Papers by Elisabete Castelon Konkiewitz
Abstract
Background: In this paper we argue that recent unprecedented social changes arising from... more Abstract
Background: In this paper we argue that recent unprecedented social changes arising from social media and the internet represent powerful behavioral and environmental forces that are driving human evolutionary adaptive responses in a way that might reshape our brain and the way it perceives reality and interacts with it. These forces include decreases in physical activity, decreases in exposure to light and face-to-face social interactions, as well as diminished predictability in biological rhythms (i. e. the sleep cycle is no longer dictated by natural light exposure and season).
Summary: We discuss the roles of stress and of creativity and adaptability in Homo sapiens evolution and propose mechanisms for human adaptation to the new forces including epigenetic mechanisms, gene culture coevolution and novel mechanisms of evolution of the nervous system.
Key messages: We present the provocative idea that evolution under the strong selective pressures of today's society will ultimately enable Homo sapiens to thrive despite social, physical, circadian and cultural deprivation and possible neurological disease, and thus withstand the loss of factors that contribute to Homo sapiens survival of today. The new Homo sapiens would flourish under a lifestyle in which the current form would feel undervalued and replaceable.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Abstract: Nonclinical trials are important to validate the efficacy and safety of medicinal plant... more Abstract: Nonclinical trials are important to validate the efficacy and safety of medicinal plants. Scientific
toxicological studies with Piper vicosanum Yuncker have showed its safety; however, no studies
have indicated the analgesic or antiarthritic potential of the ethanolic extract of P. vicosanum leaves
(EEPV). The objective of the present work was to evaluate the antiarthritic and antinociceptive effects
of EEPV in experimental mouse models. The oral administration of EEPV (100, 300, and 700 mg/kg)
and dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) were performed in carrageenan-induced pleurisy, in formalin and
acetic-acid-induced nociception, and in zymosan-induced articular inflammation models in Swiss
mice. The EEPV (300 mg/kg) was tested in zymosan-articular inflammation, the complete Freund’s
adjuvant (CFA) inflammatory model, and in in situ intravitreal microscopy analysis of rolling and
adhesion events of leukocytes in the mesenteric microcirculation in mice. EEPV significantly inhibited:
(i) nociceptive response at phase 1 and 2, and also in the cold response in the formalin model;
(ii) abdominal contortion induced by acetic acid; (iii) mechanical hyperalgesia after 4 and 6 h, knee
edema after 6 h, and leukocyte migration in articular inflammation induced by zymosan. All doses
of EEPV reduced the leukocyte migration to the inflamed pleural cavity and knee edema 4 h after
the zymosan knee injection. The treatment with the EEPV significantly inhibited the CFA-induced
edema, mechanical and cold hyperalgesia, and NAG and MPO. The EEPV also significantly inhibited
carrageenan-induced leukocyte rolling and adhesion. The present study revealed, for the first time,
the antiarthritic and antinociceptive effects of the EEPV.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, 2017
Introduction: Camphor is a bicyclic monoterpene ketone (C10H16O), obtained by the camphor laurel’... more Introduction: Camphor is a bicyclic monoterpene ketone (C10H16O), obtained by the camphor laurel’s wood (Cinnamomum camphora)1,2. This plant of the family of Laureacea is native to eastern Asia and it has been popularized since ancient times due to its aromatic properties and medical uses1,2. Among its known therapeutic properties, it has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions, antisepsis and mild local analgesia, besides being used as an expectorant, repellent and antimicrobial substance1,2,3,4. Objectives: The present work has investigated the analgesic properties of the Camphor in the model of mechanical hyperalgesia induced by intrathecal injection of gp120 in mice. Material and Methods: Male Swiss mice were separated in two groups: a control group (n=7), which received sterile saline (0,9%), and a group (n=6) treated orally with Camphor (30mg/kg). One hour after, 5 ?l of gp120 was injected with the aid of a Hamilton’s micro-syringe (25 ?L) between the L5 and L6 vertebrae through intact skin. The animals were then housed individually in acrylic boxes for habituation. The evaluation of mechanical hyperalgesia was performed by the right hind paw withdraw threshold using an electronic von Frey apparatus (InSight®, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil), 2 and 3 hours after intrathecal administration of gp120. The maximum pressure tolerated by the animal was determined in grams, after the paw withdraw. Results: Heightened algesia was observed throughout the period in the control group, however, Camphor did not reduce pain sensitivity induced by gp120 at 2 and 3 hours after intrathecal injection. It is important to emphasize that the results did not reach statistical significance (p <0,05). Discussion and Conclusion: Oral treatment with Camphor did not demonstrate analgesic effects in the model of mechanical hyperalgesia induced by gp120 in mice. New studies, therefore, should be done.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Frontiers of neurology and neuroscience, 2018
