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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : October 8, 2014 10:26 AM IST
In a ray of hope for people suffering from autism, researchers have discovered neuron populations in a region of the mouse brain that controls whether the animal engages in social behaviour or asocial repetitive self-grooming behaviour.
Autism has also been linked to dysfunction of the amygdala, a brain structure involved in processing emotions. Humans with autism often show a reduced frequency of social interactions and an increased tendency to engage in repetitive solitary behaviour. Lead researcher David J. Anderson, a Biology professor at the California Institute of Technology and his colleagues discovered two intermingled but distinct population of neurons in the amygdala.
One 'social neurons' population promotes social behaviour such as mating, fighting or social grooming while the other 'self-grooming neurons' population controls repetitive self-grooming - an asocial behaviour. To study the relationship between these two cell types and their associated behaviour, researchers used a technique called optogenetics. Anderson's team was able to selectively switch on the neurons associated with social behaviour and those linked with asocial behaviour. 'Surprisingly, these two groups of neurons appear to interfere with each other's function: the activation of 'social neurons' inhibits self-grooming behaviour while the activation of 'self-grooming neurons' inhibits social behaviour,' Anderson noted.
In autism, there is a decrease in social interactions and there is often an increase in repetitive, sometimes asocial or self-oriented behaviour - a phenomenon known as perseveration. 'By stimulating a particular set of neurons, we are both inhibiting social interactions and promoting these persistent behaviours,' Anderson said. If we find the right population of neurons, it might be possible to override the genetic component of a behavioural disorder like autism by just changing the activity of the brain circuits, concluded the study that was reported in the journal Cell.
Here are some tips for parents to deal with autistic children
Limit use of audio visual devices: If you know that your baby has autism it is even more necessary to limit usage of all the electronic devices like the smart phones, iPhones, iPads or even television viewing. 'These devices are known to hamper mental development in a child. These devices are passive medium of entertainment and don't help in cognitive development of a baby. Instead invest in toys that are interactive like push button toys that have lights, music, rhymes for specific ones. These interactive ones can help in stimulating the brain,' says Dr Gadgil.
Keep off processed foods: Don't allow or overload your baby's plate with junk or processed foods. 'The chemicals present in the processed and can foods can have an effect on the neurological development of the babies suffering from autism,' informs Dr Gadgil.
Encourage conversations: Talk to your baby and do that often. 'Human interaction is more necessary in children suffering from autism. Tell stories, rhymes or just talk to your baby. This provides a lot of stimulation to the baby and helps to encourage social behaviour,' informs Dr Gadgil. Though you cannot expect a total change in behaviour and better communication skills in your baby soon even with your best attempts, but don't give up. These actions will do her a great deal of good to help her brain take in the command albeit slowly. Read more about 6 tips for parents to deal with autistic children
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty imagees
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