How the Vertebrate Brain Regulates Behavior – Direct from the Lab

Having followed Donald Pfaff’s work over the years, I read his newest book with great interest. This book is a valuable contribution for understanding the development of neuroscience as a scientifically important field.I think it is valuable for another reason. I believe his approach to laboratory research demonstrates the Law of Three. The Law of Three, according to ternary master, Jacob Boehme, states that any new arising in any domain is the result of three intervening forces: An affirming force that initiates creation. A force, either active or passive, that pushes against creation. A reconciling force that allows the two to come together.You need all three, which are morally neutral and indispensible, for the birth of something new. If an impasse is reached, the third force is missing or blocked. (Cynthia Bourgeault: The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three: Discovering the Radical Truth at the Heart of Christianity Boston, MA: Shambhala, 2015 and Richard Rohr: The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2016)On page 6 of his book, in his own words, Dr. Pfaff describes his approach to scientific research by saying that he “triangulated” brain mechanisms, viewing them from: Hormone targets: estrogen receptors in the brain. Behavioral response producers: lordosis in female rats. Genetics and genomics: mechanisms for vertebrate behavior.By triangulating brain mechanisms, he succeeded in analyzing the brain mechanisms for a reproductive behavior in physical terms.He approached understanding autism from a similar stance. On page 233 of his book, he writes, “A careful review of the literature led to our ‘three-hit’ theory of the sex difference in autism…”. Sex difference of being male (Autism is four times more frequent in males than females.). Prenatal adversity: various forms of early stress predispose a child to autism. Genetic mutations: monozygotic twins have much higher concordance rates for autism than dizygotic twins or siblings.The results of his studies constitute “one strand of evidence contributing to a much larger picture of molecular neurobiological changes contributing to autism in males” (p. 235).If, indeed, Donald Pfaff’s creativity in research can be attributed to his applying The Law of Three to his laboratory endeavors, this might be a valuable insight for researchers across a broad intellectual spectrum.