Many people are startled when they hear an unexpected thud.
Nevertheless, if they are subjected to the same sound for the second time, chances of getting startled are less significant.
When people are subjected to the same sound again, there is no reaction at all.
This ability of humans to adjust to their surroundings is known as acoustic habituation. A recent study has led to the identification of underlying mechanisms that are responsible for controlling these human capabilities.
The research is seen to be a breakthrough and is expected to open a plethora of opportunities in new treatments that could help individuals with schizophrenia and autism.
Further, the treatments are expected to help autistic individuals experiencing disruptions in their abilities.
Susanne Schmid, principal investigator, and associate professor helps one understand about acoustic habituation and says these are common forms of sensory filtrations.
The professor highlights the brain’s capability to block extraneous sounds.
The brain further helps humans to arouse feelings and process visual information that helps one to focus on the important things in the environment.
Disruptions in sensory processing have found their way to the DSM-V manual as a diagnostic marker for ASD disorders.
The research has used additional tools such as pharmacological tools and electrophysiology and has highlighted a significant potassium channel, especially the BK channels that exist in the central nervous system.
These potassium channels were seen to regulate drugs to either decrease or increase noticeable disruptions in the animal models.
Schmid says that these things help one to better understand what is not going right in people who do not habituate.
The highlights of the research could also end up helping us improve habituations by targeting varied mechanisms while improving sensory filtering, observes Schmid.
Schmid further adds that enhancing sensory filtering and habituations in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders can result in varied benefits, not only with hyposensitivity and hypersensitivity but also in cognitive functions.
I am Ash and I celebrate Neurodiversity! Growing up with an elder brother with severe Autism was tough – but it has also taught me essential life lessons. I don’t believe that people with Autism are necessarily or have any disorder (except in extreme cases). They are just different! And that is something to be proud of! I am passionate about helping other families who may have Autism conditions in their family. So please reach out and drop me a note. I will be glad to help 🙂
