From the Spectrum: Finding Superpowers with Autism

In this episode, we explore the Basal Ganglia. The basal ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei that play a crucial role in orchestrating movement. They are involved in what's known as the 'Go, No-Go' decision-making process, where they help decide whether to initiate or suppress actions. This region is critical where motivation translates into action.

When discussing "motivations," we must be cautious; motivations aren't consciously defined by us but by our nervous system, which operates based on learned behaviors, habits, and neural pathways. The nervous system is designed to conserve energy by automating responses, which explains why it favors habit formation over constant conscious decision-making. It responds based on what it has learned, including connections, habits, and the rules established by our internal calculators.

General Description of the Basal Ganglia:

Inputs: Caudate Nucleus and Putamen

Relays: Globus Pallidus External (GPe) and Subthalamic Nucleus

Outputs: Globus Pallidus Internal (GPi) and Substantia Nigra Pars Reticulata (SNr)

Modulator: Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta (SNc)

00:00 - Defining the Autistic Phenotypes.

00:17 - Exploration of basal ganglia, focusing on the dorsal striatum.

00:40 - Explanation of connecting Autistic Phenotypes with behaviors and implications through biology.

01:00 - Detailed description of the basal ganglia's role in subcortical functions.

01:50 - Discussion on the relationship between eye and brain development.

02:18 - Explanation of basal ganglia's role in motivation and movement convergence.

03:02 - Insight into how the nervous system conserves energy and responds to known patterns.

03:52 - Explanation of why change is hard due to basal ganglia functions.

04:37 - paper on excitation-inhibition phenomena in autism.

05:07 - Genetic implications in autism: SHANK3, Neuroexcin, Neuroligin,

06:45 - Discussion on the enlargement of the dorsal striatum in autism.

08:07 - Identification of the caudate nucleus and putamen as inputs to the basal ganglia.

09:40 - Role of the putamen in motor skill acquisition and fine-tuning movements.

11:59 - Connection between the putamen and Autism-related motor behaviors like stimming.

13:30 - Discussion on Autistics preferring their inner world.

16:04 - Importance of the substantia nigra and dopamine in human function.

18:26 - Dopamine receptors and their roles in Autism.

20:03 - Subdivisions of the substantia nigra and their functions.

21:01 - Description of the globus pallidus and its role in basal ganglia circuits.

22:29 - Feedback loops involving the globus pallidus and subthalamic nucleus.

23:40 - Implications of delayed or inefficient signal loops in movement control.

24:57 - Role of the thalamus in processing sensations.

26:31 - Subthalamic nucleus as a major relay center for motor control.

28:47 - Linking Autism criteria with basal ganglia function.

30:20 - Coverage of all four criteria B symptoms related to Autism.

32:14 - Morphology of neural connections in Autism.

32:51 - Reviews and ratings.

X: https://x.com/rps47586

Hopp: https://www.hopp.bio/fromthespectrum

YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxEzLKXkjppo3nqmpXpzuA

TikTok: (I don't love it) https://www.tiktok.com/@fromthespectrumpodcast

email: [email protected]

The biology that gives us Autism allows us to be comfortable within ourselves.

Our biology orients the Autistic towards our internal state. This is more comfortable for the Autistic in comparison to the outside world. In this episode, we cover brain regions, networks, and internal calculators. All humans use these biological calculators. However, based on the living organisms unique structure of brain regions and networks (connections), it is easy to understand why people are different.

Epinephrine & Glia https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S009286741930621X

Other Resources:

Autism and Adaptive Responses https://youtu.be/Zj3_e6ZjCGk

Autism and Default Mode Network https://youtu.be/9CqyH4woB34

Autism and Salience Network https://youtu.be/9ZbTztb3al8

Autism and B.3 https://youtu.be/Ov_Bw--zzrQ

00:00 - Introduction

00:42 - Biology and Autistic Comfort

03:05 - Salience Network Explanation

05:06 - Attention Management in Autism

08:35 - Default Mode Network in Autism

09:47 - Introducing Internal Calculators & Neuromodulators; Neuroplasticity

10:52 - Biological Responses in Autistic Behavior

14:02 - Effort and Energy: The Role of Internal Calculators; Calculator for Effort vs. Outcome

17:07 - Social Interaction and Energy Use

20:23 - Dopamine and Internal Calculators; Reward Prediction Error as an Internal Calculator

25:18 - Internal Calculators and Societal Norms; Impact of Social Expectations on Internal Calculators; Neuroplasticity

X: https://x.com/rps47586

Hopp: https://www.hopp.bio/fromthespectrum

YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxEzLKXkjppo3nqmpXpzuA

TikTok: (I don't love it) https://www.tiktok.com/@fromthespectrumpodcast

email: [email protected]

Understanding the roles of Thyroid with Autism & Parkinson's, and what is the missing link.

Research misses the link. Do not rely on research to connect these conditions and point to the real cause. Both, Autism and Parkinson's, have two major factors, 1) clocked timing and 2) A loss of, or a lack of, energy.

Two Questions are asked:

1) What do you think Neuromelanin is?

2) What do you think Light is?

