AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·January 31, 2025·7 min readGenetics, Not Maternal Sickness, Drives Autism RiskA 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.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·November 21, 2024·5 min readMaternal Inflammation May Shape Offspring’s Alzheimer’s RiskMaternal 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.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·July 30, 2024·7 min readFlu During Pregnancy Linked to Neurodevelopmental RisksNew 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.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 7, 2023·4 min readMaternal Inflammation Linked to Child Behavioral DysregulationMaternal 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.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·June 22, 2023·4 min readInflammation in Womb Disturbs Neuron Maturation, Affects Brain DevelopmentResearchers 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.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 20, 2022·5 min readAntidepressant Use and Infection During Pregnancy Linked to Neurodevelopmental DisordersA 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.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscience·September 7, 2022·6 min readNew Knowledge About the Link Between Infection During Pregnancy and AutismResearchers 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.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscience·September 7, 2022·4 min readThree Autism Subgroups With Distinct Prenatal Risk FactorsUsing 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.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 28, 2020·7 min readMaternal Immune Activation Induces Sustained Changes in Fetal Microglia MotilityChanges in fetal microglia caused as a result of maternal inflammation could contribute to the development of schizophrenia, autism, and other psychiatric or developmental disorders.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·October 9, 2020·5 min readThe 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.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 4, 2020·5 min readNew insight on maternal infections and neurodevelopmental disordersMaternal 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.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 29, 2020·5 min readHow 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.Read More
