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neurodevelopment

·October 23, 2024·5 min read

Removing Pre-Bed Screen Time Improves Toddler Sleep

A world-first trial shows that eliminating screen time in the hour before bed significantly improves toddlers' sleep quality. The study involved 105 families and found that toddlers who replaced screen time with calming, non-screen activities slept more efficiently and woke up less during the night.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 21, 2024·6 min read

3D Brain Atlas Maps Key Stages of Brain Development

Researchers have created a 3D atlas of the developing mouse brain, offering a dynamic, high-resolution view of brain structures during embryonic and post-natal stages. This new tool allows scientists to explore how brain cells, such as GABAergic neurons linked to neurological disorders, emerge and interact during development.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 21, 2024·5 min read

Parent-Child Play Shapes Social Skills for Interacting with Peers

How parents and toddlers play together can predict children's future social interactions. By observing over 120 mother-child pairs, researchers found that responsive and assertive behaviors during play were linked to better social competence with peers.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 18, 2024·4 min read

Autism Risk in Males Linked to Y Chromosome

New research suggests that the Y chromosome may be responsible for the higher prevalence of autism in males, shifting focus away from protective factors on the X chromosome. Analyzing genetic data, researchers found that individuals with an additional Y chromosome were twice as likely to have an autism diagnosis, while an extra X chromosome had no effect on autism risk.

This shows a pregnant woman and a brain.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·October 17, 2024·4 min read

Folic Acid Reduces Lead’s Impact on Autism Risk

A study has shown that folic acid supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the link between maternal blood lead levels and autistic-like behaviors in children. By examining data from pregnant women and their toddlers, researchers found stronger associations between lead exposure and autism traits in cases of low folic acid intake.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·October 17, 2024·8 min read

Genetic Influences on Youth Behavior and Mental Health

Researchers have used an innovative approach to explore genetic links to mental health issues in youth, identifying associations with behaviors such as screen time and caffeine consumption. By focusing on polygenic scores that reflect genetic predispositions, the study highlights a range of potentially modifiable factors that may contribute to psychiatric risk.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 14, 2024·5 min read

Human-Specific Genes Reveal Link Between Brain Growth and Autism

Researchers have found a link between two human-specific genes and the gene SYNGAP1, a factor in intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. These genes, SRGAP2B and SRGAP2C, slow down synapse development, a hallmark of prolonged brain growth thought to enhance learning in humans. By turning off these genes in human neurons, scientists observed accelerated brain connectivity development, mimicking changes seen in certain neurodevelopmental conditions.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 14, 2024·5 min read

Motor Delays May Predict Genetic Disorders in Kids

A recent study reveals that motor delays and low muscle tone are strong indicators of an underlying genetic diagnosis in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Researchers reviewed patient records to identify early signs, finding that 75% of children with motor delays had genetic diagnoses. Early identification can enable families to seek genetic testing, potentially offering targeted treatments or monitoring for related medical issues.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 13, 2024·5 min read

Teen Friendships Shape Long-Term Wellbeing

New research reveals that teenage friendships lay crucial foundations for adult wellbeing, with the timing and nature of these friendships playing a pivotal role. Early adolescence social acceptance is linked to better adult mental health, while close friendships in later teens impact job satisfaction and romantic stability.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·October 11, 2024·4 min read

New Genetic Mutations Linked to Schizophrenia Risk

A study has identified mutations arising during brain development that may contribute to schizophrenia. Unlike inherited genes, these somatic mutations occur after conception and were found more frequently in schizophrenia patients' brain tissue. By sequencing DNA from neurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, researchers identified single-nucleotide variants linked to disrupted brain functions. This discovery highlights the importance of studying both inherited and non-inherited genetic factors.

This shows a child thinking about a traumatic event.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 11, 2024·6 min read

Child Trauma Recovery Tied to Thoughts, Not Event Severity

A new study reveals that how children mentally process traumatic events is the most significant factor in predicting their mental health outcomes, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Cognitive factors—like how children remember the event and view themselves afterward—play a more critical role than the event’s objective severity. Researchers found that children with more negative self-perceptions or distorted memories were at higher risk for long-term psychological impacts.

This shows a drawing of kids using computers.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 11, 2024·5 min read

Helping Kids Fact-Check in the Age of Misinformation

New research suggests exposing children to limited misinformation online can improve their skepticism and fact-checking abilities. By encountering controlled false claims, children develop critical thinking skills essential for navigating the digital world. In a study, children exposed to unreliable information became more diligent fact-checkers compared to those in more accurate environments. Researchers argue that equipping kids with online literacy skills is more effective than shielding them from all misinformation.