Maternal health and preconception testing for Autism https://youtube.com/shorts/C2yhaPoWdIY

Iodine: https://youtube.com/shorts/q3dv-bslEwQ

Thyroid hormones and Autism https://youtube.com/shorts/SRnDzn4Uvgc

Impact of light on neurodevelopment and aging: Autism https://youtube.com/shorts/cLu53oVRRjI

Basal Ganglia: our go no go area for learning & habits https://youtube.com/shorts/YWc8AxuGHHM

Basal Ganglia: Motivation & Movements (you don't define Motivation, the nervous system does)

https://youtube.com/shorts/5agnRtSC95U

X: https://x.com/rps47586

Hopp: https://www.hopp.bio/fromthespectrum

YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxEzLKXkjppo3nqmpXpzuA

TikTok: (I don't love it) https://www.tiktok.com/@fromthespectrumpodcast

email: [email protected]

Consider how the autistic phenotype might be judged. We spend more time in educational settings, but our interactions extend beyond these environments. Humans are social creatures, and we need to understand what individuals are trying to accomplish, especially in social settings. These two phenotypes show significant differences.

A Year in Review from previous episodes.

00:00 - Intro

00:42 - Warning Against Comparing Rates; why comparing autism rates across different time periods is misleading due to changes in diagnostic criteria and definitions.

02:07 - Historical Context; the Bayh-Dole Act, DSM acceptance of Autism, and changes in vaccination schedules, affecting Autism definitions; Core Autism Characteristics

04:30 - Educational Challenges; Describes the typical school day's structure as potentially overwhelming for Autistic individuals due to frequent subject changes.

05:36 - Intense Focus; Autistic individuals might fixate on topics with abnormal intensity or focus, which is a hallmark of Autism.

08:40 - The biology of Autism allows us to be comfortable within ourselves; contrasting with societal expectations.

09:09 - Employment and Anxiety; Considers how the expectation to fit into social norms can lead to anxiety and challenges in employment for Autistic individuals.

10:10 - ADHD and Autism; Challenges the notion of coexisting ADHD and Autism,

14:26 - Early Detection; UCLA study on very young children showing altered salience network connectivity, hinting at early signs of Autism.

14:49 - Developmental Timing; emphasizes that Autism likely starts in the womb, suggesting prenatal development as a critical area for research.

15:14 - Neurodevelopmental Perspective; Autism as underdeveloped or abnormally developed cells, linking it to broader neurodevelopmental disorders.

16:03 - Comorbid Conditions: Explores the concept of Autism being associated with various other conditions due to shared developmental issues.

16:47 - Biological Processes: cellular proliferation, differentiation, and migration in the womb, crucial for brain development.

17:41 - Mitochondria and Autism

18:30 - Oxytocin & Autism; oxytocin as a molecule of interest, particularly its pathways and their implications for social behavior in Autism.

20:29 - Social Reward System; Explains how oxytocin and serotonin interaction in the brain contributes to the rewarding nature of social interaction, which might be lacking in Autism.

21:21 - Serotonin Synthesis; Details the synthesis of serotonin in both the GI tract and the brain, mentioning the enzymes involved and their significance.

22:34 - Tryptophan and Light; Discusses how light affects tryptophan, an amino acid precursor to serotonin, and its role in biological processes.

23:33 - Supplementing Relationships; Explores how visual thinking and movies can serve as a form of interaction for Autistic individuals, offering comfort or learning.

25:17 - Visual Learning; Highlights the concept of "thinking in pictures" and how it leads to accelerated learning or Autistic intelligence.

27:47 - Autistic Comfort and Societal Expectations; Advises against forcing Autistic individuals into societal norms that don't align with their natural inclinations, emphasizing understanding and acceptance

X; https://x.com/rps47586

Hopp: https://www.hopp.bio/fromthespectrum

YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxEzLKXkjppo3nqmpXpzuA

email: [email protected]

In this episode, we discuss some difficulties with eye contact for the Autistic phenotype. Sensory processing and the rate of information comes fast, and this provides additional energy for an already challenging and exhaustive task. Humans are constantly extracting physical phenomena from the environment (sensations) and we process this information to inform our nervous systems (perceptions). Specifically in this episode, we discuss the differences between listening and speaking.

X: https://x.com/rps47586

Hopp: https://www.hopp.bio/fromthespectrum

email: [email protected]

My guest today is Dr. Kristen Lyall, ScD. Dr. Lyall received a Doctor of Science in Epidemiology from Harvard School of Public Health. During her postdoctoral training, she received training in Nutrient Science at Harvard and Pediatric Epidemiology at UC-Davis MIND Institute's Autism Research Training Program. Currently, Dr. Lyall is an Associate Professor at Drexel University's A.J. Drexel Autism Institute – Modifiable Risk Factors Program.

The overarching goal of the Modifiable Risk Factors program is to identify factors that can be changed to prevent or mitigate the adverse effects associated with Autism, thereby potentially improving outcomes for individuals and informing public health policy and practice. Dr. Lyall's expertise provides actionable tools for listeners to understand the environmental risks of Autism. By the end of the episode, we hope you gain insight into the identified modifiable risk factors for Autism.