In this essay, we propose an association between Franz Kafka's novel, The Trial, and phenomen... more In this essay, we propose an association between Franz Kafka's novel, The Trial, and phenomenological and neurobiological processes in schizophrenia. We begin by presenting a summary of the plot, pointing to some of its remarkable literary aspects. We next compare the mental processes of dissociation, disorientation and delusion as represented in the novel with phenomenological processes that take place in the prodromal states of schizophrenia. We discuss how such disorders of the self and disorders of thought, both crucial aspects of the schizophrenic experience, appear in The Trial and in other literary and private writings by Franz Kafka. We relate how these disorders may arise from the false attribution of salience and false associative learning caused by hyperactivity of dopaminergic function associated with chaotic firing of dopaminergic neurons. Finally, we show how Kafka leads not just the protagonist of The Trial, but even more the reader to experience a quasi-delusional state. We discuss the relationship between the perturbation of thought and disorientation of mind evoked by the novel in the reader and the need of our brains for empathy and predictability.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, Feb 9, 2016
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, Oct 8, 2015
Introduction: Stroke is defined by the World Health Organization as an episode of abrupt and quic... more Introduction: Stroke is defined by the World Health Organization as an episode of abrupt and quick start of vascular origin reflecting alterations in encephalic function. Its importance does the fact of being responsible for the largest amount of serious physical sequelae, mainly motor disability. Therefore it is important to invest in the development of therapies, such as the Virtual Reality. The goal was to establish the relationship between the use of the Nintendo Wii with neuroplasticity in assistance of motor recovery of a lesion caused by a stroke . Literature review: The neuroplasticity induced by playing games is the adaptation of the nervous tissue and can occur by inhibition or excitation of neuronal balance. There may be expansion of cortical sensory maps, transfer function from one region to another, intensification or reduction of synapse change in membrane excitability of the neuron and anatomic-physiological alterations: formation of new synapses, sprouting of new axons, increased activation and migration of endogenous neural stem cells and angiogenesis. The reorganization of the motor cortex has importance in plasticity of injured tissue. These areas of interpretation of the movements can be replaced by other adjacent tissue when there is no incapacitation of this tissue. However motor training can also induce physiological and structural adaptations in areas such as the basal ganglia, cerebellum and red nucleus. The mirror neuron system can also contribute to the rehabilitation, they are found in the prefrontal cortex and the inferior parietal lobule being responsible for motor commands which shoot the production of simple skilled movements and also when someone else watches person performing the same movement. Conclusion: The bibliographic review allows us to conclude that the use of Virtual Reality has positive results in the treatment of motor paralysis after a stroke. This therapy has based neuroplasticity and mirror neuron.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, Oct 8, 2015
Introduction: The clinical differentiation between the Minimally Conscious State (EMC) and the Ve... more Introduction: The clinical differentiation between the Minimally Conscious State (EMC) and the Vegetative State (VS) constitutes an important challenge faced by intensive care doctors, since this is crucial for decision making end of life, as patients have different prognoses. Literature Review: The action of the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS), arises in the brain stem and continues until the area of the cortex and is related to the level of consciousness1. The cortical activation depends of neurons on the top of the bridge and the midbrain, which receive information from main ascending pathways, that include intrinsic stimuli (proprioceptive and visceral) and extrinsic (taste, smell, sight, touch and hearing).The VS represents a state in which the patient presents return of excitation without consciousness signals. On the other hand, MCS patients are characterized by the presence of behaviors targeted by objectives (response to command, verbalizations, visual search). The medicine makes use of various devices in an attempt to obtain this distinction: neurobehavioral scales, such as the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR), Coma Recovery Scale Revised (CRS- R), Wessex Head Injury Matrix; electrophysiological methods such as the event-related potentials (ERP), the evoked potential (EP) and electroencephalogram (EEG); and positron emission tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG). Conclusion: Note that among all the methods presented, none is conclusive for the differentiation of patients with VS and MCS, since individuals at the same level of consciousness present with different clinical manifestations. The integration of various these methods improves more accurate diagnosis.