We propose that a number of deficits in autism such as sociability, attention, multi-tasking and repetitive behaviours, should be re-interpreted in the light of a hyper-functional prefrontal cortex.

[T]his review presents evidence for the mitochondria being central to ASD by contributing to abnormalities in brain development, cognition, and comorbidities such as immune and gastrointestinal dysfunction as well as neurodevelopmental regression.

A recent study published in Behavioral Neuroscience offers new insights into the relationship between brain structure and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The study found that smaller volumes in specific regions of the hippocampus, a brain structure involved in memory and learning, are associated with reduced PTSD symptom severity over time.

This counterintuitive finding suggests a complex relationship between hippocampal structure and PTSD symptoms, particularly in how these brain regions may influence symptom improvement.

“Lonely people process the world idiosyncratically, which may contribute to the reduced sense of being understood that often accompanies loneliness,” the researchers said in the study. “

In other words, we found that nonlonely individuals were very similar to each other in their neural responses, whereas lonely individuals were remarkably dissimilar to each other and to their nonlonely peers.”

Cacioppo says it’s not uncommon for people to mask in the company of others when they don’t feel a sense of connection.

“Masking is totally understandable from a neuroscientific perspective,” she says. “The best solution is to stay authentic.

Authenticity is the key to connectivity. Building connections with people while staying true to yourself can be a buffer against loneliness.”

FOREWORD

For too long the criminal justice system has been ignoring a glaring and inconvenient truth.

A significant proportion of service users are neurodiverse.

In far greater numbers than the general public, people inside the criminal justice system live with autism, ADHD, speech/communication disorders, intellectual disabilities, learning disorders, neurogenetic disorders like Down Syndrome, traumatic brain injuries…

it’s a broad church.