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pregnancy

·November 27, 2023·5 min read

Prenatal Discrimination Alters Brain Connectivity in Infants

A new study reveals that discrimination and acculturation experiences during pregnancy uniquely impact the brain development of children, distinct from general stress or depression effects. Using MRI, researchers analyzed brain connectivity in infants of 165 pregnant participants, mostly Hispanic, from New York City's Washington Heights.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 16, 2023·2 min read

Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Linked to Preterm Birth

A meta-analysis of 57 previous studies with over 12 million infants reveals that prenatal exposure to cannabis increases the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and the need for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. However, the study did not find a higher risk of birth defects or infant mortality within one year, including sudden unexpected infant death.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 1, 2023·5 min read

Mother’s Microbes Influence Fetal Brain and Gut Development

Researchers discovered the activity of genes in the fetal intestine, brain, and placenta is influenced by the microbes in the mother's body. In a study comparing normal mice with germ-free mice in sterile environments, significant differences were found in gene expressions associated with the immune system, nervous system, and pregnancy regulation.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 27, 2023·4 min read

Innocent Faces of Fentanyl: Opioid Use Linked to Distinct Birth Anomalies

Researchers have identified a potential new syndrome in babies born to mothers who used fentanyl during pregnancy. The infants displayed distinctive facial features, small heads, short stature, and various physical abnormalities.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 13, 2023·6 min read

Pregnancy and Body Image Perception

A novel meta-analysis, encapsulating insights from 5,200 pregnant and 4,172 non-pregnant women, uncovers the multifaceted impacts of pregnancy on body image, revealing nuanced individual variations that range from heightened body positivity to intensified dissatisfaction. While average body image dissatisfaction levels paralleled those in the general female populace, individual experiences deviated notably, intertwining with a complex tapestry of personal, psychological, and societal factors.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 20, 2023·6 min read

Prenatal Phthalate Exposure Linked to Brain Size and Child IQ Reduction

A new study linked higher prenatal exposure to certain phthalates with reduced gray matter in children's brains by age 10. This exposure was also correlated with decreased IQ levels in the offspring at age 14.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 18, 2023·6 min read

Motherhood’s Brain Blueprint: How Pregnancy Rewires Us

Researchers have delved into the neurobiological evolution during pregnancy and postpartum, shining a light on brain changes and maternal behavior. Hormonal fluctuations, especially related to estrogens, are believed to induce brain plasticity during these periods.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 27, 2023·5 min read

UK’s First Womb Transplant Offers Hope for Childless Women

For the first time in the UK, a woman born without a functioning womb has new hope for carrying her own child thanks to a groundbreaking womb transplant. The procedure was led by a team from Imperial College London and Oxford University Hospitals.

This shows a pregnant woman in a cannabis field.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 25, 2023·4 min read

Mental Health and Cannabis Use in Pregnant Women

A recent study reveals a potential vulnerability of pregnant and postpartum women with mental health disorders towards self-medicating with cannabis. Prior research had been vague, generalizing mental health issues without delving into specific disorders.

This shows a pregnant woman holding an apple.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 3, 2023·4 min read

Fruitful Discovery: Pregnancy Diet Influences Brain Health across Generations

A new study highlights that a mother's diet during early pregnancy, specifically consumption of apples and herbs, may safeguard the brain health of her offspring and even grandchildren. Using roundworms as a genetic model due to their genetic similarities to humans, the study identified a molecule in apples and herbs known as ursolic acid that helps maintain brain function by preventing the breakdown of axons.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 27, 2023·5 min read

Low-Fiber Diets in Pregnancy Risk Child Brain Development

Researchers have provided evidence linking maternal undernutrition, specifically low fiber intake during pregnancy, to neurodevelopmental delays in children. They compared the developmental progress of children born to mothers with varying fiber intake levels during pregnancy.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 6, 2023·6 min read

Prenatal THC Exposure May Risk Lifelong Health

A recent study shows that exposure to THC during pregnancy could significantly affect fetal development, leading to life-long health impacts on offspring. The research discovered that THC exposure altered the placental and fetal epigenome, changes that are consistent with common neurobehavioral conditions like autism spectrum disorder.