scholarly journals „Nie popadajmy w przesadę z tą równością” – płeć mózgu, heteronorma i mistyka naukowości

Adeptus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludmiła Janion
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Right Wing ◽  
Significant Aspect ◽  
Popular Book ◽  
Scientific Justification ◽  
The Brain

„Let’s not be too eager about equality” – brain sex, heteronormativity, and the scientific mystiqueThe article analyses the role of brain sex in Polish public discourse of the last years. The authors of a popular book Brain Sex claim that differences between women and men stem from differences in the brain structure, and because of that they are universal and unchangeable; feminism is based on misrepresentation of science. This thesis was overtaken by right-wing journalists, as it gave scientific justification to conservative gender politics and contemplementarity – the gender ontology of the Catholic church. However, in the rightwing journalism a significant aspect of brain sex theory is silenced, namely, the claim that homo- and transsexuality result from disorders in brain development; they are unchangeable and should be accepted. Despite its conservative roots, brain sex was popularized in liberal media as well. The aura of science that accompanied this popular theory allowed to naturalize its anti-feminism and heteronormativity. This phenomenon is discussed on the basis of media activity of two Polish scientists who are popular both in right-wing and liberal media: Anna Grabowska and Jerzy Vetulani. Both present brain sex theory as objective, universally accepted truth, which is attacked in the name of the leftist ideology by ignorant activists who deny science. „Nie popadajmy w przesadę z tą równością” – płeć mózgu, heteronorma i mistyka naukowościArtykuł analizuje rolę płci mózgu w polskim dyskursie publicznym ostatnich lat. Autorzy niezwykle popularnej w Polsce książki Płeć mózgu twierdzą, że różnice między kobietami i mężczyznami wynikają z różnic w budowie mózgów, a przez to są uniwersalne i niezmienne, feminizm zaś jest oparty na fałszowaniu nauki. Teza ta została podchwycona przez prawicowych publicystów, ponieważ nadawała naukową legitymację konserwatywnej polityce płci oraz komplementaryzmowi – ontologii płci przyjętej przez Kościół katolicki. W prawicowym piśmiennictwie przemilcza się jednak istotny aspekt płci mózgu, mianowicie twierdzenie, że homo- i transseksualność wynikają z wad w rozwoju mózgu, są niezmienne i powinny być akceptowane. Mimo swoich konserwatywnych korzeni płeć mózgu była popularyzowana także w mediach liberalnych. Nimb naukowości, którym otaczany był popularny pogląd, pozwalał naturalizować związane z nim antyfeminizm i heteronormatywność. Zjawisko to omówione jest na podstawie działalności popularyzatorskiej dwojga naukowców, cieszących się popularnością zarówno w prawicowych, jak i liberalnych mediach: Anny Grabowskiej i Jerzego Vetulaniego. Oboje przedstawiali płeć mózgu jako obiektywną, powszechnie uznawaną naukową prawdę, z którą w imię lewicowej ideologii próbują walczyć nieakceptujący ustaleń nauki aktywiści.

scholarly journals Neurogenetics and Behaviour in Insects

1984 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. FISCHBACH ◽  
M. HEISENBERG
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Genetic Control ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Bilateral Symmetry ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
The Brain

The importance of the genome for behaviour has been amply demonstrated by the tools of population genetics. A deeper understanding of the relationship between genes and behaviour requires an investigation of how they influence brain development and neuronal function. This is the objective of neurogenetics. Rigid genetic control of brain structure in insects is indicated by bilateral symmetry and by the similarity of isogenic brains (in locust). In large parts of the brain (e.g. optic lobes) the role of developmental variability seems to be as limited as in nematodes, but at closer inspection, the growth of at least some brain structures (e.g. mushroom bodies) is influenced by experience, similar to the growth of some vertebrate systems. The role of individual genes for brain development and brain function is being studied in Drosophila melanogaster. Here, many single gene mutations affecting the brain and behaviour have been isolated. They either alter the development of neural circuits or modify cellular functions of neurones. Mutations of both categories are often remarkably specific (i.e. they influence only certain functional subsystems, leaving others unaffected). Therefore, functional subsystems are to some degree ontogenetic units under independent genetic control. Telling examples are sexual dimorphisms of behaviour and brain structure. The already peripheral separation of functional pathways in the brain seems to be partially due to the selective advantage of independent genetic modifiability of functions.

scholarly journals Dynamic N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation in brain and diseases

Epigenomics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M Shafik ◽  
Emily G Allen ◽  
Peng Jin
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Rna Modification ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Normal Brain Development

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a dynamic RNA modification that regulates various aspects of RNA metabolism and has been implicated in many biological processes and transitions. m6A is highly abundant in the brain; however, only recently has the role of m6A in brain development been a focus. The machinery that controls m6A is critically important for proper neurodevelopment, and the precise mechanisms by which m6A regulates these processes are starting to emerge. However, the role of m6A in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases still requires much elucidation. This review discusses and summarizes the current body of knowledge surrounding the function of the m6A modification in regulating normal brain development, neurodegenerative diseases and outlines possible future directions.

