Researchers have successfully identified autism risk in young mice by examining their mother's microbiome during pregnancy. The study, which may offer the earliest detection of autism, could pave the way to developing preventative measures against forms of autism by altering the maternal diet and probiotic intake.
MIT researchers report mothers who contract severe infections during pregnancy face higher autism risks in their children. However, ASD risks could be reduced by blocking the function of certain strains of bacteria found in the mother's gut.
Researchers investigate the effects of maternal immune activation on the developing brain.
Previous studies have documented how infection during pregnancy can increase the risk of ASD and a range of psychiatric disorders in the offspring. A new study reveals how maternal infections can affect neural development and how the timing of infection plays a critical role in elevating the risks of mental health conditions.
A new study backs up existing evidence that maternal immune activation can impact brain development in children. Researchers report immune activation during pregnancy or soon after birth can cause alterations to brain networks associated with social behavior, resulting in autism-like symptoms in the offspring.
According to researchers, maternal immune activation during pregnancy can disrupt the expression of genes and processes associated with Autism.
Increased levels of epoxide hydrolase in the prefrontal cortex were found in the brains of young mice whose mothers had suffered infection during pregnancy. Inhibiting epoxide hydrolase reverses cognitive and social deficits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD.
University of Otago researchers report children have an increased risk of developing cognitive deficits linked to schizophrenia if their mother's immune system was activated as a result of infection during pregnancy.
According to a new mouse study, exposure to vitamin D during pregnancy may prevent autistic traits in offspring.
Researchers report abnormal development of the prefrontal cortex and maternal stress may lead to brain activity and cognitive impairments linked to psychiatric diseases such as Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
University of Sydney researchers report on a link between allergies and asthma in mothers, and increased severity of social skill deficits associated with ASD in their offspring.
Maternal inflammation has been linked to a range of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in children, including autism and schizophrenia. A new mouse study reveals maternal responses and subsequent developmental disorders are based on the mother's immunoreactivity to infection.