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, Oct 8, 2015
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, Nov 24, 2015
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, Oct 11, 2015
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, Oct 8, 2015
Introduction: Within the Delusional Misidentification Syndrome (DMS) the Capgras syndrome and its... more Introduction: Within the Delusional Misidentification Syndrome (DMS) the Capgras syndrome and its variants show high prevalence. It is clinically characterized by the delusional belief that someone close , very well known, usually a close relative or a family member, has been replaced by an impostor with extreme physical appearance. Literature review: In Capgras syndrome are found morphological changes quite varied. In almost all cases there are bilateral cortical atrophy, predominantly in the right hemisphere, especially in the frontal, parietal and temporal. And some studies like Ramachandran et al. found the presence of enlargement of the ventricles, especially of the right ventricle. Ramachandran and Hirstein propose that the Capgras syndrome (CS) is given by the disconnect between the ventral visual processing pathways in the inferior temporal lobe and the limbic system, particularly the amygdala. In another words, the patient has the ability intact or even exaggerated to remember individual episodes, but cannot make a lasting connection, creating a common denominator between them1. CS may also be associated - occur by - with overactive dopaminergic. Josephs (2007) describes the case of two patients who developed CS immediately after methamphetamine abuse, suggesting that this syndrome may be related to dopamine dysregulation - the drug causes loss the dopamine transporter. It would also explain the high association with CS and dementia with Lewy bodies, in which there is loss of dopamine transporters at the expense of neuronal loss. Conclusion: The presence of changes in brain morphology and physiology for the emergence of the syndrome is undeniable, which explains the high prevalence of the disorder in degenerative diseases. Since its first description by Capgras and Reboul-Lachaux in 1923, many theories have been overturned, and now more studies are needed to confirm what happens in the brain to its appearance.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, Sep 28, 2015
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, 2012
A diferenciacao clinica entre o Estado Minimamente Consciente (EMC) e o Estado Vegetativo (EV) co... more A diferenciacao clinica entre o Estado Minimamente Consciente (EMC) e o Estado Vegetativo (EV) constitui-se em um importante desafio enfrentado pelas equipes medicas intensivistas, uma vez que esta e crucial para as tomadas de decisao de fim de vida, ja que estes dois grupos de pacientes apresentam diferentes prognosticos. A acao do Sistema Reticular Ativador Ascendente (SARA), surge no tronco cerebral e prossegue ate a area do cortex, e esta relacionada ao nivel de consciencia. A ativacao cortical depende dos neuronios da parte superior da ponte e do mesencefalo, os quais recebem informacoes da maioria das vias ascendentes, que contemplam estimulacoes intrinsecas (proprioceptivas e viscerais) e extrinsecas (paladar, olfato, visao, tato e audicao). O EV constitui um estado no qual o paciente apresenta retorno de excitacao, sem sinais de consciencia. Ja no EMC o paciente e caracterizado pela presenca de comportamentos direcionados por objetivos (resposta ao comando, verbalizacoes, busca visual). A medicina lanca mao de diversos aparatos diagnosticos na tentativa de obter essa diferenciacao, em que incluem: escalas neurocomportamentais, como a Escala de Coma de Glasgow (GCS), Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR), Escala de Recuperacao do Coma Revisada (CRS-R), Wessex Head Injury Matrix (WHIM), as quais viabilizam um diagnostico clinico-comportamental; metodos eletrofisiologicos, como o potencial relacionado a eventos (ERP), o potencial evocado (EP), o eletroencefalograma (EEG) e a estimulacao magnetica transcraniana (TMS) e metodos de imagem como a tomografia por emissao de positrons (PET), a ressonância magnetica nuclear funcional (fMRI) e a magnetoencefalografia (MEG). A integracao desses metodos busca um modo mais preciso para aprimoramento do diagnostico. Conclusao: Nota-se que dentre todos os metodos apresentados, nenhum e conclusivo para a diferenciacao dos pacientes em EV e EMC, uma vez que individuos em um mesmo nivel de consciencia apresentam-se com manifestacoes clinicas divergentes. Entao e necessario mais de um procedimento para obter um diagnostico mais preciso.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, Sep 28, 2015