The Role of MRI Biomarkers and Their Interactions with Cognitive Status and APOE ε4 in Nondemented Elderly Subjects

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 270-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Liang ◽  
Zhenyu Yin ◽  
Renyuan Liu ◽  
Hui Zhao ◽  
Sichu Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Hippocampal Subfields ◽  
Apoe Ε4 ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
The Brain

Purpose: (1) To investigate atrophy patterns of hippocampal subfield volume and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-signature cortical thickness in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients; (2) to explore the association between the neuropsychological (NP) and the brain structure in the MCI and older normal cognition group; (3) to determine whether these associations were modified by the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 gene and cognitive status. Methods: The FreeSurfer software was used for automated segmentation of hippocampal subfields and AD-signature cortical thickness for 22 MCI patients and 23 cognitive normal controls (NC). The volume, cortical thickness, and the neuropsychological scale were compared with two-sample t tests. Linear regression models were used to determine the association between the NP and the brain structure. Results: Compared with the NC group, MCI patients showed a decreased volume of the left presubiculum, subiculum and right CA2_3 and CA4_DG (p < 0.05, FDR corrected). The volume of these regions was positively correlated with NP scores. Of note, these associations depended on the cognitive status but not on the APOE ε4 status. The left subiculum and presubiculum volume were positively correlated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores only in the MCI patients. Conclusion: Atrophy of the hippocampal subfields may be a powerful biomarker for MCI in the Chinese population.

scholarly journals Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Gut Microbiota, and Brain Development: Role of the Brain-Gut Axis

Neonatology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik J. Niemarkt ◽  
Tim G. De Meij ◽  
Christ-jan van Ganzewinkel ◽  
Nanne K.H. de Boer ◽  
Peter Andriessen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Necrotizing Enterocolitis ◽  
The Brain

scholarly journals Non-linear effects of socioeconomic status on brain development: associations between parental occupation, cortical thickness and language skills in childhood and adolescence

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Budhachandra Khundrakpam ◽  
Suparna Choudhury ◽  
Uku Vainik ◽  
Noor Al-Sharif ◽  
Neha Bhutani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Early Adolescence ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Parental Occupation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

AbstractStudies have pointed to the role of the brain in mediating the effects of the social environment of the developing child on life outcomes. Since brain development involves nonlinear trajectories, these effects of the child’s social context will likely have age-related differential associations with the brain. However, there is still a dearth of integrative research investigating the interplay between neurodevelopmental trajectories, social milieu and life outcomes. We set out to fill this gap, focusing specifically on the role of socioeconomic status, SES (indexed by parental occupation) on brain and cognitive development by analyzing MRI scans from 757 typically-developing subjects (age = 3-21 years). We observed nonlinear interaction of age and SES on cortical thickness, specifically a significant positive association between SES and thickness around 9-13 years at several cortical regions. Using a moderated mediation model, we observed that cortical thickness mediated the link between SES and language abilities, and this mediation was moderated by ‘age’ in a quadratic pattern, indicating a pronounced SES-effect during early adolescence. Our results, drawn from cross-sectional data, provide a basis for further longitudinal studies to test whether early adolescence may be a sensitive time window for the impact of SES on brain and cognitive development.

scholarly journals Gut–neuroimmune interactions: the unexpected role of the immune system in brain development

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Spichak ◽  
Timothy G. Dinan ◽  
John F. Cryan
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Neuronal Development ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
The Brain

How does the immune system impact brain development? The exciting and somewhat unexpected relationship between the immune system and the brain has become one of the most fascinating topics in neuroscience. Even though the immune system was initially implicated in resolving viral and bacterial threats, it is now becoming more evident that it also plays a role in processes in the brain, both under healthy and pathological conditions. This novel role of the immune system in brain health has been implicated in various psychopathologies where neurodevelopment, stress and mood are central. In particular, its role in healthy brain development is becoming more evident, and understanding neuroimmune communication is becoming crucial in treating neurodevelopmental and mood disorders in later life. In the brain, glia function as part of the innate immune system and are programmed to respond to pathogens and physical injury. They also play an important role in neuronal development and pruning. These cells communicate with and respond to chemical signals, such as cytokines and chemokines, which can then initiate or downregulate inflammatory responses. Finally, the trillions of microbes residing in the gut can also stimulate cytokine and chemokine responses in the periphery and play an important role in both immunity and brain development.

