September 6, 2019
Aquatic Neuropsychology
Chordata and Cnidaria: Cognitive Compadres
By Jennifer Leslie Reynolds PhD, Neuropsychological Evaluation and Therapeutic Center
of Austin.
Biophilic Design & Animal
Husbandry show effectiveness in
treating Alzheimer’s & Autism
symptoms.
Psychologists, Neuroscientists and behavioral researchers are
constantly examining ways in which we, as human beings, can
live happier, healthier and more enlightened existences. They
study pharmacological agents, behavioral interventions and
physical therapy activities that can be of benefit. Even more
specifically, they study ways to help individuals that are currently
in a state of suffering; either from a mental or physical cause.
There is a burgeoning body of research, both past and present,
that examines the cognitive issues and neurological effects of
neurocognitive memory loss and neurodegenerative disorders.
Recently, the research aperture has been narrowed down to a
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September 6, 2019
plethora
of
studies
examining
etiology,
prevention
and
interventions, for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and
Autism Spectrum Disorder. Due to the ever-increasing pandemic
rate of both, scientists are working more arduously than ever to
find answers. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative
disease that causes increasing impairment of the brain over time;
memory loss being the most prominent. Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD), on the other hand, is a neurodevelopmental
disorder that impairs the growth and development of the brain
and central nervous system. Autism Spectrum Disorders affect
Aquatic Therapy has also been
shown to improve mood, promote
mindfulness and decrease stress.
emotion, memory, learning ability, self-control and social skills;
all which unfold as a child develops and grows. Historically,
although research into prevention, treatment and counter
measurement of these disorders has provided positive results,
substantial and effective means of intervention and long-term
remediation is limited. These limitations have led scientists to
new ways of thinking; ways outside of the lab.
Aquatic therapy is an example of this new way of thinking and
has shown effectiveness in decreasing, and/or eliminating, a
myriad of the symptoms that Alzheimer and ASD individuals
suffer from.
Aquatic therapy roots much of its efficacy in Biophilic
architectural design. Biophilic design is an extension of the theory
of biophilia, which states that humans have an inherent need to
affiliate with nature in the modern built environment. Biophilic
design recognizes that our species has evolved for more than
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September 6, 2019
99% of its history in adaptive response to the natural world and
not to human created or artificial forces. Humans became
biologically encoded to associate with natural features and
processes. Rather than being vestigial – or relevant to a world
that no longer exists – this need is thought to remain instrumental
to people’s physical and mental health, fitness, and wellbeing.
Animal husbandry is the scientific control and management of a
branch of farming, especially of domestic animals; aquarists are
scientists that are engaged in the husbandry of marine life.
Recently, aquarists have become ever more involved in
examining the effects that aquariums have on children,
adolescents and adults. Stemming from Biophilia theory,
aquarists, alongside neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, and
behavioral scientists, have been conducting research that has
amassed a statistically significant body of findings that elucidates
the benefits of aquatic therapy for physical and mental wellbeing. Even more poignantly, research is proving that aquatic
therapy is greatly beneficial for Alzheimer and Autism Spectrum
Disorder symptom reduction and alleviation.
Studies focused on Alzheimer’s disease have had participants
watch the fish and coral in aquariums for varying lengths of time;
by way of psychometric assessment, biofeedback and brain
scans, researchers have found that after only five minutes, the
hippocampus (the memory center in the brain) was highly
activated in the subjects post aquarium viewing. Activation of the
hippocampus helps the information storage mechanisms in that
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September 6, 2019
cortical region multiply, thus ensuring that the brain retains the
ability to store new memories now, as well as while people age.
A vast number of other studies have found surprisingly quick
effects on symptom alleviation and behavior improvement in
children, adolescents and adults with Autism and Asperger
Syndrome. Again, after individuals on the spectrum were asked
to sit and watch fish swim and interact with the coral, brain scans
showed an immediate calming effect occurring in the brain;
namely activation of the amygdala. The amygdala is an almond
shape set of neurons located deep within the brain's medial
temporal lobe (MTL). The MTL is shown to play a key role in the
processing of emotions.
