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developmental neuroscience

·November 5, 2025·6 min read

Early Trauma Hardwires the Brain for Aggression and Self-Harm

A new study reveals that aggression and self-harm share a biological foundation in the brain’s response to early-life trauma. Researchers discovered that trauma increases activity in calcium channels within a neural circuit connecting the nucleus reuniens and hippocampus, amplifying pain processing and impulsive behavior.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·November 5, 2025·6 min read

3D Brain Map Reveals How Inflammation Reawakens Developmental Genes

Researchers have developed the most detailed molecular map yet of how the brain develops and reacts to inflammation, revealing that disease processes can “reawaken” genes from early life. Using a new spatial tri-omics technique, the team tracked how gene activity, epigenetic changes, and protein production interact in specific brain regions.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·November 4, 2025·6 min read

BrainSTEM Atlas Maps Every Cell of the Developing Human Brain

Scientists have built one of the most comprehensive single-cell maps of the developing human brain. The new BrainSTEM framework analyzed nearly 680,000 fetal brain cells to chart their growth and interactions, offering a detailed reference for studying neuron development.

This shows a child working on a tablet in a classroom.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 3, 2025·9 min read

Why Kids Still Struggle With Capital Letters After Grade School

New research reveals that English-speaking children continue to refine their capitalization skills well past the early grades, despite being taught the rules early. Across two studies, students in Grades 3–6 made more errors than older students and relied more heavily on having “two clues”—such as a proper noun at the start of a sentence—to capitalize correctly.

This shows a child surrounded by bacteria.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 30, 2025·6 min read

Toddler Gut Bacteria Linked to Childhood Anxiety and Depression

A new study suggests that a child’s gut microbiome at age 2 may influence their emotional health years later. Researchers found that higher levels of bacteria from the Clostridiales order and Lachnospiraceae family were linked to stronger connectivity across emotion-related brain networks and a higher risk of anxiety and depression symptoms by age 7½.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 27, 2025·4 min read

Imperfect Parenting: How Early Neglect Reshapes the Developing Brain

New research shows that even mild early-life adversity can disrupt development, attachment, and stress regulation in young mice. When mother mice had limited nesting material, their maternal care decreased, leading to higher stress hormones, slower growth, and anxiety-like behaviors in their pups.

This shows a teen in bed, awake and looking at a computer late at night.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 23, 2025·7 min read

Lack of Sleep in Teens Linked to Higher Suicide Risk

Teenagers who sleep less or experience frequent night awakenings are significantly more likely to attempt suicide later in adolescence, according to a major longitudinal study. Researchers analyzed data from more than 8,500 teens and found that poor sleep at age 14 predicted suicide attempts by age 17, even after accounting for other mental health risk factors.

This shows a teenager wearing headphones.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 17, 2025·7 min read

Why Teenage Songs Define Us: The Science of Musical Memory

A global study reveals that our most emotionally resonant music tends to come from our teenage years—typically peaking around age 17. This “reminiscence bump” marks the period when our developing brains most strongly imprint musical memories that help form identity.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·October 16, 2025·7 min read

Child Abuse Leaves Lasting Biological Scars on the Brain and DNA

New research reveals that child maltreatment leaves measurable biological “scars” on DNA, altering brain structure and function. Using a genome-wide epigenetic analysis, scientists identified four key methylation sites—ATE1, SERPINB9P1, CHST11, and FOXP1—linked to maltreatment.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 14, 2025·9 min read

Mother’s Voice Boosts Language Development in Babies

Hearing their mother’s voice may help premature babies develop stronger language pathways in the brain. In a groundbreaking study, preemies who regularly listened to recordings of their mothers reading had more mature language-related brain connections than those who did not.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·October 9, 2025·7 min read

Gene Behind Child Brain Disorder Also Tied to Parkinson’s Disease

Scientists have discovered that mutations in the EPG5 gene—known for causing the rare childhood disorder Vici syndrome—also increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia later in life. The gene plays a crucial role in autophagy, the process by which cells clear out damaged material.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 8, 2025·6 min read

Social Inference Could Be the Key to Healing Schizophrenia

Researchers have identified a brain function that could transform how schizophrenia is treated—by focusing on social inference, the ability to interpret social cues and intentions. The study found that strengthening this skill early can help young patients regain independence and prevent long-term cognitive decline.