E66: Old Timey New Medicine

Once again we are joined by Jami Fregeau, The Neurodivergent Nurse, and this week we are discussing a new study published by Standford University researchers where they managed to isolate specific genes related to, and potentially causing, Autism Spectrum Disorder. We discuss the unique features of human brain development (as opposed to ape or other lab animal brain development) and get into how the researchers were able to narrow things down and see brain cells reach out to each other LIVE in a petrie dish! Katie & Jami also discuss the prevalence of epilepsy in folks who also have ASD, including how partial lobectomy treatment can cure someone of their epilepsy and the ladies discuss how and why that can be a viable treatment. At one point, Katie also mentions her cousin, Henry - if you're interested in learning more about Henry's condition, you can go to www.forhenryAHC.org

 

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Sources: 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2023/10/05/autism-genes-brain-development/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06564-w