My gift to self - Merry Christmas Everyone

World #Stroke Day! You and your #brain

While the next painting in my brain series will be on the brain and stroke, I wanted to use this post to help bring awareness to the topic.

Do you know what a stroke (aka "Brain attack") is?

It's when blood flow is cut off to any portion of the brain. The brain is a marvelous organ that can suffer great harm if it's not properly taken cared of. So...

How can one prevent a stroke?

Majority of strokes can be prevented! Consult your healthcare professional to determine what your risk factors may be. In addition, consider:

• Do you monitor your diet? Are you aware of how many fatty foods you may be consuming?
• Do you stay active? Exercise regularly to help keep the blood flowing?
• Are you a smoker? It can DOUBLE your risk of a stroke.
• Do you consume more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day? Strokes have been tied to alcohol consumption.
• When was the last time your blood pressure was measured? High blood pressure is a strong risk factor and should be regularly monitored.
• Do you know whether your heartbeat is normal or now? Work with your doctor if you have an irregular heartbeat.
• What's your cholesterol level? It should be checked by your doctor also. What is cholesterol? When checking your blood, it's a fatty substance that is not only made by the body but can also come in food. Clogged arteries can a side effect of high cholesterol.

Experiencing a stroke can have devastating results from being in a vegetative state or loosing mobility or the ability to speak.

I look forward to exploring more on this with you. In the meantime, here are a couple of links to help you learn more:

"Stroke Prevention" http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PREVENT
"Anatomy of the brain" http://www.uhnj.org/stroke/anatomy.htm
"Effects of a Stroke" http://www.ama-assn.org//ama/pub/physician-resources/patient-education-materials/atlas-of-human-body/brain-effects-stroke.page


Here's to YOUR brain health!
Michelle

Paint brush meets shadow. #art #painting #brain #sounds

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/f_edlosqG9/

The amygdala says good morning to you. #sciart #brain #chalk #painting #science Work in progress.

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/ezwZB-sqP-/

World Suicide Prevention Day - The #Brain and Serotonin #sciart

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.

[The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-TALK (8255) - a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.]

Whenever we hear of someone that took their life, we ask ourselves, what could make them do that? We try to understand what was going on in the victims heads from the context of our own, which is impossible. Our minds are unique and as such, the way people behave and how we engage with people should be treated as sensitive experiences.

Through advances in neuroscience, scientists are learning more about the brain of ones that take their lives. Below is a resulting drawings stemming from what I read.

 

In a transcript I read, in New York, many suicides are done by either hanging or jumping from heights. For the drawing, I chose to depict the act through hanging.[2]

In the brains of those studies, the chemical Serotonin draws the most attention. Serotonin is understood to regulate our moods, sleep, behavior and sexual desire.[1] Of brains studied, serotonin levels were off (suicide victims had 30% more) compared to the brains of those that died suddenly from either accidents or natural causes. There's more serotonin than there should be, they are also smaller and don't work right. In the drawing above, you notice that the letters spelling out serotonin go around the rope that's forming the noose.

Another key factor for suicidal brains is the workings of the Prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is shaded in the above drawing. This is where our decisions are processed. If this area is damaged or malfunctioning, rash decisions and impulses aren't reasoned out which could lead to someone going through with taking their life.

If you or someone you know are showing signs of distress, please get help:

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-TALK (8255) - a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Regards,
Michelle Hunter
Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a FREE handwritten postcard from me! Join my mailing list here:http://bit.ly/HunterArtList 
Contact me to commission a painting or drawing (info@hunterart.com / 646-504-5034) 
The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
Purchase prints to fit your space here: http://www.hunterart.imagekind.com 
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Sources:

1: "What is Serotonin?" http://health.yahoo.net/articles/depression/what-serotonin January 5, 2012
2: "NPR The End of Life: Biology of Suicide" http://www.npr.org/programs/death/980429.death.html April 29, 1998

In progress #drawing for World #Suicide Prevention Day #sciart #brain #art

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/eFy2vZsqPA/

#drawing in progress for the #brain and #suicide. #sciart World Suicide Prevention Day. #art #neuroscience

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/eFxqwYsqNF/

Class is in progress! #sciart #brain #painting recoil #sounds Painting in the style of #chalk on a #blackboard

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dRktWkMqLk/

Starting work on this #brain #painting #sciart. Topic is the brain and recoil sounds. I'll be painting of this in the style of chalk on a #blackboard. #science #neuroscience #art

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dOESCOsqMq/

I'm doing research on our #brain and auditory cortex for my next #sciart #painting.