Even more fascinating is the effect that aquarium therapy has on
the prefrontal cortex region(s) of the brain; most specifically, the
immediate activation of the anterior cingulate cortex. The anterior
cingulate cortex (or ACC) has been implicated in several complex
cognitive functions such as empathy, impulse control, emotion
awareness and regulation and decision-making; all functions that
individuals on the spectrum have difficulties with. One of the
hallmark deficiencies in individuals on the spectrum, is that of
social interaction and personal awareness. The anterior
cingulate cortex is often referred to as the “theory of mind”
center. Theory of mind is the ability to attribute mental states —
beliefs, intents, desires, emotions, knowledge, etc. — to oneself,
and to others, and to understand that others have beliefs,
desires, intentions, and perspectives that are different from one's
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September 6, 2019
own. Studies have produced statistically significant results that
show an increase in personal awareness, initiation of social
interaction and improved communication skills in individuals on
the spectrum who have undergone aquatic therapy.
Another significant finding is the effects of aquatic therapy on
neural plasticity. Neural plasticity is the lifelong ability of the brain
to
reorganize
neuroscientists
as
a
define
result
of
experience.
neuroplasticity
as
Specifically,
functional
reorganization within neural tissue, mediated by changes in
neural circuitry. Learning is the by-product of neuroplasticity. It is
Aquatic Therapy has also been
shown to improve Neuroplasticity
and aid in learning.
experience dependent and behavioral training is key to
promoting brain reorganization.
The behavioral symptom manifestations of Autism Spectrum
Disorder begin to emerge in the first few years of life when brain
development is occurring at a rapid rate. Structural neurological
imaging studies in ASD consistently report early brain overgrowth
between 2 and 5 years of age. This atypical cortical growth
appears to be most evident in the frontal lobes; however, other
areas such as the cerebellum and limbic system (where the
amygdala is located) have been identified. In the frontal lobes,
abnormalities are associated with learning and problem solving,
executive
functions
and
social-emotional
responses.
Additionally, these abnormalities are thought to contribute to an
inability to interpret the emotional state of others, resulting in
difficulties with joint attention, social-emotional behaviors, and
communicative behaviors. Activities that engage individuals in
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September 6, 2019
techniques– such as mindfulness, or focusing their mind on a
particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and
awareness and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm
and stable state, can have profound effects on neural plasticity.
The importance of early, intensive, intervention for young
children with, or at risk for, ASD is well-documented. However,
achieving the recommended 25 hours per week of specialized
intervention in which the child is actively and productively
engaged in meaningful activities in their natural environment(s)
that the National Research Council suggests, can be challenging.
Federal regulations under Part C of the Individuals with
Disabilities
Education
Act
services
for
intervention
(neurodevelopmental)
(IDEA,
infants
disabilities
be
2004)
mandate
early
and
toddlers
with
provided
in
natural
environments to the maximum extent appropriate. An aquarium
is a proven treatment modality that can be placed in the natural
environment of individuals with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome
that follow IDEA regulations.
In
addition
to
treatment
for
neurocognitive
and
neurodevelopmental disorders, it has also been shown that
keeping fish improves mental health and helps to reduce anxiety.
Research carried out by Plymouth University discovered that just
watching fish in an aquarium led to noticeable reductions in
participant’s blood pressure and heart rate. Perhaps you’ve
noticed that most dentist and doctor’s surgeries and waiting
rooms have aquariums? This is not just for decorations; in fact,
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September 6, 2019
studies have proven that when aquariums are placed in waiting
rooms, the patient’s anxiety levels are reduced, and they are
more relaxed during surgery.
Having an aquarium in your environment, and caring for marine
life, is an example of animal husbandry, that utilizes Biophilic
theory, to provide genuine and effective therapy.
So, it would seem, that the Chordata (fish) and Cnidaria (coral)
of the world, are indeed, our cognitive compadres.
About the Author
Dr. Jennifer Reynolds is the CEO and Principal Neuropsychologist
at The Neuropsychological Evaluation and Therapeutic Center of
Austin. She is a published author in the field of neuropsychology
and specializes in assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum
Disorders.
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