Autism, Sensory Map & Serotonin

In this episode, we explore the critical role of serotonin in shaping sensory maps within the brain, a process vital for interpreting sensory input and navigating the world. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator synthesized from the aromatic amino acid tryptophan, influences brain development by fine-tuning sensory systems. It modulates neuronal growth, synaptic connections, and plasticity, which are essential for creating accurate sensory maps in regions like the somatosensory cortex, visual cortex, and auditory cortex. These maps serve as blueprints for processing touch, vision, and sound, with serotonin regulating the pruning of connections in the thalamus and cortex to ensure precise sensory wiring.

The episode also explores the broader biological implications of serotonin, emphasizing its role in both prenatal and postnatal development. Maternally derived serotonin, supplied via the placenta from the peripheral and enteric nervous systems, significantly influences fetal brain development, affecting proliferation, differentiation, and neuronal migration in sensory regions. Postnatally, serotonin continues to support sensory integration and mood regulation, working alongside oxytocin to facilitate bonding and stress buffering. We explore environmental factors, such as stress and modern lighting, on serotonin synthesis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates cortisol release.

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03:12, Sensory Map Introduction and Serotonin’s Role, The episode introduces sensory maps, neural blueprints that help the brain interpret sensory inputs like touch, vision, and sound,

04:30, Serotonin’s Developmental Impact, Serotonin fine-tunes sensory systems by modulating neuronal growth, synaptic connections, and plasticity, creating precise sensory maps in the somatosensory, visual, and auditory cortices,

06:04, Serotonin and Sensory Processing (Visual), Serotonin, sensory processing in the visual cortex

08:29, Critical Periods and Neuroplasticity, sensory neurons and connections, pruning

10:00, Brain Regions and Serotonin’s Mechanisms, Serotonin, axonal guidance, neurogenesis, and migration via microtubules, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glutamate and GABA

12:55, Serotonin and Sensory Processing (Somatosensory),

13:51, Serotonin and Sensory Processing (Auditory),

14:52, Stress and the HPA Axis, Cortisol, circadian rhythms and cortisol spikes, modern environments,

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20:38, Maternal Serotonin and Prenatal Influence; Postnatal Serotonin and Oxytocin; Tryptophan Metabolism and Neurodevelopment, placenta, fetal brain development, proliferation, differentiation, and neuronal migration, serotonin, oxytocin & bonding and stress buffering, TPH1 and TPH2, kynurenine pathway

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