Introduction : Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is related with neurological impairme... more Introduction : Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is related with neurological impairment that occurs even in the absence of great neuroinfection, suggesting that indirect mechanisms take part on CNS pathogenesis. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) may help in detecting neuronal dysfunction before it became irreversible and related to HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Literature Review : A current study found that brain MRS performed at 3T can detect reduced levels of Glx in the frontal white matter of patients with HAD compared to those without dementia. Worse performance on measures of executive function, measures of motor and psychomotor speed and attention and working memory were associated with lower Glu and Glx concentrations. A “Cho factor” when found on high levels across deep gray and white matter regions was associated with HIV-infected people. An “NAA factor” when decreased was associated to HAD. HIV subjects with cognitive deficits have shown reduced parietal gray matter GLU. This decrease may occur in consequence of reduced astrocytic reuptake of GLU, secondary excitotoxicity, and mitochondrial toxicity in response to antiretroviral treatments. Conclusion : The MRS might be useful in diagnose HAD previously, once it is able to detecting subtle changes on concentrations of substrates CNS at neurobiochemical level even when there aren't clinical symptoms. The early detection of HAD is important to provide ways to study treatments that can block or delay disease progress.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Simpósio Internacional de Neurociências da Grande Dourados, Oct 9, 2015
Introduction : Peripheral nerve injury can result in many changes, including associated cognitive... more Introduction : Peripheral nerve injury can result in many changes, including associated cognitive and emotional comorbidities like depression, motor dysfunction, plus mechanical, cold and thermic hypernociception.The potential of oral treatment of (R)-(+)-limoneneand ?-phellandreneto alleviate mechanical hypernociception, cold hypernociception and behavioral alterations induced in rats by SNI are analyzed in this work. Objectives: The present work has investigated the anti-allodynic and antidepressant activities of the (R)-(+)-limonene, and alpha-phellandrene in rats. Methods: Essential oil or control vehicle was administered orally to the animals, after the sciatic nerve injury (SNI). The groups were: the control group treated with vehicle; the SNI group that received phellandrene (10 mg/kg) and the SNI group that received limonene (10 mg/kg).Mechanical and cold sensitivities as well as forced swim behavior were analyzed at the 10th and 15th days after SNI proceduresin all animals. Results: Oral administration for up to 15 days of (R)-(+)-limonene (10 mg/kg), and ?-phellandrene (10 mg/kg) significantly inhibited SNI-induced mechanical allodynia and increased immobility in the forced swim test. On the 15th day of oral treatment, phellandrene, but not limonene, prevented the SNI-induced increase in sensitivity to a cold stimulus. Conclusion: Together, the results of the present work show that (R)-(+)-limonene (10 mg/kg) and alpha-phellandrene, exhibit antiallodynic effects against mechanical and cold stimuli and are anti-depressive in SNI rats. The present results may have clinical relevance and may open new possibilities for the development of new anti-allodynic and/or antidepressive drugs.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Ciências & Cognição, Apr 30, 2015
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Movement Disorders, Jul 1, 1999
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Neuroepidemiology, 2002
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Uploads
Papers by Elisabete Castelon Konkiewitz
Background: In this paper we argue that recent unprecedented social changes arising from social media and the internet represent powerful behavioral and environmental forces that are driving human evolutionary adaptive responses in a way that might reshape our brain and the way it perceives reality and interacts with it. These forces include decreases in physical activity, decreases in exposure to light and face-to-face social interactions, as well as diminished predictability in biological rhythms (i. e. the sleep cycle is no longer dictated by natural light exposure and season).
Summary: We discuss the roles of stress and of creativity and adaptability in Homo sapiens evolution and propose mechanisms for human adaptation to the new forces including epigenetic mechanisms, gene culture coevolution and novel mechanisms of evolution of the nervous system.
