An October 8
th NEW YORK TIMES “Profiles in
Science” piece on Michael Dickinson and fruit flies (
Drosophila
melanogaster) completely (technical term
alert) blew my mind. Although fruit flies, obviously, have very small brains,
the flexibility and mutability of their neurons result in a per-neuron superior
functionality than is found in humans. Because “the presence of different
chemicals called neuromodulators in the fly brain can change how a given group
of neurons acts at different times” (
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/08/science/focusing-on-fruit-flies-curiosity-takes-flight.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0),
fruit flies have an astounding capacity for (relatively speaking, of course)
adaptation and development.
I was inspired by this article to do a little research on
neuromodulators in humans and it turns out this is a pretty new concept in
neuroscience, one which looks very promising for human development in the long
term. Neuromodulators include
serotonin and dopamine, with which scientists have been experimenting for
decades with somewhat limited success; however, our knowledge of how neuromodulators
influence and transform brain activity is now expanding exponentially.
Dickinson’s work will contribute to this
understanding, as well as to our respect for the complexity and genius of the
lowly creatures he studies. The wonders of flying, he suggests, rest chiefly in
the brain. Just as the brain flexibility of fruit flies enables flight in an
ever-changing variety of circumstances, so might the relatively less-flexible
human brain be influenced to adapt and develop -- if we can more effectively identify and utilize
neuromodulatory mechanisms.
There’s a lot of talk about neuroplasticity around autism,
hinting at enhanced brain-healing capacity in spectrum-y brains, but I am encouraged by the potential for healing, among other things, brain traumas
(such as are found in attachment disorders and PTSD) as well. These
neurological differences – autism, attachment disorders and PTSD - are all
significant factors in our Full Spectrum household. (Please stay tuned for an
upcoming post on HEALING in a Full Spectrum!)
Apart from the NEW YORK TIMES’ “Science” section, just a
quick dabble shows the world of neuroscience is all abuzz (and awiggle) in
popular culture.
In VOGUE, Rebecca Johnson’s “New Frontier” (October 2013)
profiles the neuroscientist Cori Bargmann and her work with a tiny worm (the
nemotode C. elegans) that has 302
neurons (humans have 10 billion). Bargmann’s work sketches filaments of hope
for brain-science progress between increasing computer capacities, advances in
electrodes for the measurement of nerve cells, and improved
microfabrication…She sees psychiatric medicine as just one of the more promising subfields among the many in which neuroscientific developments will benefit humanity.
“Now,” Bargmann marvels in VOGUE, “we are not just watching
the flow of information [via neurons] but trying to change it.”
One part scary, one part breathtakingly hopeful, eh?
THE NEW YORKER recently published “Mindless: The new
neuro-skeptics,” by Adam Gopnik, about the mind-brain divisions and debunkings
posited in some circles (September 9, 2013). Gopnik likens the “brain” camp,
with its currently culturally dominant emphasis on neuroscience, to Mr. Spock
(now you know I love a good Star Trek reference, plus Spock was my
pretend-fiancé when I was little). The “mind” camp, which sometimes compares
neuroscience to the now thoroughly discredited early-nineteenth-century
“science” of phrenology (or mapping the mind through the shape of the skull),
he frames as akin to Captain Kirk. He points to the rich literature and inquiry
on both “teams” and concludes that both responsibility and possibility lie in
the whole package – mind-plus-brain (plus environment), all working together in
a way so “complex and contingent” as to boggle the, ahem, mind.
Complexity notwithstanding, evolution of many sorts is
ongoing, whether scientific, philosophical, even personal: “We learn and shape
our neurology as much as we inherit it,” says Gopnik. ”Our selves shape our
brains at least as much as our brains our selves.”
What he said.
More neuroscience-boom proof: the Nobel Prize in Physiology
or Medicine for 2013 went to some neuroscience dudes…And Obama recently
launched the BRAIN (Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative
Neurotechnologies) project, an unprecedented neuroscience initiative (in fact,
Cori Bargmann will co-chair this endeavor).
But then, working on the mind is nothing new.
From ancient philosophers to contemporary mystics, wise
people have always known it is possible to train (ideally) and re-train
(less-ideally, but more commonly) the mind. From Plato’s (and his student,
Aristotle’s) thoughts on ideal environments and habits for exercising the
virtues, to the Buddha’s writings on practices to calm and discipline the mind
and actions; from Confucius on good habits and self-discipline in harmony (the
Tao), to Teresa of Avila on practicing devotions of imagination and
contemplation; from Thomas Merton on spiritual disciplines as the way to
liberation,* to Starhawk on “psychological techniques and personal disciplines”
as tools for transformation;** and on and on (I’ve left so many out in the
interest of brevity!!)…all the great
traditions offer tools for behavioral, mental, emotional, and – sometimes –
spiritual development of the mind.
Now we are just beginning to enter this heretofore sci-fi
realm of attaining real knowledge about the brain itself. It’s exciting.
Disclaimer: Full Spectrum Mama loves her children and self just
as they are, and is NOT looking for a
“cure” for Asperger’s!!!! ***
But wouldn’t it be great to have the option of tweaking our own neurology in positive ways? Even
if we have no desire whatsoever to change, this knowledge itself will be
awe-inspiring: we have the potential to understand, if not emulate, what
Dickinson calls the “great success stories” borne of adaptable, flexible
(fruitfly) neurology.
Full Spectrum Mama is certainly gung ho about adding new
tools to our quests for health and healing, especially in terms of reducing
suffering. To wit, my neurology
has always been sensitive and prone to migraines, but with age and/or a major
concussion a few years back and/or something else (?) my migraines and PTSD
triggers have increased dramatically over the years. I’d try just about
anything – meditation to neuromodulation - to soothe these neurological
responses. Just – don’t you touch my Special Interests!
I guess that last is the key, though.
Bargmann bemoans
the “dismal state” of today’s psychiatric medicines, and the field of
neuromodulators remains in its infancy. All the beautiful possibilities
mentioned in these articles are still just ideas. Early on, would tweaking my
neurology result in unintended consequences such as losing my precious Special
Interests or other things about me that I treasure or see as integral to who I
am? Furthermore, the idea of such tools being used against our will or
unbeknownst to us is unsettling, at best. “Neuromodulism” (I just made that up)
could become “the new eugenics.” Ew.
With all these
caveats, I am still intrigued by the potential for human beings to develop and
adapt more effectively. Reducing certain kinds of obstacles to flourishing,
such as unwanted manifestations of mental illness, physiological trauma and
physical pain, will help us “fly” higher – and with more flexibility.
Now come on, Homo sapiens! If D. melanogaster can
do it, we can too!
Love,
Full Spectrum Mama
* Admittedly, Merton’s deeply entwined Catholicism and Zen Buddhism were somewhat controversial, but FSM always errs on the side of acceptance.
*** Speaking of Asperger’s: between you and me and the
fencepost, take a look at the picture of Dickinson and then read his words and
ask yourself who’s got Asperger’s all up in that article.
