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neurodevelopment

·March 10, 2023·5 min read

Could an Ancient Virus Be a Genetic Driver of Autism?

Genome and transcriptome analysis revealed BTBR autism mouse models have increased levels of endogenous retrovirus genes. BTBR/R models of ASD showed differences in the expression of a variety of genes that are indicative of endogenous retrovirus activation. BTBR/R mice exhibit autistic-like behaviors without reduced learning abilities.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 9, 2023·4 min read

All Work, No Independent Play Cause of Children’s Declining Mental Health

The rise in childhood mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression may be linked to the decline in opportunities to play, explore, and engage in activities independent of parental control and oversight.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 8, 2023·4 min read

Mobile Devices Distract Adolescents From Negative Thoughts Before Sleep

Controlled nighttime use of social media and apps can help ease teenagers' negative thoughts before they fall asleep, a new study reports.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 6, 2023·5 min read

Iron & the Brain: Where and When Neurodevelopmental Disabilities May Begin During Pregnancy

Gestational iron deficiency (GID) affects the behavior of embryonic progenitor cells, resulting in the creation of sub-optimal networks of specialized neurons later in life.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·March 3, 2023·6 min read

Age-Related Brain Differences in Autistic Individuals

Genes linked to inflammation, neurotransmission, and immunity act differently in the brains of those on the autism spectrum compared to neurotypical people. These differences begin during childhood and evolve throughout a person's lifespan.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 3, 2023·4 min read

Small Differences in Mom’s Behavior May Show Up in Child’s Epigenome

A mother's social interaction with her child, especially if her behavior is cold or awkward, correlated with a small increase in methylation of the child's NR3C1 gene. The NR3C1 is involved in the regulation of the HPA-axis which plays a critical role in stress response and the production of cortisol.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 1, 2023·3 min read

Stress Gene Dysregulation Found in Kids After Injury From Abuse vs. Accident

Study reports on epigenetic changes to the FKBP5 gene, a key gene associated with the regulation of stress response in the body, in babies and young children who were injured as a result of abuse, but not accidental injury.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·March 1, 2023·5 min read

Through the Eye of the Beholder: People With Autism Process Illusory Shapes Differently

Using EEG data, researchers discovered children on the autism spectrum do not automatically process illusory shapes as well as children not on the autism spectrum. The findings suggest something is going awry in the feedback-processing pathways in the brains of those with autism.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 28, 2023·5 min read

How Children Learn Emotion Labels Through Parents’ Speech

Young children are more likely to know an emotional label when they also know related valenced words. Parents who surround emotional labels with related words provide support for their child's learning and language development skills.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 28, 2023·4 min read

Breast Milk Boosts Premature Babies’ Brain Development

In babies born preterm, the cerebral cortex, a brain area associated with learning and cognition is often underdeveloped. In preterm babies fed larger quantities of breastmilk, the cerebral cortex resembled those of babies born full term. Researchers say breastfeeding could help to reduce learning and behavioral deficits associated with preterm birth.

This shows the outline of a head and brain

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·February 28, 2023·4 min read

Social Deficits and Seizures in Autism Type Tied to Overexcited Brain Circuits

A genetic subtype of ASD and schizophrenia have a duplicate gene that triggers overactivity in neural circuits, leading to social deficits and seizures. When researchers reduced the level of the PRRT2 gene in mouse models of 16p11.2 duplication syndrome, social behaviors were restored and seizure activity decreased.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·February 28, 2023·6 min read

Bad Dreams in Children Linked to a Higher Risk of Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease in Adulthood

Children who experience frequent nightmares at age 11 are twice as likely to develop symptoms of cognitive impairment, and seven times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease by age 50.