Key messages: We present the provocative idea that evolution under the strong selective pressures of today's society will ultimately enable Homo sapiens to thrive despite social, physical, circadian and cultural deprivation and possible neurological disease, and thus withstand the loss of factors that contribute to Homo sapiens survival of today. The new Homo sapiens would flourish under a lifestyle in which the current form would feel undervalued and replaceable.
toxicological studies with Piper vicosanum Yuncker have showed its safety; however, no studies
have indicated the analgesic or antiarthritic potential of the ethanolic extract of P. vicosanum leaves
(EEPV). The objective of the present work was to evaluate the antiarthritic and antinociceptive effects
of EEPV in experimental mouse models. The oral administration of EEPV (100, 300, and 700 mg/kg)
and dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) were performed in carrageenan-induced pleurisy, in formalin and
acetic-acid-induced nociception, and in zymosan-induced articular inflammation models in Swiss
mice. The EEPV (300 mg/kg) was tested in zymosan-articular inflammation, the complete Freund’s
adjuvant (CFA) inflammatory model, and in in situ intravitreal microscopy analysis of rolling and
adhesion events of leukocytes in the mesenteric microcirculation in mice. EEPV significantly inhibited:
(i) nociceptive response at phase 1 and 2, and also in the cold response in the formalin model;
(ii) abdominal contortion induced by acetic acid; (iii) mechanical hyperalgesia after 4 and 6 h, knee
edema after 6 h, and leukocyte migration in articular inflammation induced by zymosan. All doses
of EEPV reduced the leukocyte migration to the inflamed pleural cavity and knee edema 4 h after
the zymosan knee injection. The treatment with the EEPV significantly inhibited the CFA-induced
edema, mechanical and cold hyperalgesia, and NAG and MPO. The EEPV also significantly inhibited
carrageenan-induced leukocyte rolling and adhesion. The present study revealed, for the first time,
the antiarthritic and antinociceptive effects of the EEPV.
Background: In this paper we argue that recent unprecedented social changes arising from social media and the internet represent powerful behavioral and environmental forces that are driving human evolutionary adaptive responses in a way that might reshape our brain and the way it perceives reality and interacts with it. These forces include decreases in physical activity, decreases in exposure to light and face-to-face social interactions, as well as diminished predictability in biological rhythms (i. e. the sleep cycle is no longer dictated by natural light exposure and season).
Summary: We discuss the roles of stress and of creativity and adaptability in Homo sapiens evolution and propose mechanisms for human adaptation to the new forces including epigenetic mechanisms, gene culture coevolution and novel mechanisms of evolution of the nervous system.
Key messages: We present the provocative idea that evolution under the strong selective pressures of today's society will ultimately enable Homo sapiens to thrive despite social, physical, circadian and cultural deprivation and possible neurological disease, and thus withstand the loss of factors that contribute to Homo sapiens survival of today. The new Homo sapiens would flourish under a lifestyle in which the current form would feel undervalued and replaceable.
toxicological studies with Piper vicosanum Yuncker have showed its safety; however, no studies
have indicated the analgesic or antiarthritic potential of the ethanolic extract of P. vicosanum leaves
(EEPV). The objective of the present work was to evaluate the antiarthritic and antinociceptive effects
of EEPV in experimental mouse models. The oral administration of EEPV (100, 300, and 700 mg/kg)
and dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) were performed in carrageenan-induced pleurisy, in formalin and
acetic-acid-induced nociception, and in zymosan-induced articular inflammation models in Swiss
mice. The EEPV (300 mg/kg) was tested in zymosan-articular inflammation, the complete Freund’s
adjuvant (CFA) inflammatory model, and in in situ intravitreal microscopy analysis of rolling and
adhesion events of leukocytes in the mesenteric microcirculation in mice. EEPV significantly inhibited:
(i) nociceptive response at phase 1 and 2, and also in the cold response in the formalin model;
(ii) abdominal contortion induced by acetic acid; (iii) mechanical hyperalgesia after 4 and 6 h, knee
edema after 6 h, and leukocyte migration in articular inflammation induced by zymosan. All doses
of EEPV reduced the leukocyte migration to the inflamed pleural cavity and knee edema 4 h after
the zymosan knee injection. The treatment with the EEPV significantly inhibited the CFA-induced
edema, mechanical and cold hyperalgesia, and NAG and MPO. The EEPV also significantly inhibited
carrageenan-induced leukocyte rolling and adhesion. The present study revealed, for the first time,
the antiarthritic and antinociceptive effects of the EEPV.