scholarly journals Role of Class III phosphoinositide 3-kinase in the brain development: possible involvement in specific learning disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaka Inaguma ◽  
Ayumi Matsumoto ◽  
Mariko Noda ◽  
Hidenori Tabata ◽  
Akihiko Maeda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Learning Disorders ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Specific Learning

scholarly journals Pubertal hormones and brain structure: Exploring the value of hair assays

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandita Vijayakumar ◽  
Elizabeth Shirtcliff ◽  
Michelle L Byrne ◽  
Kathryn L. Mills ◽  
Theresa W Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Structural Mri ◽  
Pubertal Stage ◽  
Prefrontal Cortical ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Hormonal Exposure

Neuroimaging research has highlighted the role of puberty in structural brain development in humans, but studies investigating the mechanistic role of hormones in this association have produced inconsistent findings. Limitations of current approaches to hormonal assessments have long been recognized, as basal hormone levels are susceptible to momentary influences (in particular, circadian rhythmicity and menstrual cyclicity). However, emerging research suggests that a novel method of assaying pubertal hormone concentrations in hair may overcome some of these issues by capturing hormonal exposure across a longer period of time. This study is the first to compare associations between hormone concentrations measured via hair and saliva with brain structure in a sample of early adolescent females (N = 112, 10-13 years of age). Estradiol, testosterone, and DHEA concentrations were assayed from i) 5cm hair samples collected proximal to the scalp, reflecting approximately 5 months of hormonal exposure, and ii) repeated weekly saliva samples collected over the course of one month. Participants also underwent structural MRI scans, and estimates of cortical thickness and subcortical volume were obtained. Findings revealed that pubertal hormones in saliva samples exhibited strongest associations with parieto-occipital cortices. Comparatively, hair hormone concentrations exhibited stronger negative associations with cingulate and lateral prefrontal cortical thickness, which may reflect unique developmental processes that occur across longer periods of hormonal exposure. However, controlling for pubertal stage removed much of the cortical associations with hormones in saliva, and resulted in minimal change in cortical associations with hormones in hair. Thus hormone concentrations in hair may reflect biological processes not captured by self-reported pubertal stage that influence brain development. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of these potentially unique neurodevelopmental processes captured by saliva and hair hormone concentrations.

scholarly journals Embryonic Brain’s Spontaneous Activity Promote Synesthesia?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Shashi Kiran Reddy ◽  
Georg Northoff
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Spontaneous Activity ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Neural Connectivity ◽  
Neural Pathway ◽  
Sensory Maps ◽  
The Brain

Antón-Bolaños et al. (2019) report a newly identified neural pathway mechanism, where the patterned spontaneous activity regulates the excitability of a neural network essential for the formation and maintenance of functional sensory maps in the brain. Findings from the study suggest that the patterned spontaneous activity prevalent during the embryonic development of the brain; at the early stages of innervation to the cortex, contributes to the formation of these sensory maps. Synesthesia is a neural phenomenon caused by the unusual links between sensory information, where synesthetic subjects demonstrate atypical functional and neural connectivity caused by the differences in cortical wiring during brain development. So, based on the findings from Antón-Bolaños et al. (2019), one can anticipate the role of spontaneous activity in promoting synesthetic condition. Thus, it will be interesting to study, if the intrinsic spontaneous activity influences the differential cortical wiring and the formation of sensory maps in synesthesia.

Isolation of Anatomical Brain Mutants of Drosophila by Histological Means

1979 ◽  
Vol 34 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 143-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Heisenberg ◽  
K. Böhl
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Brain Research ◽  
Genetic Variations ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Screening Experiments ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Brain Shape

Abstract Due to its small size Drosophila melanogaster can conveniently be used in screening experiments for anatomical brain mutants. A simple method has been designed which allows to process up to 20 identifiable flies as a single preparation in a standard histology routine. Anatomical brain mutants are very frequent. Over 60 mutants were obtained from the inspection of about 3000 brains. So far genetic variations of brain structure fall into 4 classes: (1) “low fidelity” mutants in which brains are less precisely built; (2) “brain shape” mutants with globally or partially reduced brains; (3) “architectonic” mutants which show constructional defects mainly in the repetitive structures of the brain and (4) “vacuolar” mutants with globular “holes” in certain areas of the brain. These mutant classes obviously reflect different aspects of brain development like cell pro­liferation (2), “wiring” (3) and cell death (4). Some of the mutants may prove to be useful in anatomical, physiological or genetic brain research.

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