Holding a mirror to brain changes in autism

Impaired social function is a cardinal symptom of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). One of the brain circuits that enable us to relate to other people is the "mirror neuron" system. This brain circuit is activated when we watch other people, and allows our brains to represent the actions of others, influencing our ability to learn new tasks and to understand the intentions and experiences of other people.

This mirror neuron system is impaired in individuals with ASD and better understanding the neurobiology of this system could help in the development of new treatments.

In their new study, Dr. Peter Enticott at Monash University and his colleagues used transcranial magnetic stimulation to stimulate the brains of individuals with ASD and healthy individuals while they observed different hand gestures. This allowed the researchers to measure the activity of each individual's mirror neuron system with millisecond precision in response to each observed action.

They found that the individuals with ASD showed a blunted brain response to stimulation of the motor cortex when viewing a transitive hand gesture. In other words, the mirror neuron system in the ASD individuals became less activated when watching the gestures, compared to the healthy group. In addition, among people with ASD, less mirror neuron activity was associated with greater social impairments. This finding adds to the evidence that deficits in mirror neuron system functioning contribute to the social deficits in ASD.

This finding also directly links a specific type of brain dysfunction in people with autism spectrum disorder to a specific symptom. This is important because "we do not have a substantial understanding of the brain basis of autism spectrum disorder, or a validated biomedical treatment for the disorder," said Dr. Enticott. "If we can develop a substantial understanding of the biology of specific symptoms, this will allow us to develop treatments targeted specifically to the symptoms."

"This study is an example of the effort to break down the component problems associated with autism spectrum disorder and to map these problems on to particular brain circuits," commented Dr. John Krystal, editor of Biological Psychiatry.

Enticott added, "We are currently investigating whether non-invasive brain stimulation can be used to improve mirror neuron activity in autism spectrum disorder, which would have substantial potential therapeutic implications."

More information: The article is "Mirror Neuron Activity Associated with Social Impairments but not Age in Autism Spectrum Disorder" by Peter G. Enticott, Hayley A. Kennedy, Nicole J. Rinehart, Bruce J. Tonge, John L. Bradshaw, John R. Taffe, Zafiris J. Daskalakis, and Paul B. Fitzgerald (doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.09.001). The article appears in Biological Psychiatry, Volume 71, Issue 5 (March 1, 2012)

Provided by Elsevier

"Holding a mirror to brain changes in autism." March 2nd, 2012. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-mirror-brain-autism.html

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Robert Karl Stonjek

Printing Muscle

Organovo's 3-D printer creates human tissues that could help speed drug discovery.

Credit: Frank Rogozienski/Wonderful Machine

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In a small clean room tucked into the back of San Diego–based startup Organovo, Chirag Khatiwala is building a thin layer of human skeletal muscle. He inserts a cartridge of specially prepared muscle cells into a 3-D printer, which then deposits them in uniform, closely spaced lines in a petri dish. This arrangement allows the cells to grow and interact until they form working muscle tissue that is nearly indistinguishable from something removed from a human subject.

The technology could fill a critical need. Many potential drugs that seem promising when tested in cell cultures or animals fail in clinical trials because cultures and animals are very different from human tissue. Because Organovo's product is so similar to human tissue, it could help researchers identify drugs that will fail long before they reach clinical trials, potentially saving drug companies billions of dollars. So far, Organovo has built tissue of several types, including cardiac muscle, lung, and blood vessels.

Unlike some experimental approaches that have used ink-jet printers to deposit cells, Organovo's technology enables cells to interact with each other much the way they do in the body. They are packed tightly together and incubated, prompting them to adhere to each other and trade chemical signals. When they're printed, the cells are kept bunched together in a paste that helps them grow, migrate, and align themselves properly. ­Muscle cells, for example, orient themselves in the same direction to create tissue that can contract.

So far, Organovo has made only small pieces of tissue, but its ultimate goal is to use its 3-D printer to make complete organs for transplants. Because the organs would be printed from a patient's own cells, there would be less danger of rejection.

Organovo plans to fund its organ-­printing research with revenue from printing tissues to aid in drug development. The company is undertaking experiments to prove that its technology can help researchers detect drug toxicity earlier than is possible with other tests, and it is setting up partnerships with major companies, starting with the drug giant Pfizer.

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Researchers discovers compound in broccoli prevents cancer

 by Biomechanism 

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Researchers in the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University have discovered yet another reason why the “sulforaphane”compound in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables is so good for you – it provides not just one, but two ways to prevent cancer through the complex mechanism of epigenetics. 

Epigenetics, an increasing focus of research around the world, refers not just to our genetic code, but also to the way that diet, toxins and other forces can change which genes get activated, or “expressed.” This can play a powerful role in everything from cancer to heart disease and other health issues.

Sulforaphane was identified years ago as one of the most critical compounds that provide much of the health benefits in cruciferous vegetables, and scientists also knew that a mechanism involved was histone deacetylases, or HDACs. This family of enzymes can interfere with the normal function of genes that suppress tumors. Continue reading below…

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HDAC inhibitors, such as sulforaphane, can help restore proper balance and prevent the development of cancer. This is one of the most promising areas of much cancer research. But the new OSU studies have found a second epigenetic mechanism, DNA methylation, which plays a similar role.

