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developmental neuroscience

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 5, 2019·4 min read

Gender-biased protein may play role in autism: Mouse study

204 proteins discovered were more highly regulated in females than males, with 31% of the proteins being associated with the development of Autism, researchers report. Findings shed new light on why males are at higher risk of ASD than females.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 2, 2019·5 min read

Sexuality continues to change and develop well into adulthood

Study reveals sexual orientation develops over a longer duration than previously believed. The findings suggest sexual orientation can develop into the late 20s.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 2, 2019·3 min read

Viral infections during pregnancy linked to behavioral abnormalities in offspring: Rat study

Females offspring whose mothers experienced maternal immune activation while pregnant displayed an array of behavioral abnormalities associated with schizophrenia.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 1, 2019·6 min read

Sleep and exercise affect new moms differently than new dads

Fathers who sleep more than other fathers experience lower overall well-being and closeness with their partners and children, while women who are able to sleep more report a greater sense of well-being. The study also found exercise impacts parental moods, reporting on days where men exercise more than usual, they are less likely to argue. By contrast, mothers who embark on more physical activity during the day experienced higher levels of emotional negativity and were more likely to have arguments. Researchers speculate this could be a result of paternal 'stress' of taking up the primary caregiving role for a time to allow his wife time to herself, causing a more argumentative state in males.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 30, 2019·4 min read

Possible link between autism and antidepressants use during pregnancy: Mouse Study

A new study in mice reveals a possible link between the use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism-like symptoms in offspring. Offspring exposed to fluoxetine (Prozac) in utero were more likely to exhibit impaired neurotransmission caused by an overactive serotonin receptor in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain implicated in modulating social behaviors. However, treating the mice with a compound that blocks the receptor alleviated the behavioral problems and improved working memory.

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Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 29, 2019·5 min read

Autism diagnoses prove highly stable as early as 14 months

Autism diagnosis becomes stable starting at 14 months of age, researchers report. The accurate diagnosis of ASD, four months earlier than previously believed, leads to more opportunities for early interventions.

This showa a child looking at a DNA strand

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 29, 2019·5 min read

Study links gene to sleep problems in autism

Deficiencies in the SHANK3 gene have been linked to sleep disruptions in both mouse models and people with ASD. Researchers found patients with Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a genetic disorder associated with autism, report trouble falling, and staying asleep. In mouse models, animals lacking the SHANK3 gene had a reduction in deep sleep quality and spent more time awake when other mice were sleeping.

This shows the hands of a child coloring in a picture

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 28, 2019·3 min read

Obesity and emotional problems appear to develop together from age 7

Regardless of socioeconomic status, children who were overweight by age 7 had a higher risk of developing emotional problems by age 11, researchers report.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·April 27, 2019·2 min read

New research reviews the state of vaccine safety science

Researchers will present a systematic review of scientific evidence for, and against causal associations for 47 proposed adverse events following immunizations at PAS 2019. The review found that, for 12 of the 47 AEFIs in the study, a causal relationship has been established with at least one vaccine. With the exception of deltoid bursitis, where a vaccine is administered incorrectly, causing pain to the arm, the adverse reactions are very rare. For the other 35 AEFis, the evidence does not support a causal relationship between conditions, such as ASD, asthma, diabetes, multiple sclerosis or SIDs, and vaccinations.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 27, 2019·2 min read

Breastfeeding boosts metabolites important for brain growth

Preterm babies who were fed breastmilk had significantly higher levels of creatine and choline, key metabolites for brain growth and development, than those who were formula fed.

This shows the lead research looking after a baby in a neonatal ward

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·April 27, 2019·3 min read

Placental function linked to brain injuries associated with autism

Disruptions in the supply of allopregnanolone, a hormone created by the placenta late in pregnancy, to the developing fetus can leave children more vulnerable to brain injuries associated with ASD. Losing the supply of ALLO alters cerebellar development, an area of the brain critical for motor coordination and social cognition, impacting the post-birth development of cerebellar white matter. An experimental model revealed deficient cerebellar white matter resulted in social impairments and an increase in repetitive behaviors, two hallmark features associated with autism.

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Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 26, 2019·3 min read

MMR vaccine and autism link debunked again: MMR vaccine reduces ASD risk in subgroup of girls

Another new study refutes claims of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. The study reports no link has been found between MMR and an increased autism risk, even in children with other risk factors for ASD. Researchers also reported, in a subgroup of girls, the MMR vaccine reduced the risk of autism by between 16% and 21%. No link was found between other vaccinations, such as Hib and DTaP, and an increased risk of ASD.