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brain development

·September 10, 2024·5 min read

Chemical Exposure May Lead to Early Puberty in Girls

New research reveals that girls exposed to certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may experience early puberty, which is linked to various health risks. These chemicals, including musk ambrette found in personal care products, can stimulate key receptors in the brain that control puberty.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 9, 2024·5 min read

COVID Pandemic Hastened Brain Aging in Teens

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated brain maturation in adolescents, particularly girls, with their brains aging by an average of 4.2 years. The study links this acceleration to the stress of reduced social interaction during lockdowns, affecting brain regions responsible for emotional regulation.

This shows a man and fuzzy lines coming from his head.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·September 6, 2024·3 min read

Neurodevelopmental Disruptions Behind Schizophrenia Cognitive Deficits

A recent review of genetic and population studies reveals that premorbid cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, such as lower IQ, are largely due to neurodevelopmental disruptions rather than inherited genetic variants that directly increase schizophrenia risk. The findings suggest that non-familial factors, including rare genetic mutations and environmental influences, play a significant role in both cognitive impairments and schizophrenia risk.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 6, 2024·5 min read

Environment and Hippocampal Size Impact Depression in Youth

Challenging social environments and the size of the left hippocampus in children aged 9-11 contribute to an increased risk of depression. Researchers found that children with larger hippocampal volumes are more sensitive to negative social environments, amplifying depressive symptoms over a two-year period.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 4, 2024·6 min read

“Forever Chemicals” May Disrupt Brain Development

Exposure to PFAS, chemicals found in everyday products, can disrupt brain development in zebrafish, a model often used to predict effects in humans. Researchers discovered that PFAS activate specific genes related to behavior changes in zebrafish larvae, particularly those in the ppar gene group.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·August 28, 2024·5 min read

New Imaging Technique Identifies Autism Markers with 95% Accuracy

Researchers have developed a system that detects genetic markers of autism in brain images with 89-95% accuracy, potentially enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment. This method, which identifies brain structure patterns linked to autism-related genetic variations, offers a personalized approach to autism care. The technique, called transport-based morphometry, could transform the understanding and treatment of autism by focusing on genetic markers rather than behavioral cues.

This shows a little girl playing with cars.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 28, 2024·2 min read

Gender Nonconformity in Play Linked to ASD and Behavioral Problems

A new study reveals that gender nonconforming play behavior in 7-year-olds is associated with increased behavioral difficulties, including autistic traits in girls and peer relationship issues in boys. Researchers analyzed data from 718 children in Sweden, finding that masculine play in girls and feminine play in boys were linked to these challenges. While the study highlights potential associations, it emphasizes that nonconforming play does not imply future behavioral issues.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 27, 2024·5 min read

Children’s Curiosity or Memory Gaps? Why Kids Over-Explore Tasks

Children often gather more information than needed to complete a task, even when they know the solution. A new study suggests this "over-exploration" might stem from either natural curiosity or underdeveloped working memory. Researchers found that kids, unlike adults, continue to explore irrelevant information due to uncertainty in their memory retention.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·August 22, 2024·4 min read

Early Brain Changes May Trigger Autism

Researchers have uncovered critical insights into how autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may develop at early stages of brain formation. Using mouse models, the team discovered that environmental factors causing autism-like symptoms are linked to early changes in neurotransmitter activity in the brain. Specifically, they observed that a temporary switch from the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in neonatal mice could lead to the development of ASD-like behaviors, such as repetitive actions and reduced social interaction, later in life.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 21, 2024·5 min read

Childhood Inflammation Linked to Later Mental Health Risks

Children with persistent inflammation are at a higher risk of developing mental health disorders like psychosis and depression in early adulthood. A study found that elevated inflammation markers, particularly around age 9, significantly increase the risk of these disorders, as well as cardiometabolic diseases such as insulin resistance. The research suggests that early-life inflammation could be a critical factor in later mental and physical health issues, prompting the need for further investigation into its role.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 21, 2024·5 min read

Probiotic During Pregnancy May Boost Fetal Brain Development

A study in mice shows that the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve, when taken by mothers during pregnancy, enhances fetal brain development by improving nutrient transport and growth processes. The findings suggest that altering the maternal gut microbiome with probiotics could be a non-pharmaceutical strategy to support healthy fetal growth, particularly in cases of fetal growth restriction. Further research is needed to confirm these effects in humans and explore how probiotics interact with other gut bacteria during pregnancy.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 21, 2024·7 min read

Brain Overgrowth Linked to Autism Symptom Severity

Researchers have identified a link between brain overgrowth and the severity of social and communication symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By analyzing MRI scans and conducting experiments with brain organoids, the study found that children with the most severe ASD symptoms had significantly larger brains. This enlargement is associated with altered activity of the enzyme Ndel1, which plays a crucial role in neuron development. The findings open new avenues for understanding ASD and its varying symptom severity.

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brain development

Chemical Exposure May Lead to Early Puberty in Girls

COVID Pandemic Hastened Brain Aging in Teens

Neurodevelopmental Disruptions Behind Schizophrenia Cognitive Deficits

Environment and Hippocampal Size Impact Depression in Youth

“Forever Chemicals” May Disrupt Brain Development

New Imaging Technique Identifies Autism Markers with 95% Accuracy

Gender Nonconformity in Play Linked to ASD and Behavioral Problems

Children’s Curiosity or Memory Gaps? Why Kids Over-Explore Tasks

Early Brain Changes May Trigger Autism

Childhood Inflammation Linked to Later Mental Health Risks

Probiotic During Pregnancy May Boost Fetal Brain Development

Brain Overgrowth Linked to Autism Symptom Severity

100,000 Small Factors Rival DNA in Disease Risk

The Brain Stacks Sound Information to Navigate the Dark

Edge of Chaos: Why Pigeons Refuse to Become “Machines”

Brain’s Default Setting for Ambiguity Matters for Mental Health

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