Dr. Kristen Lyall: https://drexel.edu/autisminstitute/about/our-team/all-staff/Kristen-Lyall/

Dr. Lyall publications link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Kristen%20Lyall&sort=pubdate

ECHO: https://echochildren.org

Fish not Supplements: https://echochildren.org/research-summaries/fish-but-not-supplements-consumed-in-pregnancy-associated-with-lower-rates-of-autism-diagnosis-and-related-traits-echo-cohort-study-finds/

Other Resources:

Biological Energy: Quantum Mechanisms, Water, DHA, and NF-kB (Autism is a loss of energy- electrons, photons, protons)

https://youtu.be/2-IA_gunXbw

0:00 Dr. Kristen Lyall

2:30 Her Journey into Epidemiology & Autism

7:50 The Role of Epidemiology & Autism

12:15 Modifiable Risk Factors

17:32 Dietary Influences on Autism Risk; Eat more FISH (DHA!)

22:53 Assessing Exposure & Risk Factors

32:35 Immune & Hormonal Factors in Autism; Cytokines & Inflammation

39:17 The Impact of Acute Events during Pregnancy

44:45 Air Pollution & its Effects in Neurodevelopment; Oxidative Stress

48:14 Current & Future Research; ECHO & EARLI

56:34 Reviews/Ratings, Contact Info

X: https://x.com/rps47586

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxEzLKXkjppo3nqmpXpzuA

Hopp: https://www.hopp.bio/fromthespectrum

email: [email protected]

In this brief episode, we discuss keeping up in the classroom during teacher lecture. Specifically, we discuss the delays in sensory processing, taking notes, visual thinking, and some challenges with keeping up. This is a pressing issue for Autistics, and in my opinion, education needs to do better for the Autistic phenotype.

Autism and Education https://youtu.be/zQpNtvS-tWw

X: https://x.com/rps47586

Hopp: https://www.hopp.bio/fromthespectrum

email: [email protected]

For today's episode, we discussing transferring energy from the environment across our biology. We discuss a few quantum theories, atoms, molecules, water, DHA, and NF-kB. Life on Earth is driven by energy from the environment, and this could be missed with humans, and especially with developmental problems like Autism.

Water Podcast 1: Rubin, Kruse, Huberman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lBAcUMGIeI&t=43s

Water Podcast 2: Gulhane and Kruse (Light changes the Physics of Water !) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9Ubguvfpys

Water Podcast 3: Gulhane and Kruse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5w0WainlMM

https://www.plefa.com/article/S0952-3278(12)00147-0/abstract

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5793004/#:~:text=Electrons%20exist%20in%20all%20matter,role%20in%20oxidation%2Dreduction%20reactions.

Quantum-coherent energy transfer: implications for biology and new energy technologies https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3385675/#:~:text=In%20the%20simplest%20picture%2C%20quantum,transport%20at%20the%20molecular%20scale.

Quantum cognition: The possibility of processing with nuclear spins in the brain https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003491615003243

Role of semiconductivity and ion transport in the electrical conduction of melanin https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1119948109

0:00 Intro

0:40 Quantum Biology, Coherence, Thermodynamics, Water, DHA, NF-kB, and transferring energy - Atoms & Molecules

2:00 Oxygen and CCO; Mitochondria

3:55 Quantum Biology; Environments influence Atoms & Molecules

5:50 Coherence & States; Light guides Life on Earth; Light provides Energy after it hits Matter

7:16 Modern Human Environments

7:41 Quantum Thermodynamics; Melanin, Electrons; Rules

9:03 Biophotons, Photons and Lux; Seasonal Impact

11:15 Electrons & Mitochondria; Real sources of Energy

12:00 Artificial Light versus 280nm-3100nm Light; Big Harma & GLP-1 sidebar

14:16 Autism and Loss of Biological Energy; changes in Light

15:43 Electrons in Biology; Water; Coherent Domains; Semiconductors

17:15 DHA; Electron Efficiency; Cells; Photoreceptors and Converting Energy and Developing Nervous Systems (plural)

19:20 Phylogeny of Oxytocin and DHA sidebar; pi-electons; DHA dictates DNA

22:40 Jack Kruse Quote

23:36 Cells, Tissues, & Synapses; Origins of Autism; DHA roles

26:14 Autism and X, Y, Z comorbid conditions (plural); definitions of Autism (modern versus origins), Criteria

29:23 DHA takeaways; efficiency

31:41 NF-kB; creating the womb and nervous systems; Autism and Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC)

35:06 Reviews/Rating & Contact Info

These are comments about my opinion and experience with education- the classroom and the school day. There are many contrasts to the Autistic phenotype when it comes to the classroom and school day.

Autism and Education https://youtu.be/zQpNtvS-tWw

B.3 https://youtu.be/Ov_Bw--zzrQ

Kanner Kids https://youtu.be/FjELhG5FKzs

Asperger's Autistic Intelligence https://youtu.be/qygNL6wCrhg

X: https://x.com/rps47586

Hopp: https://www.hopp.bio/fromthespectrum

email: [email protected]