A criatividade é analisada como fenômeno que resiste à nossa compreensão e enquadramento e que segue, como no exemplo das pessoas com o transtorno do espectro do autismo, diversos caminhos— erráticos e imprevisíveis. A sua relação com o adoecimento mental é discutida à luz de estudos recentes que sugerem que os mesmos traços psicológicos que, quando exacerbados, levam a quadros psiquiátricos, facilitam etapas cognitivas do processo criativo.
A arteterapia é abordada como forma complementar de tratamento que possibilita uma via única de expressão pessoal e libertação, pois se fundamenta em elementos íntimos da nossa essência. Também a apreciação estética é apresentada em seus aspectos universais, ou seja, em princípios de base neurobiológica e também em seus elementos culturalmente determinados. Assim, esse ensaio tenta desfazer a aparente discordância entre as visões neurobiológica e sociocultural do fazer estético e de sua apreciação, discorrendo sobre as interações dinâmicas e contínuas entre o arcabouço genético e as influências ambientais na construção do nosso cérebro, das nossas habilidades, valores, conhecimentos e emoções, incluindo a emoção estética.
A relevância deste tema não pode ser suficientemente enfatizada. Estudos mostram que o baixo desempenho escolar e as alterações de comportamento são origem de grande sofrimento psíquico e má qualidade de vida para a criança (STEVANATTO et al., 2003), fonte de conflitos intra-familiares (SUKHODOLSKY et al., 2005; SCHENKEL et al., 2008) e aumentam o risco de diversos problemas de saúde mental, sociais e até mesmo legais na vida futura (GAU et al., 2001; OSTRANDER et al., 2006; MANNUZZA et al., 2008; COLMAN et al., 2009).
Por outro lado, para a sociedade o baixo nível de escolarização e profissionalização da população é uma barreira ao seu desenvolvimento econômico, social e político.
Conclui-se assim que este é um tema que afeta e deve preocupar a todos, merecendo a união de esforços e recursos de diferentes estratos sociais e profissionais na busca de respostas e soluções.
Além da relevância justificada pela sua alta freqüência e dramáticas repercussões, este tema também representa um desafio pela complexidade da sua natureza. O aprendizado e o comportamento, a cognição e a emoção são funções dinâmicas que se acompanham e se influenciam reciprocamente, necessitando de abordagem conjunta. Esta, por sua vez, exige uma forma de trabalho ainda pouco praticada nos nossos dias: a transdisciplinaridade (PORTO e ALMEIDA, 2002).
O crescimento exponencial do saber em diferentes áreas levou a uma tendência justificada à superespecialização, uma vez que o domínio profissional de um determinado conteúdo teórico, método, instrumento, ou tecnologia exige uma formação cada vez mais longa e específica. Por outro lado, esta mesma tendência levou ao afunilamento e à fragmentação do conhecimento, o que representa um empecilho, por dificultar a transposição e a apropriação de saberes de uma área pela outra. A linguagem obviamente acompanhou esta direção com o surgimento de jargões e terminologias cada vez mais herméticas, criando-se, ao invés de pontes de comunicação, ilhas de difícil acesso.
A transdisciplinaridade propõe o caminho inverso, o que implica na formação de um novo perfil profissional, ou seja, de um pesquisador e/ou prestador de serviços que, por um lado, tenha uma formação específica, mas, por outro lado, também seja capaz de interagir e cooperar com profissionais de outras áreas, agregando, combinando e aplicando saberes adquiridos.
Os transtornos de aprendizado e comportamento desafiam a Neurociência a explicar as bases neurobiológicas da cognição e da emoção, necessitam de que a Psiquiatria, a Neurologia e a Psicologia aprimorem seus métodos diagnósticos e desenvolvam terapias com eficácia e segurança comprovadas cientificamente, mas também instigam a Educação a testar cientificamente os diferentes métodos de ensino e sua adequação para crianças com diversos perfis cognitivos e comportamentais. Os profissionais da Educação precisam estar capacitados a realizarem uma interpretação crítica das possibilidades e limitações da aplicação do conhecimento médico, psicológico e neurocientífico em sua área.
Este capítulo almeja contribuir, ainda que muito modestamente, para a construção de pontes de cooperação transdisciplinar, apresentando algumas considerações sobre o diagnóstico psiquiátrico na infância e na adolescência, com suas limitações e desafios e em seguida um breve recorte sobre novos modelos de compreensão da origem dos transtornos mentais, os quais propõem a integração entre os aspectos neurobiológicos, genéticos, psicológicos e sociais.
taking visual delight. The reader should skim this book freely, without method or rules, and simply enjoy the
unpretentous beauty of the pictures. We hope this will be a gentle and relaxing actvity, and that your mind
can rest and answers can emerge fuidly and intuitvely, with no intellectual interventon.
