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neurodevelopment

·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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 27, 2023·4 min read

Early-Life Stress Can Disrupt Maturation of Brain’s Reward Circuits, Promoting Disorders

Researchers have identified a novel stress-sensitive pathway in the reward system of the brain that releases corticotropin-releasing hormone in response to stress. Adverse experiences cause this pathway to become overactive.

This shows a drawing of a brain on a computer

Featured Neuroscience

·February 21, 2023·4 min read

Infants Outperform AI in “Commonsense Psychology”

When it comes to detecting what motivates a person's actions, infants outperform current artificial intelligence algorithms. The findings highlight fundamental differences between computation and human cognition, pointing to shortcomings in current machine learning and identifies where improvements are needed for AI to fully replicate human behavior.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 21, 2023·2 min read

Robot Helps Students With Learning Disabilities Stay Focused

QT, a newly developed social robot, is successful at helping children with learning disabilities stay focused on their school work. Researchers say the robot makes positive contributions to the classroom and learning environment for those with learning disabilities.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 20, 2023·4 min read

Domestic Abuse in Pregnancy Linked to Structural Brain Changes in Babies

Babies born to mothers who experience domestic violence during pregnancy have altered brain development and changes in brain structure. In females, maternal exposure to IPV was associated with a smaller amygdala, a brain area associated with social and emotional development. In males, the caudate nucleus size was increased. This brain area is associated with multiple functions including memory, learning, reward, and movement. The findings may explain why children of mothers who experience domestic abuse are more likely to suffer from mental health problems later in life.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 17, 2023·5 min read

Child Tax Credit Payments Linked to Reduced Child Abuse and Neglect

Child tax credit not only helped to reduce childhood poverty, but the expansion of monthly payments also helped to reduce child abuse and neglect, a new study reports.