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neurodevelopment

This shows a little boy playing peak-a-boo

·November 10, 2022·3 min read

Pretend Play Should Be Studied in Children From a Younger Age

When it comes to pretend play, infants perform interactional patterns with elements of pretense a lot earlier than previously believed. Researchers say pretend play should be considered an interpersonal feature of cognitive development, and not an end product.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 10, 2022·2 min read

Why Eye Contact Is Rare Among People With Autism

During eye contact, those with ASD have significantly reduced activity in the dorsal parietal cortex compared to those who are not on the autism spectrum.

This shows a sad girl with a snuggly toy

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 10, 2022·2 min read

Exploring the Consequences of Early Life Adversity on the Brain

Childhood adversity can have a life-long impact on mental health and behavior. Adults who experienced childhood adversity are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 9, 2022·4 min read

A Clearer Picture of Developing Teen Brain

Study provides evidence of a critical period for neuroplasticity in the frontal cortex during the teenage years, a time at which risk-taking behaviors and mental illness risk peak.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 9, 2022·2 min read

Genetic Variation and the Diverse Range of Behaviors in Autism

Findings provide a better understanding of how natural genetic variations impact brain development and give rise to the spectrum of autism-associated behaviors.

This shows a teen sitting on the side of the road with a bottle of beer

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 8, 2022·5 min read

Genetics May Explain Link Between Unhealthy Teen Lifestyles and Accelerated Biological Aging

The epigenetic clocks of those who indulged in unhealthy behaviors as teens were 1.7 to 3.3 years older than individuals who reported more healthy lifestyles as teens.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 4, 2022·5 min read

Trauma During Childhood Triples the Risk of Suffering a Serious Mental Disorder in Adulthood

Childhood trauma significantly increases the risk of being diagnosed with a mental health disorder later in life. For children who experienced emotional abuse, the most prevalent disorder reported was anxiety. Trauma also increased the risks for psychosis, OCD, and bipolar disorder. Significantly, those who experience trauma during childhood were 15 times more likely to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder later in life.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·November 2, 2022·5 min read

Brain Changes in Autism Are Far More Sweeping Than Previously Known

Brain changes associated with ASD encompass more areas than previously believed, a new study reports. Researchers identified brain-wide changes in all 11 cortical regions analyzed. The greatest gene drop-offs were found in the visual cortex and the parietal cortex, a brain area associated with processing touch, pain, and temperature information. The findings shed light on sensory hypersensitivity associated with ASD. Additionally, researchers say the RNA alterations associated with ASD are more likely a cause than a result of autism.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·November 1, 2022·4 min read

TikTok Perpetuates Toxic Diet Culture Among Teens and Young Adults

The most viewed content on TikTok associated with food, nutrition, and weight perpetuates a toxic diet culture among teens and young adults, a new study reports.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·November 1, 2022·4 min read

Study Offers New Insights Into Genetic Mutations in Autism Disorders and Points to Possible Treatments

Mutations of the PTEN gene cause neurons to grow to twice the size and form four times the number of synaptic connections to other neurons as a normal neuron. Removing the RAPTOR gene, an essential gene in the mTORC1 signaling pathway, prevents the neuronal and synaptic overgrowth associated with PTEN mutations. Using Rapamycin to inhibit mTORC1 recues all the changes in neuronal overgrowth.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 1, 2022·4 min read

Sensitivity to Musical Rhythm Supports Social Development in Infants

Singing to an infant helps to support social development and interaction, researchers report.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 30, 2022·5 min read

Teenage Brains: What Is Happening and Why It Leads to More Risky Behaviors

Decision-making requires two different brain areas that mature at different times during the teenage years. This may help parents understand why their teens are more prone to making risky decisions.