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dLT8IhsqPi/

Scattering around pieces of blocks crashing into the #brain wall. #sciart #art #painting

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dAJYRyMqOu/

Scattering around pieces of blocks crashing into the #brain wall. #sciart #art #painting

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dAJMm5sqOW/

Pre-work #painting. Working on the crashing of bricks. #brain #sciart #neuroscience

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/c_dnmQsqEy/

I'm #brainstorming a sketch on the #brain and #loyalty. #sciart #soda

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/c-FWvMsqOI/

#sciart Working on inking in this #drawing on the #brain and its internal #gps, the #hippocampus! #science #neuroscience #art #newyork #brainart

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/ccMyShsqPz/

Early morning #brain #painting in progress. #sciart #neuroscience #science #art

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/cbc0IsMqO8/

Beginning to ink in my #brain and #autism #drawing. #sciart #neuroscience #science

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/cW1TYGMqHB/

Working on a #drawing on the #brain and #lying :) Honestly, I am. #science #sciart #neuroscience #art

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/cOmhxtMqIG/

OUCH! #Brainfreeze Can be a Real Pain | New #Painting

It's the middle of Summer folks. What do you consume to cool down? Ice cold water, ice cream, cold beer, gelato, etc.

Ever get that painful feeling by your forehead, lasting less than a minute, when you consume these treats too fast? Yes, brain freeze can be painful.

I represented that in my latest Brain Series painting with icicles going into ones forehead. The culprit, ice cream...chocolate ice cream with sprinkles arranged as an image of the brain.

This guy was craving the ice cream, took one big bite, then OUCH! The bite even took out the front part of the brain sprinkles.

[View some pictures of this painting in progress below]

There is a medical term for this phenomenon, sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, don't ask me to pronounce that.


What's going in my head?


Well brain freeze is triggered when something of an extreme temperature touches the roof of your mouth. So with something cold, your body's immediate reaction is to want to warm that area up.

In that effort of blood vessels dilating to warm things back up, it causes inflammation and triggers pain receptors which sends signals through the Trigeminal Nerve to the brain. The Trigeminal Nerve is in charge of the sensations we feel in the face and when doing motions like biting and chewing. The Trigeminal Nerve has branches that go to many parts of the face. Since it is a multipurpose (or multi-use) nerve, the brain mistakenly registers the pain as coming from the forehead instead of the roof of your mouth. Hence, your reaction to experiencing brain freeze which could be grabbing your forehead and wincing in pain.

How to I avoid brain freeze?

Take your time when eating cold things. In case you do get that brain freeze sensation, quick relief would be to warm the roof of your mouth with your tongue.

...now I'm craving ice cream. So I'll leave you with some in progress photos of the painting!

Regards,
Michelle Hunter
Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a FREE handwritten postcard from me! Join my mailing list here:http://bit.ly/HunterArtList 
Contact me to commission a painting or drawing (info@hunterart.com / 646-504-5034) 
The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
Purchase prints to fit your space here: http://www.hunterart.imagekind.com 
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hunterart 
Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artcoholic 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sources:
1: http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingsworkfaqs/f/how-brain-freeze-works.htm
2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigeminal_nerve

#brain #painting in progress at the home studio space #sciart #art

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/cDJM1psqGa/

Is Your #Brain Being #Honest?

When was the last time you told a lie (small or big)? While you may have had your reasons for doing so, your brain has to put effort in to produce that lie. 

To reflect the ease of being honest, in my brain drawing I simply have the brain, floating. Nothing is going on within it, no specific areas are highlighted or activated, it just is. This is our brain when we're being honest. It is what it is.

However, when telling a lie there are various parts of the brain that need to get to work. Also imagine the effort needed to sustain the lie! Details on that when I do an upcoming drawing on that. BTW, there is a National Tell a Lie Day held on April 4. I'll celebrate honesty over telling a lie any day though.

Regards,
Michelle Hunter
Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a FREE handwritten postcard from me! Join my mailing list here: http://bit.ly/HunterArtList 
Contact me to commission a painting or drawing (info@hunterart.com / 646-504-5034) 
The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
Purchase prints to fit your space here: http://www.hunterart.imagekind.com 
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hunterart 
Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artcoholic 
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Finished my #brain #freeze #painting!! Will unveil soon. #science #sciart #art #neuroscience

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/bm6UlPsqES/

#drawing, #drawing, #drawing :) #art #brain #sciart

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/betw9GsqAn/

Give your #brain a #hug for National Hug a Friend Day

Hi everyone,

I hope you consider your brain a friend of yours. If so, give it a big hug as my illustration below does.

