Huberman Lab

Dr. Karen Parker: The Causes & Treatments for Autism

822 snips
Dec 11, 2023
Guest
Karen Parker
Dr. Karen Parker, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford and expert in social neuroscience, shares her insights on autism. She discusses the dramatic rise in autism diagnoses and the biological underpinnings behind it. Topics include the roles of bonding hormones like oxytocin and vasopressin in social behavior, the importance of early interventions, and emerging treatments. Parker also explores the potential of psychedelics as therapeutic options and emphasizes the critical need for accessible autism screening.
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INSIGHT

Autism Diagnosis Increase

  • Autism diagnoses are increasing, partially due to earlier and better detection.
  • Increased awareness and screening contribute, but the actual incidence has also risen to 1 in 36 U.S. children.
INSIGHT

Early Autism Interventions

  • Early behavioral interventions for autism exist.
  • Some "baby sibling" studies, those with an autistic sibling, enroll children in interventions even before an official diagnosis, due to higher heritability.
INSIGHT

Autistic Traits in STEM

  • Individuals in STEM fields show a higher prevalence of autistic traits, even without a diagnosis.
  • Autistic traits are measured using tools like the Social Responsiveness Scale and Autism Quotient.
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