Solutions may be imminent for Autism and Schizophrenia

Studies have revealed that the genes that may cause Autism as well as Schizophrenia are found to be active only for a brief period of time. These researches were conducted on mice. It appears that the findings may lead to more clues as to how these disorders are caused. Those who conducted these researches focused on Subplate. Subplate is one of the brain's regions where development of the first nerve cells occurs. 

These studies were conducted at the King's College of the University of Oxford and also at the Imperial College of London. Researchers found that the genes that caused autism and schizophrenia were active only for a brief period when the brain development was in the early stages in that particular region called the Subplate region. 

In fact, the brain neurons that are formed in this region are responsible for the number of neural connections that may start crisscrossing the brain. These researchers are of the opinion that if they do further studies and find out how nerves develop and become a part of this network, they can be led to the problems in the growth that may cause afflictions like autism or schizophrenia. They tend to believe that the early disruptions to the foundation of the nerve structure may be the cause that triggers these flaws. According to them, it is the Subplate neurons that help in development of cerebral cortex and extra connectivity and if there are problems with them, it may lead to problems like autism, etc.

They began their study when the embryos of the mice were only 15 days old. They continued the research till the mice grew up. They found that these problems in their brains started very early when the first brain connections were formed. The genes that caused these disorders were active when the Subplate neurons formed and not later. This means that the foundation of these disorders is laid at an early stage when the brain neurons form after which the disease process continues.

Of course, it is too early to say that these findings may help in identifying and modifying the problems when the child is still in the womb of the mother. But, the fact is that this study has provided a new line of thinking that may ultimately provide the right solutions for treating problems like autism and schizophrenia. 

There Is More To Martial Arts Than Just Fighting

Many people have a wrong notion that if they teach martial arts to their kids, the kids may become aggressive or even violent. This is far from true. It is true that development of martial arts has been based on the fact that it is a combat weapon that may mainly be useful for the purpose of self-defense. But, you can derive a lot of health benefits also from them. You should make it a point to choose the right teacher. Especially, if you want your kid to learn martial arts, you should do your research carefully and choose the right teacher. Otherwise, the kid may become aggressive. But, the right teacher can transform a violent kid also into a calm child.

The fact of the matter is that martial arts do not encourage violence. This art of fighting alone teaches the students to empathize with the pains of the opponents.

If you want your kid to learn some kind of martial arts, you should begin the coaching only after the child attains the age of six. This is because only then, the child may have developed the neuro-muscular coordination. They can execute the required control only from this age. Cognitive ability will also be there only from this age and so, the kids can easily understand the instructions of the teacher.

In fact, all the combat forms are called martial arts. You have many varieties like Karate, Kung Fu, Judo and so on. You also have the Korean martial art form called Tae Kwan Do. The modern varieties like kick-boxing and the age-old Kalari Payittu of India are also there. So, you should choose the right form of martial art for your kid to learn. But, almost all these arts have become highly competition-oriented.

If you choose the right instructor, the teacher will coach your kids not only the competition-oriented techniques but self-defense techniques also. A right instructor will ensure to stick to the original form of the martial art. The instructor will teach the principles of the art first and then only, he will go to the techniques.

While choosing the instructor, you should check if the school and the instructors are recognized by the international forums or federations.

Since these arts are taught in a group, your kids will learn social skills also. At the same time, since they are mostly competition-oriented, kids will learn to exhibit their individual skills also. But, you should instill in the minds of your kids that learning is more important than winning in competitions.

Another great benefit is that your kids will learn to face crisis situations they may face in life. Their reflexes will also become sharp, their self-discipline may improve and their self-confidence may increase a lot.