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brain development

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·January 29, 2024·6 min read

Adolescent Stress Alters Brain Genes, Affecting Adult Behavior

A new study reveals that excessive stress during adolescence can lead to long-lasting changes in gene expression in the brain, particularly those related to bioenergy functions. This research indicates that such alterations may disrupt cell respiration and contribute to behavioral issues and psychiatric disorders in adulthood.

Autism Featured Genetics

·January 27, 2024·5 min read

Indirect Genetic Influences of Autism Revealed

Researchers made a significant breakthrough in understanding the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by focusing on special genetic mutations and their impact on neighboring genes. The study shows that mutations within promoters in certain genome regions can indirectly affect ASD-related genes due to the three-dimensional structure of the genome.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 26, 2024·4 min read

Income Gap Influences Friendships in Adolescents

A new study reveals that adolescents from low-income families are less socially integrated in school compared to their higher-income peers, regardless of the school's socioeconomic context. Analyzing data from 4,787 Swedish children in 235 school classes, researchers found that income status significantly impacts friendships, with students from poorer households having fewer friends.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 24, 2024·6 min read

New Biomarker Measures Infant Stress and Development Risks

Researchers discovered a biomarker that can predict the impact of early toxic stress on infant cognitive development and health. The study used F2-isoprostane, a marker for oxidative stress, to assess the effects of adversity on mothers and infants.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 20, 2024·6 min read

New Insights Into Early Childhood Language Learning

A new study explores how infants and toddlers acquire language. The research challenges preconceived notions about language development, particularly in low-income families, by analyzing daylong audio recordings of 1,001 children from diverse backgrounds.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 18, 2024·6 min read

Positive Adult Bond Buffers Against Depression in Kids Facing Adversity

Positive relationships with parents and other adults during childhood significantly contribute to better mental health in adulthood. Analyzing data from the Boricua Youth Study, researchers found that children with at least one nurturing adult relationship had lower risks of depression, anxiety, and stress later in life. This study, focusing on marginalized and minoritized youth, highlights the importance of supportive adult connections as a resilience factor against mental disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 17, 2024·6 min read

Personality Traits and Social Media’s Influence on Teen Depression

Researchers explored how different social media platforms relate to depressive symptoms in teens. The study, involving 237 participants aged 14 to 16, found that personality traits, particularly extraversion, significantly influence how teens experience social media.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 16, 2024·6 min read

Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy Linked to ADHD in Kids

Researchers found a connection between the increased use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester, and attention and behavior problems in young children. The research, part of the Illinois Kids Development Study, involved tracking prenatal chemical exposures and assessing the behaviors and traits of children at ages 2, 3, and 4.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 15, 2024·4 min read

Aging Dads’ Impact: Age-Altered Sperm Genetics Increase Autism Risk

A study reveals that aging in male mice leads to changes in sperm microRNAs (miRNAs) that could influence offspring development. The research team conducted a detailed analysis of sperm from young and older mice, uncovering significant age-related alterations in miRNAs, some of which regulate the nervous system and genes linked to autism spectrum disorder.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 15, 2024·4 min read

Autism and Beyond: Unveiling Overlapping Neurotypes

A study has uncovered significant overlaps in neurodivergent traits among children diagnosed with autism. The research, which evaluated medical records of children referred for autism assessments, revealed that 76.2% of these children also exhibited traits associated with other neurotypes such as ADHD.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 15, 2024·6 min read

Childhood Adversity Accelerates Brain Development

A new study revealed that early life adversity (ELA) accelerates brain development in children, particularly during the preschool years. This acceleration, an adaptation to adverse circumstances such as a mother's health challenges during pregnancy, may increase the risk of cognitive and mental health issues later in life.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 12, 2024·6 min read

Eye-Tracking Unveils Autism’s Distinctive Worldview and Social Focus Shift

Researchers have discovered that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) develop distinct attentional preferences compared to typically developing children, focusing more on non-social stimuli like objects and textures. Using eye-tracking technology on children viewing cartoons, the study found that unlike their peers, ASD children do not exhibit the same developmental trajectory in social attention.