 

Do you give your friends and/or family a hug when you see them? Well National Hug a Friend Day is an unofficial holiday held on April 26th to celebrate such embraces. In my research so far, I haven’t found out how Hug a Friend Day came in to existence but leave a comment below if you know or if I find something out, I’ll update this post.


The sense of touch can generate two reactions. One is experiencing the touch itself recognizing whether it is rough or smooth, cold, warm, slow, fast, bumpy, etc. The second aspect is the feeling we get from who is touching us. In other words, the feeling one would get from hugging a friend is different than when hugging a crush or someone you don’t like. Have you experienced that difference?


On the surface of our brain is an area known as the Somatosensory Cortex (colored in orange in the above illustration)[1]. Here, the brain maps to all parts of our body which is also visually referred to as a Homunculus[2]. The Somatosensory Cortex, located on the surface of our brain, not only gives us a physical assessment of what is going on (i.e. I feel my fingers touching smooth plastic keyboard keys) but also an emotional component.


There was a study done at the California Institute of Technology exploring the emotional component of touch[3]. Another layer is the feeling of (dis)comfort we feel when we are being touched. While it had been known that the Somatosensory Cortex assesses the physical, it also attaches meaning to the touch. In the study, self-identified heterosexual men were subject to a staff person caressing their leg. However, the men didn’t see who was actually touching their leg as they were in a fMRI machine where two videos were shown. One video was of an attractive woman shown to reach down to touch the male volunteer's leg and the other video was of a man who reached down to touch their leg. The Somatosensory Cortex became active when anticipating the touch.

Hope you won't be creeped out when I reach out to hug you!!!


Regards,


Michelle Hunter
Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a FREE handwritten postcard from me! Join my mailing list here: http://bit.ly/HunterArtList
Contact me to commission a painting or drawing (info@hunterart.com / 646-504-5034)
The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
Purchase prints to fit your space here: http://www.hunterart.imagekind.com
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hunterart
Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artcoholic
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Sources:
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatosensory_system
2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_homunculus
3: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120604155709.htm

Scientific American Image of the week!

Thank you Thank you Thank you to Scientific American contributors Glendon Mellow and Editor Bora Zivkovic for selecting my painting Past, Present, Future or Dreaming as "Image of the Week"!!!!! I'm so excited by the honor!

Check out this post on Scientific American here:
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/image-of-the-week/2013/07/02/rubiks-cube-of-the-mind/

Learn more about this particular painting through this blog post which includes in progress pictures:
http://hunterart.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-painting-which-image-matches-your.html  

Regards,

Michelle Hunter
Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a FREE handwritten postcard from me! Join my mailing list here: http://bit.ly/HunterArtList
Contact me to commission a painting or drawing (info@hunterart.com  / 646-504-5034)
The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
Purchase prints to fit your space here: http://www.hunterart.imagekind.com
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hunterart
Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artcoholic
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#Sketched in the arms for the #brain and #hugging #drawing #science #touch #art #workinprogress

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/bFhUWlsqJd/

I'm working on a #drawing about the #brain and #touch, specifically #hugging. #Hugs to you! #art #neuroscience #science

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/bFeMfasqEJ/

#cheese!!!! :) Working on the face in this #painting #art #brain #pain

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/ao6ME0MqCt/

DNA in our Brain BREAK When We Learn Something New!

I certainly didn't expect to discover that in my research!

DNA Day (International DNA Day or World DNA Day) is April 25th and was first commemorated in 2003 and organized by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). It was initially meant to recognize the work of those that published the first paper on the structure of DNA back in 1953 (James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin and colleagues).

First a little bit about the structure of DNA. 

DNA consists of two stands which are anti-parallel to each other which form a spiral formation linked by hydrogen bonds better known as a double-helix. (It's much more technical than that so if you are interested in learning more, start with this Wiki page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_helix).

So what's the interesting thing going on with the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) in our brains? 

Well apparently when we are learning something new, during the learning activity, the DNA in our brain experiences a double-strand break (DSB)... yes our DNA breaks! Yet, after the activity, the DNA re-bonds rather quickly within a 24-hour period. Whew.

Interestingly enough, for those with Alzheimer's or similar mental illness, the break either takes longer to heal or don't heal at all.

But this double-strand break is normal folks. It's a normal part of our brain activity. DSB occurs in various parts of our brain but it is more prevalent in our Dentate Gyrus (necessary for spatial memory-used when you're learning a new physical environment like if you moved to a new city). Our Dentate Gyrus resides deep within our Hippocampus.

