mechanisms.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Neurogenesis and BDNF

BDNF is vital for neurogenesis (new neuron creation), which is often disrupted in depression.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Antidepressant Role in BDNF

Antidepressants can potentially restore brain plasticity and increase BDNF levels, which can help alleviate depression symptoms.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Critical Period Impact on Autism

Environmental factors during a critical period can affect neural circuits, potentially causing autism or epilepsy in children.

Signup and view all the flashcards

BDNF and Critical Period

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is released when neurons fire together and plays a role in closing the critical period after neural connections are formed.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Over-Excited Neurons (Autism)

Merzenich's theory suggests some situations can over-excite neurons resulting in early BDNF release. This leads to sealed brain maps, responsible for disorders like autism.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Undifferentiated Brain Maps (Autism)

Early release of BDNF might lead to undifferentiated brain maps due to connections being sealed early, contributing to developmental brain disorders.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Autism and Hypersensitivity

The theory suggests hypersensitivity in autism may occur because one frequency can cause the entire auditory cortex to fire, due to brain map issues.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Autism and Epilepsy Link

The theory proposes a high rate of epilepsy in autism, arguing that, instead of a few neurons firing, the whole brain might be activated.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Harlow's Monkey Experiment

Harlow's experiment demonstrated that monkeys prefer social interaction over food and showed that neglect in early development can cause social and behavioural issues, similar to autism.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Neglect and Learning Difficulties

Early childhood neglect could potentially lead to difficulties and misdiagnosis of learning differences like autism.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Early life trauma's effect on BDNF

Childhood abuse can lower levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), impacting the development of new brain cells (neurogenesis).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Amygdala overactivation

The amygdala, a part of the brain involved in fear and threat detection, can become overly active, even in safe situations, due to perceived threats.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hippocampal volume & stress

Chronic stress can shrink the hippocampus, a brain area crucial for memory formation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Childhood adversity & emotion recognition

Difficult childhood experiences (abuse, neglect) make it harder to understand and recognize emotions in others.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Physical neglect vs. emotional adversity

Physical neglect has a stronger link to impaired social skills than emotional adversity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Default Mode Network (DMN)

The DMN is a brain network active during rest, supporting social reasoning, theory of mind, and other mental processes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

DMN connectivity & adversity

Adverse childhood experiences can reduce the connections within the DMN, especially between its parts.

Signup and view all the flashcards

DMN and lifespan

DMN connectivity shows an inverse U-shape throughout life.Stronger connections during adulthood.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Norman Doidge's Findings

  • Merzenich believes environmental factors during critical periods affect neural circuits in autistic children, potentially linking it to epilepsy.
  • BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) release is triggered by repeated neural firings.
  • BDNF plays a role in closing critical periods, which affects the development of brain maps.
  • Over-excitation of neurons in children can lead to early BDNF release, potentially contributing to autism.
  • This can lead to undifferentiated brain maps, resulting in brain disorders and hypersensitivity.

Clara Flanagan's Monkey Experiment

  • Harry Harlow's experiment with infant monkeys showed that monkeys spent more time with a soft, cloth 'mother' than a wire 'mother' with a feeding bottle, preferring comfort over nourishment.
  • Monkeys deprived of proper social interaction exhibited maladaptive social behaviours, some resembling autism.
  • Neglect in childhood may lead to misdiagnosis of learning difficulties like autism.

Attachment Development

  • Schaffer and Emerson proposed stages of attachment development: asocial, indiscriminate, specific, and multiple attachments.

Children Reared in Isolation: Genie

  • Genie, isolated until age 13, displayed significant developmental delays and social disinterest, mirroring some autistic traits.
  • The study raises the question of whether isolation caused autism or if the abuse led to autism-like symptoms.

Cattaneo et al. Findings

  • BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels are reduced in depressed subjects, impacting brain structures like the hippocampus.
  • Chronic stress and genetic models of depression correlate with reduced BDNF, impairing behavioral function.
  • Antidepressants can restore neuronal plasticity, boosting BDNF levels and promoting neurogenesis.

Limbic System Dysregulation

  • Overactivation of the amygdala (the fear center) in response to perceived threat can reduce the frontal lobe's ability to regulate it.
  • Stress can decrease hippocampal volume, affecting memory consolidation and the distinction between real and false threats.

Childhood Adversity and Social Cognition

  • Childhood adversity (e.g., abuse, neglect) impairs the understanding of emotions and intentions, regardless of diagnosis.
  • Emotional adversity has a less profound effect on social cognition than physical neglect.
  • This can lead to difficulties understanding social situations and interacting with others.

Social Cognition and Mechanisms

  • Poor emotion recognition can result from inadequate maternal care, hindering social exploration and leading to social cognitive biases.

Default Mode Network (DMN)

  • The DMN supports autobiographical memory, social reasoning, and Theory of Mind (ToM), with stronger connectivity in adulthood.
  • Childhood adversity correlates with reduced DMN connectivity, particularly between posterior regions, impacting emotional recognition.
  • These dysconnections suggest a fundamental role in social cognitive challenges, observed regardless of diagnosis or externally-focused cognitive tasks.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Description

Explore the fascinating findings of Norman Doidge and Clara Flanagan regarding the impact of early experiences on neural development and social behavior in children. This quiz covers Merzenich's theories on BDNF and Harlow's monkey experiment, highlighting their implications for understanding autism and learning difficulties.

More Like This

Neuro-anatomie Leerpad 2: Biologie
12 questions
Neuroscience Overview Quiz
14 questions
Neuroscience Quiz: Opiates and Ecstasy
31 questions
Neuroscience Chapter 12 Quiz D
12 questions
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser