cross-posted from: https://literature.cafe/post/10359040
Scientists Pinpoint Main Cause of Sensory Hypersensitivity in Autism
This study has identified the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as a key area in the brain responsible for sensory hypersensitivity in autism spectrum disorders. Utilizing a mouse model with a Grin2b gene mutation, heightened neural activity and connectivity in the ACC was observed. Suppressing this hyperactivity normalized the sensory hypersensitivity, offering new insights into treatment options
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-024-02572-y (open access)
Where does that headline phrasing come from? The study does not, and does not claim to, pinpoint anything for autism.
They use mice bred for hypersensitivity, and look at which parts of those mice’s brains can be suppressed to reduce measured sensitivity to heated floors and electric shock.
They use “mice models of autism” to get an indication of where to maybe start looking on the slim chance it turns out to be similar in humans.
The mouse model may turn out to be a different kind of hypersensitivity altogether. Human brains may wire hypersensitivity very differently. The observed results may be that the mice’s reactions are different instead of weaker. Etc…
It is valid science, but a long shot away from a long shot at being applicable for autism in humans.
C’mon now! Don’t you get it? Instead of society making the effort to learn about and accommodate for the needs of autistic people, they’re spending a ton of money on research, and the results of this study mean they might be able to FIX US!
To be fair I wouldn’t mind a way to lessen my sensory issues, some of them I can accommodate, some others are really annoying.
This basically, as in my case, my sensory issues make it hard to do many fairly basic things, and causes lots of discomfort that otherwise wouldn’t bother me if not for the sensitivity.
“Fixing” is very different from “reducing the issues for the person with the sensitivity, making life relatively easier to handle”.