Though my drawing focuses in on the Dentate Gyrus area, I included some notes on what we learn as we grow up. The learning of some of these things resides in other parts of our brain, but the same DSB happens there. So I highlighted one of these DSB but note, as mentioned above, DSB occurs in various areas of the brain when we're learning something. Things on the list that do involve spatial memory include learning to drive, ride a bike and swim.

Now go break some DNA stands and keep learning! :)

Feedback is always welcome.

Regards,

Michelle Hunter

Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Get a FREE handwritten postcard from me! Join my mailing list here: http://bit.ly/HunterArtList 
• Contact me to commission a painting or drawing (info@hunterart.com / 646-504-5034)
• The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
• Purchase prints to fit your space here: http://www.hunterart.imagekind.com
• Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hunterart
• Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artcoholic

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I'm gathering some notes on the #brain and #laughter as I read a couple articles on it. Of course this is for an upcoming brain #drawing :) #funny #neuroscience

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/aMe_JrMqLu/

Beginning the exploration if what happens to our #DNA in our Dentate Gyrus when we are #learning somethings new. #brain #neuroscience #drawing #art

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/aKHEOwMqBS/

Pictures of "Brain Rhythm" at Austin's Art.Science.Gallery #art #science #brain

Hello there,

Recently, my painting "Brain Rhythm" took its first trip outside of New York to travel to Austin Texas for Art.Science.Gallery's group show called "Join our Evolution".

Through the use of tons of bubble wrap, crumpled newspaper and lots of tape, the painting arrived there and back safely (thank goodness). Below are some pictures of the painting at the show.

It was a great experience and working with the Art.Science.Gallery team was a pleasure, they certainly put me at ease. I look forward to sharing more of my work with them in the future.

© Ian M. Wright

© Ian M. Wright

© Ian M. Wright

Read about the painting "Brain Rhythm" here (http://hunterart.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-brain-painting-brain-rhythm-24x24.html)

Special thank you to Hayley Gillespie, Ph.D. (owner / ecologist / artist | Art.Science.Gallery.) and her team for making the show a success and working closely with the participating artists so the works arrived there and back safely.

Regards,

Michelle Hunter

Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a FREE handwritten postcard from me! Join my mailing list here: http://bit.ly/HunterArtListContact me to commission a painting or drawing (info@hunterart.com / 646-504-5034)
The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
Purchase prints to fit your space here: http://www.hunterart.imagekind.com
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hunterart
Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artcoholic
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Happy Geek Pride Day!

via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/ZwKgP9sqDP/

Latest Painting: The #Brain and #Depression

Over a year in the making...I'm pleased to announce the completion of my latest brain painting titled "I Want"

I Want

20" x 24"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

While depression was already a topic in my Brain Series queue, starting it was sparked by the death of a good friend who suffered from depression. Finishing it took a good amount of will from me.

What Could I Do?
This experience for me was a shock and got me thinking. We all have ups and downs, yet why do some of us struggle with building ourselves back up during the downturns? Think about how many people you interact with on a regular basis where things seem like they are fine. Perhaps some people you know say that things will be fine and put on a brave face while they may be spiraling downward inside? How would you know that they are going through this internal battle when on the surface, things seem fine-when you probe and show concern but you aren't getting an honest response?

The Composition
The questions above led me to want to have a mask in the composition of the painting. The mask in the painting is of a smiling face while the person is instead feeling detached. Will the person put the mask on and put on an appearance that all is fine or will they or show/express how they really feel?

I wanted the scene to be a social setting and chose a restaurant where people are coming and going or having a meal or drink with the person they are with. Also the large windows show people going about their business, the world doesn't stop for anyone, life goes on.

I ended up painting someone outside the place looking into the restaurant. While I was working on the rest of the painting, I felt fine not painting a face on her. In the end, I chose to leave her without a face. Make of it what you will.

In the painting, I painted the brain as an MRI scan so you can see where the outline of the cortex is (it's the white outline and explained later in the "Research" section below). There are parts of the outline that are thinner than others which is what it could be like for someone suffering from, or likely to develop depression.




Research

My research on the topic lead me to a NY Times article on a study that looked into the family history of depression. Thinning of the cortex appeared to be a trait of those susceptible to developing depression. While there are numerous articles on the topic, this one shaped the angle I approached for the painting. I found it interesting that parents that are depressed could unknowingly pass along traits of the illness to their children. It's still to be determined whether it is passed via genetics or if it is just a byproduct of the children's environment or a combination of both.



Some In Progress Pictures

You're welcome to use any of the means below to let me know what you think. It's important to share and be honest if you are comfortable doing so.