Second, this book tells through images the story of the artst Camila Falchi, who is on the Autsm
Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Her paintngs are evidence of the complexity of her internal world and its variety
of themes, intensity of feelings, daydreaming, fantasy and dreams. This complexity is precisely what compels
us to queston and rethink our perceptons of the autsm spectrum, the mind, and creatvity. That is why this
is, third, a book about the brain, about neuroscience and cogniton. Our goal is to disseminate knowledge on
autsm, its characteristcs and potentals, by means of the example of this artst.
Elisabete frst met Camila Falchi and became familiar with her paintngs in 2014 through her brother,
Marcelo Falchi Parra Carvalho Silva, who was one of Elisabete’s medical students at UFGD at the tme. Their
meetng resulted in two art exhibitons during the second and third meetngs of the Internatonal Grand
Dourados Neuroscience Symposium, in 2014 and 2015, respectvely. These exhibitons had a very positve
outcome, as they brought a new identty for Camila to light. Camila began identfying herself, and being seen
by others, as an artst. The exhibitons, at which Edward frst met Camila and viewed her art, revealed a talent
that was already evident. The outer layer of her former image, based only on her special needs, was partally
ruptured and gave way to a sparkle previously unknown.
This book could simply display Camila’s paintngs, with no portrayal of the autsm spectrum, as
their strength and beauty are enough to enchant the public and to convince people of their aesthetc value.
However, the autsm spectrum is discussed herein precisely because these paintngs, so vibrant and intense,
break stereotypes, reveal an unappreciated emotonal universe, and bring forth new directons to thoughts
and actons concerning autsm.
The book starts with a brief introducton to Camila Falchi, in Chapter 1, and remarks on her art, in
Chapter 2. Chapter 3 considers how the brain processes social informaton, a capacity that may present a challenge for persons on the spectrum. Chapter 4 comments on the autsm spectrum with up-to-date informaton
on its prevalence, manifestaton, diagnosis, and new cognitve models that explain it both in its defcit aspects
and in its specifc talents. We discuss perceptual, emotonal and atentonal aspects of autsm in terms of the
14
role of genetcs and autsm susceptbility genes and their contributons to the origins of ASD. We explore how
psychological and imaging studies of the social brain using the most modern techniques have revealed differences between neurotypicals (those not on the autsm spectrum) and ASD persons and how these studies
have provided new insights into the fundamentals of social interacton, such as how we develop concepts of
the relatonship between ourselves and others. We review what has been learned from clinical studies of how
the autstc brain is distnguished in its development, neurophysiology and psychology. Chapter 5 discusses
how a person on the autsm spectrum has partcular visual and auditory perceptons, his or her own interest
profle, intense focus, and lastng atenton abilites, which should not be considered only as weaknesses, but
in some instances may be strengths. Even verbal communicaton and emotonal understanding difcultes may
have a positve side if, when they cause isolaton, they provide freedoms that arise from independence from
social groups. We highlight paintng and music as means of personal expression that are partcularly atractve
for people on the spectrum and adapted to the autstc mind and thus ofer unusual opportunites. Art therapy and music therapy are then discussed as promising possibilites for complementng therapies based on
behavior adaptaton and modifcaton, such as psychotherapy, language-therapy, animal-assisted therapy and
sensory integraton therapy. We also discuss social challenges in adolescence. We go on to propose that the
concepts and means for evaluaton of intelligence and creatvity within the spectrum be revised to reveal how
these potentals of the autsm group have been consistently underestmated In this context, Neurodiversity
is an awareness movement that demands more partcipaton by people on the autsm spectrum in society
as well as their inclusion in schools and in the job market, and, above all, the applicaton of new concepts of
normalcy and mental health. In Chapter 6, we place Camila and her paintngs into a greater perspectve
based on what we have learned about the causes of autsm and based on our hopes for how persons
on the spectrum may be integrated into our educatonal system and into society. Finally, the book ends
in Chapter 7 with the testmony of Camila’s mother about her path of fght and achievement. It is without
doubt a story of love and courage