Page 18 - Abacoa Community News - August '20

Page 18, Abacoa
science On the cUttinG edGe

The Scripps Research Institute News

Autism Researchers Map “To understand something properly, you need to know

Brain Circuitry Of Social where to look. It’s a needle-in-the-haystack problem,” Page
says. “Understanding how this circuit works normally
Preference enables us to now ask the questions, ‘How is this wiring
changed in a condition like autism? How do therapeutic
interventions impact the function of this circuit?’”
Discovery Empowers Research Into Needed The group found that one neural circuit connecting the
Therapies, Scientists Say mouse infralimbic cortex to the basolateral amygdala impairs
Some individuals love meeting new people, while others social behavior if its activity is dialed down. The other key
abhor the idea. For individuals with conditions such as autism, circuit connects the prelimbic cortex to the basolateral amygdala.
unfamiliar social interactions can produce negative emotions Dialing up activity of that circuit produced similarly impaired
such as fear and anxiety. A new study from Scripps Research social behavior, says Aya Zucca, the study’s co-first author.
reveals how two key neural circuits dictate the choice between Zucca notes that both mice and humans use corresponding brain
social approach and avoidance. Mouse brain social preference circuits, Page Lab, Scripps regions to process social information, so the mouse model is a
Neuroscientists who study autism have sought to define Research good one for studying these issues.
“Using a technique called optogenetics in mice, we
the brain circuits underlying these challenges, to enable controlled the neurons that were active during negative
more precise diagnosis, and to develop protocols for experiences at the precise time of social engagement. This
testing the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Brain manipulation of the circuit resulted in them avoiding social
mapping efforts have implicated multiple areas, including interaction. It’s a bit like when you see a friendly face, but
the emotional center of the brain and the region responsible then have a flashback of a negative experience that’s strong
for coordinating thoughts and actions. Assigning cause and enough to make you decide to walk the other way.”
effect to changes in these regions to the symptoms of autism, With this social preference circuitry now identified, other
however, has been challenging. questions can be addressed, such as, how this circuitry is wired
We Measure, uses a variety of innovative techniques to address this challenge, during development, and whether genetic or environmental risk
The study from the lab of neuroscientist Damon Page, Ph.D.,
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factors for autism cause mis-wiring of this circuitry, Page says.
“The brain circuitry underlying the social symptoms of
finding two specific circuits capable of independently controlling

For You!
thought and decision-making in the prefrontal cortex to the
beginning to map it,” Page says. “But this study adds an
Sean, Company Owner social preference in mice. Both link the areas of higher-level autism is almost certainly highly complex and we’re just
emotional regulation center of the brain, the amygdala.
important landmark to that map.”
561-208-8474 Sociable animals like mice – and humans – generally The study, “Social Behavior Is Modulated by Valence-
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curlytailscreens.com seek out social engagement, which produces benefits Encoding mPFC-Amygdala Sub-circuitry,” appears in the
journal Cell Reports on July 14. In addition to Page and Zucca,
including increased resilience to stress, Page explains. But
Window Screens • Sliding Screen Doors in conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and others that contributors include co-first author Wen-Chin Huang, currently
feature social impairments, an unexpected social encounter at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Picower Institute
may produce a negative emotional reaction. Difficulty for Learning and Memory, and Jenna Levy, of Scripps Research.
Family Owned & Operated
Est. 2013 10% OFF communicating and interacting with others is a hallmark This research was supported by the National Institutes
New Window Screen Order
Not valid with other discounts/coupons. Must of autism spectrum disorders, which now affect one in 34 of Health grant R01MH105610, Nancy Lurie Marks, the
present coupon during estimate. Max. Discount:
$70. Expires 9/30/2020 United States boys and one in 54 girls age 8, according to Fraternal Order of Eagles, the American Honda and Children’s
the National Institutes of Mental Health. Healthcare Charity, and an anonymous donor.

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