Scientists uncover new clues about brain function in human behavior

[HuckleB]

Scientists uncover new clues about brain function in human behavior

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=27257

"Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health, have discovered a genetically controlled brain mechanism responsible for social behavior in humans--one of the most important but least understood aspects of human nature. The findings are reported in Nature Neuroscience, published online on July 10, 2005.

The study compared the brains of healthy volunteers to those with a genetic abnormality, Williams Syndrome, a rare disorder that causes unique changes in social behavior. This comparison enabled the researchers to both define a brain circuit for social function in the healthy human brain, and identify the specific way in which it was affected by genetic changes in Williams Syndrome.

People with Williams Syndrome who are missing about 21 genes on chromosome seven are highly social and empathetic, even in situations that would elicit fear and anxiety in healthy people. They will eagerly, and often impulsively, engage in social interactions, even with strangers. However, they experience increased anxiety that is non-social, such as fear of spiders or heights (phobias) and worry excessively.

For several years, scientists have suspected that abnormal processing in the amygdala, an almond-shaped structure deep in the brain, may be involved in this striking pattern of behavior. The amygdala's response and regulation are thought to be critical to people's social behavior through the monitoring of daily life events such as danger signals. Scientists know from animal studies that damage to the amygdala impairs social functioning.

..."

[havocmom]

1. When does the junta start requiring those of us who show empathy

and refuse to be paralyzed with fear to be medicated?

[HuckleB]

2. ?

:shrug:

[havocmom]

9. While medicating for conditions is often important and very helpful,

(and I have been on the receiving end of such help) I question whether it is a good idea to let others decide what is normal and what is illness when those others may have an agenda beyond imporving an individual's life.

The neocons in power, talking about mental health screening for ALL school children, scare the shit outta me. I know THEY have an agenda. And finding a way to prevent a lot of empathy while also assuring everybody would be fearful of certain social situations and/or strangers sure would fit their adgenda.

There is a lot of science out there, which is good. Not all of it should be acted upon just because we have the technical ability to act.
Before we start down a trail treating empathy and fearlessness as a bad thing, I personally wanna check into just how slippery that slope is.

I do not want a society full of like-minded, predictable behavior using ants. There is a certain madness in curing non-comformity. The current powerholders in the US have such madness. I fear that. I fear those who have a vested interest in a population behaving is a particular way as also being able to define normal.

[HuckleB]

10. This article isn't about medication, nor conformity or neocons.

Please start another thread, if you would like to discuss a different topic.

Thank you.

[havocmom]

11. I know that. I am just pointing to the fact that it would be a good idea

to keep an eye on this research to assure it is used well and not to justify treatment for abnormalities by those who would get benefit from the lessening of empathic memembers of the population and making sure most people responded in a predictable manner to fear.

And I respond to what I want how I want. You can respond by using the ignor feature. You don't get to tell me what to do. But your response is sorta the mindset I am warning of.

And I mean that in the most kind, polite and firm way.

peace,
hm

[HuckleB]

12. Yeah, you can do what you want.

It just gets a little old, after a while, posting new knowledge about the brain, and having the same old fear-driven rants show up. It gets to the point, where one wonders if anyone actually cares about knowledge anymore. Further, I can ask that folks actually discuss what I post. I know that many will not be kind enough to follow suit, but I have every right to ask.

This research added to our knowledge of how the brain works. It was not aimed at seeking new treatment for Williams Syndrome, much less anything else. It may lead to theories that may allow for studies regarding treatments, of course. I don't find that to be inherently bad, however. And I don't know any families with Williams kids who don't hope that such studies are done.

[havocmom]

13. Thanks for helping me sort our our respective freedom of speech issues

I respect you for recognizing that. And I mean no unkindness by widening the discussion. No issue, no subject stands without some connections to other areas.

That said, let me tell say I am also and advocate of, and interested in, expanding the knowledge of the human brain. I just tend to be aware that science does not operate in a vaccuum and should be watched to keep it honest (not all research is without bias or agenda) and to assure that knowledge gained does not become knowledge misused.

[gate of the sun]

14. I agree with your post

well thought out and an accurate synopsis of how I feel about "normal" behavior......especially in regards to bush's new initiative to test all children....very scary indeed.

[murielm99]

3. People with Williams Syndrome can have a variety of

learning problems, but many of them learn best through music.

[havocmom]

4. Not to deminish any hardships people with this may face...

but if they learn best through music, perhaps the worst failing is that too many believe there is only one way to teach.

[Ian David]

5. ??

[havocmom]

6. A lot of people pegged as having 'learning disabilities' respond well

when the approach to teaching is modified or changed completely. It is foolish to thing one size (or method) fits all. Good school teachers know this. Some teachers never figure it out. There is a difference between haveing 20 years experience and having the same year experienced 20 times.

[Ian David]

7. OK, got it. Thanks!

[HuckleB]

8. Information on Williams...

http://www.williamssyndrome.org/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?call=bv.View..ShowSection&rid=gnd.section.189

http://www.williams-syndrome.org/

http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdbdetail_abstract.html?disname=Williams%20Syndrome

http://nasw.org/finn/ws.html


Learning disabilities is a term with many meanings. Williams kids face a great deal more than most designated as "learning disabled." Further, they are generally not just slapped into a regular classroom for life, without individualized education planning.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. I first ran into a Williams Syndrome child about twenty years ago

when I was part of a singing group. One of the members was a special education teacher, and she invited us to come to her class to perform, along with the instrumentalists who were loosely associated with us.

Most of the kids were obviously retarded, but one girl seemed very bright and talkative, and she really responded to the music, breaking into quite a good Irish jig when the instrumentalists played a Celtic tune.

At the next rehearsal, the teacher showed us the thank you notes that the class had written. We all wanted to see the note written by the young dancer, and we were astonished to see that at the age of about ten, she drew like a three-year-old and had a great deal of trouble forming her letters.