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epigenetics

·October 29, 2025·5 min read

Epigenetic Switch to Turn Memories On and Off Created

Researchers have shown for the first time that flipping an epigenetic “switch” in specific memory-holding neurons can directly alter memory strength. By targeting the gene Arc—which helps neurons adjust their connections—scientists used CRISPR-based tools to either boost or silence its activity in engram cells within the hippocampus.

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.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·September 24, 2025·4 min read

Early Clues to Autism and Schizophrenia Risk Found in DNA

Summary: Researchers have built a detailed map of DNA methylation changes in nearly 1,000 human brains from six weeks after...

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·September 2, 2025·9 min read

Alzheimer’s Linked to Epigenomic Breakdown, Not Just Plaques

A new large-scale study shows that Alzheimer’s disease is marked by the erosion of epigenomic control, where brain cells lose the ability to maintain stable gene expression. Using a multi-region atlas of 3.5 million cells, researchers found that vulnerable cells in key memory regions such as the hippocampus suffer breakdowns in nuclear compartmentalization and lose their “epigenomic information.”

This shows foods entwined into a DNA strand.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 21, 2025·4 min read

Plant-Based Diet Could Turn Back Biological Aging

A new study suggests that eating more plant-based foods rich in natural compounds called methyl adaptogens—like turmeric, berries, garlic, and green tea—may slow the body’s biological aging process. Researchers analyzed DNA methylation, a cellular marker of aging, in men aged 50 to 72 who followed a nutrient-rich, plant-forward lifestyle.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 18, 2025·7 min read

Parents’ Age, Ancestry, and Habits Shape New DNA Mutations

A massive genomic study has revealed that parental age, ancestry, and smoking habits subtly influence the number of new genetic mutations (de novo mutations) passed from parents to children. By analyzing whole-genome data from 10,000 parent-child trios, researchers found that most variation in mutation rates comes from parental age, especially the father’s.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·April 26, 2025·4 min read

Prenatal Stress Leaves Lasting Molecular Imprints on Babies

A new study reveals that stress during pregnancy can molecularly reprogram newborns' stress response systems, with significant differences between boys and girls. Researchers found that maternal stress altered entire families of tRNA fragments in umbilical cord blood, particularly those regulating acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 24, 2025·7 min read

Maternal Childhood Trauma Linked to Rapid Weight Gain in Baby Boys

A new study reveals that maternal childhood trauma—such as neglect or abuse—can trigger rapid weight gain in male infants as early as the first two months of life. Researchers found that boys born to mothers who experienced early-life adversity gained significantly more weight per day than average, despite being full-term, healthy, and mostly breastfed.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 12, 2025·5 min read

Brain Enzyme Limits Risk of Drug Relapse

New research reveals that the enzyme HDAC5 plays a critical role in suppressing a gene (Scn4b) that regulates brain activity associated with drug-related memories, which are central to relapse in substance use disorders (SUDs). By limiting expression of Scn4b, HDAC5 reduces the excitability of neurons in the brain’s reward system, weakening the formation of powerful drug-environment associations.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·March 20, 2025·4 min read

Schizophrenia Risk May Begin in the Placenta

A new study highlights the placenta’s role in neuropsychiatric development, showing that DNA methylation influences gene expression tied to psychiatric disorders. Researchers found strong links between placental DNA methylation and conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 21, 2025·5 min read

Mutations Drive Aging and Shape Epigenetic Clock

A new study has uncovered a direct link between somatic mutations and epigenetic modifications, challenging established views on aging. Researchers found that random genetic mutations drive predictable changes in DNA methylation, offering new insights into the relationship between mutation accumulation and epigenetic clocks.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 9, 2025·4 min read

Early Stress Alters Sperm DNA, Impacting Offspring’s Brain Development

Childhood stress may leave lasting marks on sperm, altering epigenetic profiles and potentially influencing brain development in offspring. Researchers found that men with high levels of childhood maltreatment had changes in DNA methylation and non-coding RNA levels in their sperm.

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epigenetics

Epigenetic Switch to Turn Memories On and Off Created

Child Abuse Leaves Lasting Biological Scars on the Brain and DNA

Early Clues to Autism and Schizophrenia Risk Found in DNA

Alzheimer’s Linked to Epigenomic Breakdown, Not Just Plaques

Plant-Based Diet Could Turn Back Biological Aging

Parents’ Age, Ancestry, and Habits Shape New DNA Mutations

Prenatal Stress Leaves Lasting Molecular Imprints on Babies

Maternal Childhood Trauma Linked to Rapid Weight Gain in Baby Boys

Brain Enzyme Limits Risk of Drug Relapse

Schizophrenia Risk May Begin in the Placenta

Mutations Drive Aging and Shape Epigenetic Clock

Early Stress Alters Sperm DNA, Impacting Offspring’s Brain Development

$2 Saliva Test Could Help Detect Depression and Schizophrenia

How Chemotherapy Triggers Nerve Damage, and How to Stop It

Epigenetic Switch to Turn Memories On and Off Created

How Neurons Feel Force: Uncovering the Physics of Touch

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