“It appears that DNA methylation and HDAC inhibition, both of which can be influenced by sulforaphane, work in concert with each other to maintain proper cell function,” said Emily Ho, an associate professor in the Linus Pauling Institute and the OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences. “They sort of work as partners and talk to each other.”

This one-two punch, Ho said, is important to cell function and the control of cell division – which, when disrupted, is a hallmark of cancer.

“Cancer is very complex and it’s usually not just one thing that has gone wrong,” Ho said. “It’s increasingly clear that sulforaphane is a real multi-tasker. The more we find out about it, the more benefits it appears to have.”

DNA methylation, Ho said, is a normal process of turning off genes, and it helps control what DNA material gets read as part of genetic communication within cells. In cancer that process gets mixed up. And of considerable interest to researchers is that these same disrupted processes appear to play a role in other neurodegenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease, immune function, neurodegenerative disease and even aging.

The influence of sulforaphane on DNA methylation was explored by examining methylation of the gene cyclinD2.

This research, which was published in the journal Clinical Epigenetics, primarily studied the effect on prostate cancer cells. But the same processes are probably relevant to many other cancers as well, researchers said, including colon and breast cancer.

“With these processes, the key is balance,” Ho said. “DNA methylation is a natural process, and when properly controlled is helpful. But when the balance gets mixed up it can cause havoc, and that’s where some of these critical nutrients are involved. They help restore the balance.”

Sulforaphane is particularly abundant in broccoli, but also found in other cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and kale. Both laboratory and clinical studies have shown that higher intake of cruciferous vegetables can aid in cancer prevention.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the OSU Environmental Health Sciences Center.

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Courtesy Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University

SEVEN CAREERS WITH HIGHER SALARIES THAN LAWYERS

Think being a lawyer, doctor or similar professional is the only way to make a large income? Think again. These not so obvious careers also rake in large salaries, even more than lawyers!

MSN Careers shares…

1. Computer and information-technology systems manager: Plan, direct or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis and computer programming.
Median salary: $115,780
Median hourly wage: $55.67

2. Petroleum engineer: Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
Median salary: $114,080
Median hourly wage: $54.85

3. Dentist: Examine, diagnose and treat diseases, injuries and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp and other dental tissues affecting oral health and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
Median salary: $141,040
Median hourly wage: $67.81

4. Anesthesiologist: Physicians who administer anesthetics before, during or after surgery or other medical procedures.
Median salary: greater than $166,400
Median hourly wage: greater than $80.00

5. Chief executive: Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private- and public-sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct or coordinate operations at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
Median salary: $165,080
Median hourly wage: $79.37

6. Natural sciences manager: Plan, direct or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and statistics, or research and development in these fields.
Median salary: $116,020
Median hourly wage: $55.78

7. Architectural and engineering manager: Plan, direct or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering, or research and development in these fields.
Median salary: $119,260
Median hourly wage: $57.34

Get the entire story at MSN Careers!

 

THE BEST JOB FOR YOUR PERSONALITY

4 jobs for your personality type

By Justin Thompson, CareerBuilder Writer

There will always be people — like your parents — who will want to weigh in on your career choices. When they say, “You should do this …,” “You’re so suited for …” or “Why don’t you do something with …,” what they are really saying is that your personality may be better suited for one career path over another.

BING: Discover your job personality

Sociologist John Holland developed a system of six unique personality types that helps individuals assess themselves and find jobs that match their personality. In “150 Best Jobs for a Secure Future,” Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., takes Holland’s personality data and marries it with data he compiled from sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to determine which jobs are best suited for each personality type.

Here are the personality types highlighted and the top four suggested jobs, with annual salary, in each category:

Realistic: usually involves work that is more practical, with hands-on problems and solutions. Typically, these jobs are less paperwork-heavy and more independent, and many require working outdoors.
1. Electronics engineers: $92,460
2. Surgical technologists: $39,876
3. Security guards: $46,070
4. Motorboat mechanics and service technicians: $35,420

Investigative: jobs that are more idea- and abstract-thinking based. Usually they are more research-focused and require mental aptitude at problem solving.
1. Biological scientists: $70,330
2. Industrial engineering technicians: $53,250
3. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists: $64,407
4. Physicists: $152,545

Artistic: occupations that work more with forms, designs and patterns, typically requiring more self-expression and not a lot of rules. Instinct is crucial.
1. Graphic designers: $50,640
2. Technical writers: $66,860
3. Interpreters and translators: $39,402
4. Writers and authors: $70,020

Social: positions that require greater interaction with people, often in roles where teaching or training is involved.
1. Compliance officers: $57,895
2. Training and development specialists: $56,120
3. Computer systems analysts: $77,742
4. Teachers (postsecondary): $64,086

Enterprising: occupations filled by those with strong leadership skills and by risk-takers who can start up and carry out a plan; can be more  business-based.
1. Customer service representatives: $30,532
2. Human resources manager: $95,254
3. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers: $48,437
4. Detectives and criminal investigators: $68,630

Continue reading this article at Msn.CareerBuilder.com after the break!

 

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