Regards,
Michelle Hunter

Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a FREE handwritten postcard from me! Join my mailing list here: http://bit.ly/HunterArtList
Contact me to commission a painting or drawing (info@hunterart.com / 646-504-5034)
The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
Purchase prints to fit your space here: http://www.hunterart.imagekind.com
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hunterart
Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artcoholic
Follow on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hunterart
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#Brain Drawing for Foursquare Day!! Our Internal Navigation System

I couldn't help but feature our internal navigation system within our brain, the Hippocampus, on a compass for Foursquare Day. In honor of the app, I also changed the N or North placement on the compass to a Foursquare mayorship symbol, the crown.

Foursquare is useful in letting users know what's around them in terms of places of interest and what's trending. Of course it needs to know where we are to make an accurate list of places so our phone would need its GPS option turned on. Well our brains have an internal GPS as well, so to speak.

 

In the drawing, I have a transparent brain in the center of the compass. The brain is transparent so you can see where the Hippocampus resides. The compass has the usual navigation markers but I changed the North indicator to a Foursquare crown used for when someone gains mayorship of a location. The Hippocampus, in orange in the drawing is emitting signals and pointing towards the crown, or North.

Our Hippocampus is located in the Limbic System of our brain. The components of the Limbic System manage our emotions, memory and sexual arousal. For the purpose of this post, the focus is on our internal navigation system managed by our cool Hippocampus. The Hippocampus is the component in our brain most closely tied to long-term memory formation.

Did you know that there are cells within and around our Hippocampus that map out our place, head direction and grid? 

• When we learn of specific places, destinations or landmarks, our Place cells light up when we come across a place we recognize.
• We have our own internal compass run by our Head Direction cells. It tells us what direction we're facing. So, if you ever have a feeling that you're heading in the right or wrong direction, you may have your Head Direction cells to thank.
• How about when you're on the move either walking, running, biking or driving? Ever think about the distance you may have traveled? Our Grid cells help us to gauge that.

It's awesome how we have systems built within us that help us to get around. So, where will you be heading to today?

Regards,

Michelle Hunter

Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a FREE handwritten postcard from me! Join my mailing list here: http://bit.ly/HunterArtList
Contact me to commission a painting or drawing (info@hunterart.com / 646-504-5034)
The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
Purchase prints to fit your space here: http://www.hunterart.imagekind.com
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hunterart
Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artcoholic
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Source:

1. Wellcome Trust (2008, September 15). The 'Satellite Navigation' In Our Brains. http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2008/WTX050443.htm

#Brain Drawing for World #Autism Day

April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day.

In my research, I didn't realize that there were different types of autism. The variations are referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). The disease is 4x more likely to effect boys than girls. Scientists are continuing to explore the cause of the disease and treatments.

Autism is loosely described as faulty wiring in the brain. Experiences could include only being able to really experience one sense at a time, like smell or hearing, and it could at times be unbearable. Also there are communicative challenges that are verbal and nonverbal. Irritability or outbursts exhibited by a person with autism is an expression of their frustration with not being able to communicate effectively, if at all. Symptoms also include emotional detachment and repetitive behaviors. Those are only a few behaviors common for those with autism.

The below brain drawing is meant to visualize the inability to sync signals in the brain.

 

For the drawing, I represented that as a plug and an outlet. For the normal brain, the front and back parts of our brain work instantly and simultaneously together. So the plug would be properly positioned to go into the outlet-making a connection so that information could be transferred throughout the rest of the brain. 

However, the brain of someone with autism has faulty wiring which prohibits neurotransmitters, or messages, to be sent and processed through the brain. That is shown here in the drawing where from the front of the brain, the prongs of a plugs are not in the correction position to go into the outlet that is bringing messages from the back of the brain.

Also, there are particular areas of the brain that are effected by abnormalities compared to someone without autism:

• The long blue shape between the plug and outlet is the Corpus Callosum. This structure facilitates the communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. 
• Below the plug is the Amygdala. The amygdala affects social behavior and emotion.
• Beneath the brain is the Cerebellum. Abilities like balance, coordination and motor ability are controlled here.

Enjoy your day :)

Regards,
Michelle Hunter

Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a FREE handwritten postcard from me! Join my mailing list here: http://bit.ly/HunterArtList
Contact me to commission a painting or drawing (info@hunterart.com / 646-504-5034)
The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
Purchase prints to fit your space here: http://www.hunterart.imagekind.com
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hunterart
Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artcoholic
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Sources:

1. Hamilton, Jon, "What's Different About The Brains of People With Autism?" npr.org, June 4 2012

2. Watson, Stephanie, "Discovery Health "What is autism?"" www.health.howstuffworks.com