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University of Fukui

This shows a child, a brain, and screens.

·November 21, 2025·7 min read

Screen Time in Tweens Predicts ADHD, Slower Brain Growth

A large, two-year study of nearly 12,000 children found that higher screen time at ages 9–10 predicts an increase in ADHD symptoms, independent of a child’s starting symptom level. Brain imaging revealed that heavy screen use is associated with smaller cortical volume and disrupted development in regions critical for attention, cognition, and reward processing.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·October 16, 2025·7 min read

Child Abuse Leaves Lasting Biological Scars on the Brain and DNA

New research reveals that child maltreatment leaves measurable biological “scars” on DNA, altering brain structure and function. Using a genome-wide epigenetic analysis, scientists identified four key methylation sites—ATE1, SERPINB9P1, CHST11, and FOXP1—linked to maltreatment.

This shows the outline of a child's head and a brain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 5, 2025·6 min read

Brain Structure Differences in Children with ADHD Discovered

Researchers tested a new MRI correction method, called the traveling-subject (TS) approach, to resolve inconsistencies in ADHD brain imaging results. By scanning the same healthy subjects across multiple MRI machines, they identified and corrected for measurement biases, producing more reliable data.

This shows a brain and an unkempt child standing alone.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 29, 2025·5 min read

Child Neglect Alone Alters Brain Pathways

A new neuroimaging study reveals that child neglect alone, without other forms of abuse, can alter critical brain pathways. Researchers found abnormalities in white matter regions tied to movement, attention, language, and emotional regulation.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 11, 2025·6 min read

Spotting Silent Scars: A New Way to Detect Childhood Abuse

Childhood maltreatment leaves profound and often unseen scars, affecting mental health, physical well-being, and social development long into adulthood. Traditional assessments are invasive and often miss the full scope of harm as it happens.

This shows a child sitting under a tree.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·July 10, 2025·6 min read

Child Maltreatment Accelerates Aging and Hinders Social Development

New research shows that childhood maltreatment leaves lasting biological and social scars. In a study of young children, those who experienced abuse showed accelerated cellular aging and reduced social attention.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 22, 2025·5 min read

DNA Methylation in Serotonin Center Offers New Clues to Autism

A new study has uncovered abnormal DNA methylation patterns in the dorsal raphe—an area of the brain critical for serotonin signaling—in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By analyzing postmortem brain samples, researchers identified epigenetic changes in key genes linked to sensory perception, serotonin regulation, and synaptic function.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 12, 2025·5 min read

How Childhood Abuse Impacts Parental Empathy

A new study sheds light on how childhood maltreatment can lead to impaired empathy and increased risk of child abuse in adulthood. Researchers found that mothers who experienced abuse as children often struggle with emotional empathy and depressive symptoms, both of which negatively influence parenting.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 29, 2024·5 min read

Umbilical Cord Blood Test Could Predict Autism Risk

A recent study suggests that measuring specific fatty acid metabolites in newborn blood could predict autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. Researchers found that higher levels of certain metabolites were linked to increased ASD symptoms in children at six years old.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 4, 2024·6 min read

Structural Abnormalities in Brains’ of Mothers Who Abuse Kids

A new study used brain imaging to identify structural brain abnormalities in mothers who commit child abuse. Reduced integrity in the corticospinal tract was linked to impulsivity and movement control issues. These findings highlight the neurobiological factors in child abuse, pointing to potential prevention strategies.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·December 8, 2020·4 min read

Mother’s Empathy Linked to ‘Epigenetic’ Changes to the Oxytocin Gene

Methylation of the oxytocin gene OXT was associated with maternal personal distress, resulting in harsher parenting. OXT methylation was also negatively correlated with gray matter in the right inferior temporal gyrus.