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neurodevelopment

·February 13, 2024·4 min read

Childhood Bullying Increases Mental Health Risk in Teens

Childhood bullying can lead to significant distrust in others among young teenagers, greatly increasing their risk of serious mental health problems by adulthood. Analyzing data from 10,000 UK children over nearly two decades, the research found that those bullied at age 11 and developing interpersonal distrust by age 14 were 3.5 times more likely to face mental health issues at 17.

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Autism Featured Neuroscience

·February 12, 2024·4 min read

New Insights Into Gut Microbiome’s Link to Autism

Researchers discovered significant differences in the gut microbiome of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to neurotypical individuals, suggesting a potential link between gut bacteria and ASD. The study found an increase in alpha diversity and a higher abundance of Bacteriodetes and Bacteroides in those with ASD, challenging existing health paradigms.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 8, 2024·5 min read

Infant Brain Activity Maps Future Development

Researchers revealed critical insights into the brain activity of 390 newborns, illustrating the impact of term and pre-term birth on brain network connectivity and its fluctuations over time. This research is the first of its kind to assess dynamic brain connectivity in neonates, linking these early brain patterns to developmental outcomes 18 months later, such as movement, language, cognition, and social behavior.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·February 7, 2024·9 min read

Parental Traits May Influence Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Researchers revealed that evaluating parental traits for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders offers a more precise prediction for these conditions in children than genetic testing alone. The study found that children's risk of disorders such as autism and schizophrenia increases when both parents exhibit related traits, including depression and anxiety.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 5, 2024·6 min read

Brains of Bullied Teens Show Chemical Shifts Linked to Psychosis

A new study revealed a significant link between bullying in adolescents and the early stages of psychosis, associated with lower levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain's anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a region critical for emotion regulation. This finding underscores the potential of targeting glutamate levels for pharmaceutical interventions to mitigate the risk of developing psychotic disorders.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 5, 2024·5 min read

How Childhood Trauma Alters Brain Pathways

Researchers shed light on the profound effects of childhood trauma on brain development, uncovering significant disruptions in neural networks critical for self-awareness and problem-solving. By leveraging AI to analyze brain scans, the research highlights how early abuse rewires pathways associated with emotions, empathy, and bodily understanding, potentially leading to difficulties in learning and decision-making.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 31, 2024·5 min read

Early Signs of Psychosis in Youth Mental Health

A new study reveals that 50% of youth accessing mental health services exhibit Psychosis Spectrum Symptoms (PSS). This higher-than-expected prevalence highlights the need for early detection and intervention strategies. The study, part of the larger Toronto Adolescent and Youth Cohort Study, aims to identify early predictors of psychosis spectrum disorder and improve intervention effectiveness.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·January 29, 2024·6 min read

Adolescent Stress Alters Brain Genes, Affecting Adult Behavior

A new study reveals that excessive stress during adolescence can lead to long-lasting changes in gene expression in the brain, particularly those related to bioenergy functions. This research indicates that such alterations may disrupt cell respiration and contribute to behavioral issues and psychiatric disorders in adulthood.

Autism Featured Genetics

·January 27, 2024·5 min read

Indirect Genetic Influences of Autism Revealed

Researchers made a significant breakthrough in understanding the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by focusing on special genetic mutations and their impact on neighboring genes. The study shows that mutations within promoters in certain genome regions can indirectly affect ASD-related genes due to the three-dimensional structure of the genome.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 26, 2024·4 min read

Income Gap Influences Friendships in Adolescents

A new study reveals that adolescents from low-income families are less socially integrated in school compared to their higher-income peers, regardless of the school's socioeconomic context. Analyzing data from 4,787 Swedish children in 235 school classes, researchers found that income status significantly impacts friendships, with students from poorer households having fewer friends.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 24, 2024·6 min read

New Biomarker Measures Infant Stress and Development Risks

Researchers discovered a biomarker that can predict the impact of early toxic stress on infant cognitive development and health. The study used F2-isoprostane, a marker for oxidative stress, to assess the effects of adversity on mothers and infants.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 20, 2024·6 min read

New Insights Into Early Childhood Language Learning

A new study explores how infants and toddlers acquire language. The research challenges preconceived notions about language development, particularly in low-income families, by analyzing daylong audio recordings of 1,001 children from diverse backgrounds.