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MIA

·January 31, 2025·7 min read

Genetics, Not Maternal Sickness, Drives Autism Risk

A large study analyzing over 1.1 million pregnancies found no strong evidence that maternal health conditions during pregnancy cause autism. Instead, nearly all previously reported associations between maternal diagnoses and autism could be explained by genetic or environmental factors.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·November 21, 2024·5 min read

Maternal Inflammation May Shape Offspring’s Alzheimer’s Risk

Maternal immune activity during pregnancy influences memory circuitry in offspring, with sex-specific effects extending into midlife. Elevated immune markers like IL-6 and TNF-a in mothers were linked to adverse brain activity in memory regions, particularly in postmenopausal women, and lower cognitive performance in children.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 30, 2024·7 min read

Flu During Pregnancy Linked to Neurodevelopmental Risks

New research shows that severe flu in pregnancy can increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring due to the mother’s immune response. Using live influenza virus in mice, researchers found significant fetal brain changes only when maternal infection reached a certain severity. This study highlights the importance of flu vaccination during pregnancy to reduce risks. It also suggests a threshold of infection severity for fetal brain impact.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 7, 2023·4 min read

Maternal Inflammation Linked to Child Behavioral Dysregulation

Maternal inflammation risk factors may be associated with dysregulation in children, encompassing attention, anxiety, depression, and aggression. Researchers observed that children born to mothers with prenatal infections, or who were overweight, less educated, or smoked during pregnancy, had a higher likelihood of dysregulation.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 22, 2023·4 min read

Inflammation in Womb Disturbs Neuron Maturation, Affects Brain Development

Researchers discovered how inflammation in the womb can disrupt the maturation of nerve cells and impede an unborn baby's brain development. The study reveals that excessive inflammation can lead to reduced neuronal electrical activity, possibly resulting in conditions like cerebral palsy or developmental issues affecting growth, movement, vision, and hearing.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 20, 2022·5 min read

Antidepressant Use and Infection During Pregnancy Linked to Neurodevelopmental Disorders

A combination of antidepression use and infections that lead to inflammation during pregnancy increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism in children, a new study reports.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·September 7, 2022·6 min read

New Knowledge About the Link Between Infection During Pregnancy and Autism

Researchers discovered the link between autism and maternal infection does not appear to be causal. Results suggest the increased autism risks are more likely to be explained by shared familial factors including genetics or aspects of a shared environment.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·September 7, 2022·4 min read

Three Autism Subgroups With Distinct Prenatal Risk Factors

Using large data sets, researchers determined children on the autism spectrum can be broken into three subgroups based upon co-occurring conditions, and those subgroups are associated with different prenatal risk factors. Infections, anti-inflammatory and other complex medications were associated with one group, while joint disorders and immune system problems were associated with another. The third subgroup was associated with overall pregnancy complications. Researchers have developed a new blood test that can for autism and prenatal risk factors for ASD.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 28, 2020·7 min read

Maternal Immune Activation Induces Sustained Changes in Fetal Microglia Motility

Changes in fetal microglia caused as a result of maternal inflammation could contribute to the development of schizophrenia, autism, and other psychiatric or developmental disorders.

This shows immune cells in the choroid plexus

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 9, 2020·5 min read

The Choroid Plexus: A Conduit for Prenatal Inflammation?

Mouse study reveals the choroid plexus can act as a conduit for inflammation that can arise from maternal inflammation, impacting fetal brain development.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 4, 2020·5 min read

New insight on maternal infections and neurodevelopmental disorders

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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 29, 2020·5 min read

How could Covid-19 and the body’s immune response affect the brain?

Mounting evidence suggests coronavirus affects the brain, in addition to the lungs. Researchers are examining the threat COVID-19 posses to long term brain health. They speculate maternal inflammation could lead to an increased risk of autism-like behaviors and neurodevelopment deficits in children born to mothers diagnosed with coronavirus. Other studies are exploring how the virus may spread in the nervous system via synaptic transmission.

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MIA

Genetics, Not Maternal Sickness, Drives Autism Risk

Maternal Inflammation May Shape Offspring’s Alzheimer’s Risk

Flu During Pregnancy Linked to Neurodevelopmental Risks

Maternal Inflammation Linked to Child Behavioral Dysregulation

Inflammation in Womb Disturbs Neuron Maturation, Affects Brain Development

Antidepressant Use and Infection During Pregnancy Linked to Neurodevelopmental Disorders

New Knowledge About the Link Between Infection During Pregnancy and Autism

Three Autism Subgroups With Distinct Prenatal Risk Factors

Maternal Immune Activation Induces Sustained Changes in Fetal Microglia Motility

The Choroid Plexus: A Conduit for Prenatal Inflammation?

New insight on maternal infections and neurodevelopmental disorders

How could Covid-19 and the body’s immune response affect the brain?

Every Breath You Take Alters Your Visual Perception

How the Brain Ignores Distractions to Stay Focused

Brain’s Hidden Circuitry for Risk and Reward Uncovered

Spiritual Practices Share a Common Mental Pathway to Deep Bliss

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