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brain development

This shows how the AI discovered the mutations

·May 27, 2019·5 min read

New causes of autism found in ‘junk’ DNA

Using artificial intelligence, researchers discover mutations in noncoding regions of the human genome that may result in autism. The noncoding mutations are associated with altered gene regulation in children with ASD. Additionally, the mutations affect gene expression in the brain and genes already linked to autism, such as those responsible for neuron development and migration.

The prefrontal cortex in the brain is highlighted here

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 26, 2019·5 min read

Growing up high: Neurobiological consequences of adolescent cannabis use

Researchers evaluate the psychological and neurobiological impact of teen cannabis use. The findings, to be presented at the 13th Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting, will cover how cannabis contributes to cognitive impairments, psychosis and deficits in decision making in adolescents.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 25, 2019·4 min read

Exposure to air pollution before and after birth may affect fundamental cognitive abilities

Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy or during early life is linked to a reduction in cognitive abilities during child development. Greater fine particulate matter 2.5 exposure between fetal stage and 7 years old was associated with lower working memory scores in boys at age 10. Early life exposure to PM2.5 was also correlated with attention problems in both boys and girls.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·May 25, 2019·4 min read

Infants with autism risk may be less likely to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar speech patterns

Children at higher risk of ASD are less able to distinguish between differences in speech patterns. The findings suggest the biological mechanism of language development is less acquisitive in high-risk infants who are diagnosed with autism during toddlerhood.

This shows a pregnant woman making a heart shape with her hands over her belly

Featured Neuroscience

·May 25, 2019·2 min read

Don’t overdo omega-6 fat consumption during pregnancy

Consuming too much omega 6 during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental issues in babies and pregnancy complications. In mice who had higher levels of linoleic acid in their diets, researchers noted altered concentrations of inflammatory proteins and a decrease in hormones that regulate fetal growth and development. Researchers stress the effects of a high linoleic acid concentration in diet are the same for both animal models and humans.

This shows a child looking at a DNA double helix

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 24, 2019·4 min read

New approaches to study the genetics of autism may lead to new therapies

Researchers will present their latest findings regarding genes associated with autism spectrum disorder in an upcoming meeting.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 23, 2019·3 min read

Targeting key gene could help lead to down syndrome treatment

Using stem cells from candidates with Down syndrome to create an organoid, and employing mouse models, researchers pinpoint a gene linked to memory impairments and cognitive problems in Down syndrome. Inhibiting the OLIG2 gene leads to cognitive and memory improvements in mouse models of Down. Researchers hope their findings lead to an in utero treatment that targets the gene and helps reverse abnormal brain development.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 22, 2019·4 min read

Infants later diagnosed with autism seldom initiate joint attention

An eye-tracking study of 10-month-old infants reveals children later diagnosed on the autism spectrum seldom initiate joint attention. Findings suggest children with ASD already have reduced social motivation as infants.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 22, 2019·4 min read

Early life exposure to nicotine alters neurons, predisposes brain to addiction later

Mouse study reveals neonatal nicotine exposure primes the ventral tegmental area, making the animals more susceptible to the effects of nicotine when exposed again later in life.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 22, 2019·3 min read

Healthy brain development is a human right

Researchers state healthy brain development should be considered a human right, not a privilege for the elite. Youths incarcerated in the U.S jail system are not having their cognitive and emotional development needs met, the study reports.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 21, 2019·3 min read

Children of both young and old parents share risk for certain neurodevelopment disorders

Children of younger parents are at increased risk of ADHD and Tourette syndrome, while children of older parents are at more risk of being diagnosed with OCD and autism.