WASHINGTON — Changes in a person’s environment can have long-term, significant effects on the brain, whether it’s the inhalation of wildfire smoke or the experience of childhood trauma. The findings will be presented on Tuesday, November 14, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. at Neuroscience 2023 , the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world’s largest source of emerging news about brain science and health.
The environment plays an important role in a person’s brain health and cognitive function. Previous research has established that both one’s physical and social environment effect the brain and nervous system. Next, researchers wanted to better understand the specific mechanisms of change involved in these complex interactions.
New findings show that:
“Not only does this research give us a better understanding of environmental stressors and their long-term effects on the brain, but we also have a more nuanced understanding of how one’s home and broader community environments can impact the brain as well,” said Catherine Jensen Peña, assistant professor of neuroscience at Princeton University and moderator of the press conference. “Continuing this research will help us better understand this unique interplay and come up with potential new therapies.”
This research was supported by national funding agencies including the National Institutes of Health and private funding organizations. Find out more about the environment’s impact on the brain on BrainFacts.org .
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. EST
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Room 202B
Press Conference Summary
Environmental pollutants are associated with cortical thinning in a lifespan sample
Christian Habeck, ch629@columbia.edu , Abstract PSTR072.21
Inhaled wildfire smoke particulate matter drives aberrant proteinopathy-related changes in adult mouse brain
Andrew Ottens, andrew.ottens@vcuhealth.org , Abstract PSTR018.09
Transgenerational impact of maternal early life adversity on cortical structure and epigenetic age acceleration
Leland Fleming, llfleming@mclean.harvard.edu , Abstract PSTR295.14
Potential role of apelin in mediating the antidepressant effects of physical exercise
Sonata Suk-yu Yau, sonata.yau@polyu.edu.hk , Abstract PSTR226.05
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The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is an organization of nearly 35,000 basic scientists and clinicians who study the brain and the nervous system.