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neurodevelopment

·April 8, 2024·6 min read

Baby Talk: Early Social Interaction Spurs Language Growth

Early social interactions, characterized by "parentese," smiles, and eye contact, significantly impact infant brain development and language growth. Utilizing magnetoencephalography (MEG), the study observed increased brain activity in 5-month-olds during social interactions with adults, compared to nonsocial scenarios.

Autism Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·April 4, 2024·4 min read

Genetic Link Between Left-Handedness and Neurological Disorders

A new study utilizing UK Biobank data has unveiled the genetic roots of left-handedness, pinpointing rare variants in the beta-tubulin gene TUBB4B significantly associated with this trait. These findings not only shed light on the complex interplay between genetics and brain asymmetry but also link left-handedness with neurodevelopmental disorders through shared genetic pathways.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·April 4, 2024·7 min read

Early Gut Flora Imbalance May Predict Autism and ADHD

Disturbances in gut flora during infancy are linked to the later development of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD. Analyzing over 16,000 children from the ABIS study, researchers identified significant biomarkers in cord blood and stool samples that correlate with future diagnoses of these disorders.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 3, 2024·3 min read

How Brain Blood Vessels Develop

Blood vessels in the brain develop under unique rules, challenging longstanding beliefs about vascular formation. This research identified a specific enzyme crucial for the invasion of blood vessels into the brain, linking the formation of these vessels directly with the establishment of the blood-brain barrier.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 2, 2024·5 min read

Infant Microbiomes Dance to a Circadian Rhythm

Infant gut microbiomes develop circadian rhythms from as early as two weeks after birth, becoming more distinct as they age. The research found that dietary differences, such as breastfeeding versus formula feeding, have minimal impact on these microbiome patterns compared to the effect of aging.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 29, 2024·7 min read

Teens & Screen Pain: Unveiling Netflix’s Impact on Youth Empathy

Popular Netflix shows and films expose adolescents to an average of 10 incidents of pain every hour, challenging portrayals of pain and suffering in media aimed at 12 to 18-year-olds. This first-of-its-kind research scrutinizes the depiction of painful incidents and responses in shows like "Stranger Things" and "Sex Education."

Featured Neuroscience

·March 28, 2024·6 min read

Babies Predict Actions Based on Language Community

Six-month-old infants can predict actions of individuals who speak their mother tongue, but not of those speaking a foreign language. This research, merging insights from predictive brain mechanisms and social categorization, found that brain activity and eye movement in infants differ based on the language spoken by the observed person.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·March 27, 2024·7 min read

THC Metabolism Could Influence Cannabis Use Disorder Risk

Researchers linked differences in THC metabolism to varying effects of cannabis use and the risk of developing Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). The study, which included young adults with and without CUD, found that genetic differences in THC-metabolizing enzymes can lead to stronger and longer-lasting effects of cannabis, especially among females who metabolize THC more slowly.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 27, 2024·5 min read

Empathy Begins in Infancy

Children as young as 18 months display empathic concern towards others, marking a significant milestone in early emotional and cognitive development. The research found that children's capacity for empathic concern grows in environments where caregivers respond sensitively to their needs, highlighting the importance of social interactions in acquiring empathy.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·March 26, 2024·3 min read

Embracing Neurodiversity: Beyond Stigma to Strength

A new study highlights the need to recognize and celebrate the diverse skills of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. The research advocates for a shift in perspective, focusing on strengths such as creativity, resilience, and problem-solving, rather than deficits.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 26, 2024·6 min read

The Genetic Secrets of Neuron Formation

Researchers illuminated the pivotal role of the protein MEIS2 in brain development, particularly in the differentiation of inhibitory projection neurons, crucial for motion control and decision-making. This protein, in conjunction with DLX5, activates specific genes that guide the development of these neurons.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 22, 2024·4 min read

When Do Babies Begin to Be Conscious?

Researchers propose a new approach to determine when consciousness emerges in infancy. Their suggestion, based on identifying markers of consciousness in adults and tracking when these markers appear in babies' development, offers a potential pathway to understand this long-standing question.