FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 16, 2025·5 min readMental Health Disorders Linked to Lower Parenthood RatesA large-scale study using Finnish national data has found that young adults diagnosed with mental disorders are significantly less likely to become parents by age 39. The most pronounced effect was seen in individuals with schizophrenia, while common disorders like depression and anxiety also reduced parenthood rates—especially among men.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscience·April 9, 2025·7 min readMaternal Diabetes Linked to Higher Risk of AutismChildren born to mothers with diabetes face significantly higher risks of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, according to a sweeping new meta-analysis involving over 56 million mother–child pairs. The study, which analyzed 202 research papers, found that maternal diabetes—especially pre-gestational diabetes—is associated with increased odds of conditions such as autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, and learning disorders.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·April 2, 2025·5 min readPregnant Women Face Lower Odds of Long COVIDA large study of over 72,000 pregnant women found that those infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy were less likely to develop Long COVID than non-pregnant peers. Using data from two national databases, researchers found consistent results: about 16% of pregnant women developed Long COVID symptoms versus 19% of matched non-pregnant women.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 27, 2025·3 min readStronger Bonds Before Birth Shape Healthier Mother-Child FuturesA new study reveals that young mothers who feel emotionally connected to their unborn babies are more likely to form healthy, positive relationships with their children later. Researchers tracked 160 racially diverse, low-income mothers from pregnancy to their child’s toddler years, showing that prenatal bonding plays a key role in early childhood development.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 10, 2025·4 min readPrenatal Stress Timing Shapes Infant Stress ResponseNew research reveals that the timing of stress during pregnancy has gender-specific effects on infants, altering how boys and girls respond to stress differently. Scientists found mid-pregnancy stress has a stronger impact on girls' stress reactivity, while boys are more sensitive to stress experienced in late gestation.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 3, 2025·8 min readMaternal Diet Influences ADHD and Autism RiskA large study analyzing over 60,000 mother-child pairs found that a Western diet during pregnancy—high in fat, sugar, and processed foods—was associated with a significantly increased risk of ADHD and autism in children. Even small shifts toward a Western diet correlated with a 66% higher risk of ADHD and a 122% higher risk of autism.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·February 18, 2025·4 min readPrenatal Stress Hormones Alter Brain DevelopmentEnvironmental factors like stress and medication exposure during pregnancy can shape brain development, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Researchers used brain organoids to study the effects of synthetic glucocorticoids, commonly given to prevent complications in premature births.Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·January 31, 2025·7 min readGenetics, Not Maternal Sickness, Drives Autism RiskA large study analyzing over 1.1 million pregnancies found no strong evidence that maternal health conditions during pregnancy cause autism. Instead, nearly all previously reported associations between maternal diagnoses and autism could be explained by genetic or environmental factors.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 17, 2025·5 min readPregnancy Reshapes Mom’s Brain, Reducing Gray MatterPregnancy leads to a 4.9% reduction in gray matter volume in 94% of the brain, with partial recovery postpartum, primarily in regions tied to social cognition. A groundbreaking neuroimaging study analyzed brain changes in 179 women, including non-gestational mothers, revealing that these changes are biologically driven by pregnancy hormones rather than the experience of motherhood.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·November 15, 2024·5 min readAntiseizure Drugs in Pregnancy Linked to Neurodevelopmental RisksResearch suggests that certain antiseizure medications taken during pregnancy may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental conditions in children. Drugs like valproate, topiramate, and carbamazepine were associated with specific risks, including autism and intellectual disability, while lamotrigine was found to pose little to no additional risk.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 28, 2024·5 min readPrenatal Cannabis Use Linked to Child Aggression and Cognitive DeficitsPrenatal exposure to cannabis can negatively impact children’s thinking and behavioral skills, including impulse control, attention, and aggression, which are key for academic and social success. The study observed preschool-aged children with prenatal cannabis exposure and found they showed poorer control over impulses and emotions.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeuroscience·October 17, 2024·4 min readFolic Acid Reduces Lead’s Impact on Autism RiskA study has shown that folic acid supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the link between maternal blood lead levels and autistic-like behaviors in children. By examining data from pregnant women and their toddlers, researchers found stronger associations between lead exposure and autism traits in cases of low folic acid intake.Read More
