Secrenase

Autistic Spectrum Disorder and the Amygdaloid Body

The Theory

The Human Brain has been compared to a sophisticated computer.

It is in fact, the most sophisticated computer ever developed - millions of times more powerful than Man has, as yet developed.

When you unpack a computer from its box, it works but will develop its full potential once it has been correctly programmed.  So too with the brain of a new-born infant.  From the moment a baby opens its eyes, the process of programming begins - and it never ends.

It is true to say that in fact, the programming process begins inside our Mother's womb - doesn't a warm bath make you sleepy? Don't rhythmic sounds make your eyes close?

All these mimic the environment inside the womb.  Every time we see, hear, taste, smell or touch anything we are 'updating' our software.

What does this have to do with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Sophisticated as it is, the brain is the sum of its parts; to work efficiently we need various hardware and certain items of software.  The human brain contains processors - exactly as a computer does, and these co-ordinate signals from higher centers in the brain and send them on to the so-called 'target' organs.  To speak you and I only have to think of the words we want to say - the rest is automatic.

We don't have to tell the larynx (voice box) how to make the sounds we want to say.  This part is controlled by processors and in the context of Autism one processor is crucial to these functions - a tiny piece of the brain situated in the mid-brain area - called the Amygdaloid Body.

What does the Amygdaloid Body have to do with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

This processor receives signals from the frontal lobes of the upper brain, or cortex.

The frontal lobes determine such functions as personality, behaviour, social integration and self awareness (a sense of who we are and where we fit into society).

You may recall that years ago, an operation called 'Pre-frontal Lobotomy' used to be carried out on severe schizophrenic personalities and others with socially disruptive behaviour?  Well the idea was that since their frontal lobes were causing the deviant behaviour, disconnecting it from the brain was the best way to stop these behavioural problems.  The operation was successful, the patient stopped exhibiting abnormal, socially unacceptable behaviour, however they were 'de-personalised' - they were devoid of almost all normal human emotions.

The same result occurs when the neural pathways are interrupted anywhere down the line - and in the context of Autism - 'down the line' is the Amygdaloid Body.

Recent research by the repligen Corporation www.repligen.com in the USA has confirmed this.

The 'Shut Down' of the Amygdaloid Body

Once the Amygdaloid Body 'shuts down' signals stop passing from the higher centers of the brain to the lower - speech is interrupted, behaviour is altered and the child appears to be 'cut-off' from the world around them.

Does this sound familiar?