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neurodevelopment

·June 12, 2019·7 min read

Using gene editing, neuroscientists develop a new model for autism

Using CRISPR gene editing, researchers introduce the SHANK3 gene variant into macaque monkeys. SHANK3 has previously been linked to autism in humans. The monkeys with the SHANK3 mutations exhibited behavioral traits and brain activity patterns similar to those seen in humans on the autism spectrum, Researchers hope the new model will facilitate new avenues of research for ASD.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·June 11, 2019·4 min read

Early life stress plus overexpressed FKBP5 protein increases anxiety behavior

Early life adversity, coupled with overexpression of the FKBP5 protein, increase susceptibility for later neuropsychiatric disorders, a new mouse study reveals. The association is more pronounced in females.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 10, 2019·4 min read

Safe to breastfeed while on bipolar meds? Jury’s still out

Previous research into the effects of lithium exposure via breastmilk are poorly designed and sparse, researchers report. Until more research is done, mothers and babies should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for lithium continuation, as discontinuing the medication could pose a significant risk for both child and parent.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 10, 2019·2 min read

Type 1 diabetes may have an impact on the developing brain in children

Children with type 1 diabetes have slower growth of total cortical and subcortical gray and white matter compared to their peers without diabetes.

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Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 7, 2019·3 min read

Autism linked to less empathy in general population, but that may not be a bad thing

Findings provide new evidence that autism is linked to lower empathy in the general population, and atypical empathy in ASD is not simply due to alexithymia, or emotional blindness. Researchers stress that the lack of empathy may not always be a negative quality.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 7, 2019·5 min read

Early-life challenges affect how children focus and face the day

Experiencing early life adversities leads to disruptions in multiple systems of self-control and cortisol levels, which continues through childhood.

Diagram shows the evolution of problem behaviors in children

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 5, 2019·2 min read

Epilepsy drugs during pregnancy linked with later childhood behavioral problems

Women who take certain antiepilepsy medications while pregnant have an increased risk of their children experiencing behavioral problems as they grow up.

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Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 5, 2019·5 min read

How the Internet may be changing the brain

Ubiquitous access to the internet may be altering the structure of our brains, as well as influencing our attentional capabilities, memory and social behaviors.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 4, 2019·4 min read

Researchers discover cells that change their identity during normal development

Melanocytes, a type of pigment cell in zebrafish, can transform after development into a different cell type.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 4, 2019·4 min read

Exercise fine-tunes brain’s connections, eases autism spectrum disorder in mouse model

Participating in exercise improved synaptic pruning in mouse models of autism. The study also found microglia dependant synaptic pruning is impaired by maternal inflammation, which has been previously connected to the development of ASD.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 3, 2019·5 min read

Fathers aid development of larger brains

Reliable and stable paternal care is correlated with the evolution of larger brains in their offspring.

This shows a young boy taking a nap on his school desk

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 2, 2019·5 min read

Children who nap midday are happier, excel academically, and have fewer behavioral problems

Children aged 10 to 12 have greater happiness, self-control, fewer behavioral problems, increased cognitive performance and academic achievement when they take a brief midday nap, a new study reports.