Articles tagged with Developmental Neuroscience
A new study found that propranolol, a medication for high blood pressure, can lower anxiety levels in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study involved 69 patients and showed significantly reduced anxiety levels compared to a placebo group.
Researchers developed a novel hybrid approach combining traditional mathematical methods and cutting-edge machine learning to improve EIT analysis of building structures. The new method, called AND, reduces errors in reconstructing foreign objects' position and size compared to conventional EIT methods.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that the liver generates palmitic acid and sends it to the developing brain when dietary levels are low. The study highlights the importance of palmitic acid for brain health, particularly during development.
A new study links increased acetaminophen use during pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester, to noticeable increases in attention and behavior problems in 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds. The study found modest but notable increases in attention-related issues and ADHD-type behaviors with increasing acetaminophen use.
Scientists have developed mini-brains from human fetal brain tissue that self-organize in vitro. These lab-grown organoids can study brain development and disease, including brain tumors. They offer a valuable means to untangle the complex network of molecules involved in directing brain development.
A new study found that changes in brain function, specifically the auditory sensory memory system, may be a potential biomarker for Batten disease. Researchers measured brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) and found a decline in response as the disease progressed.
Researchers developed a novel low-invasive neural recording technique for diabetic mice, overcoming tissue damage and enabling stable recordings for an entire month. This breakthrough technology has significant potential for broader applications, including drug discovery and brain-machine interface development.
Neuronal activity stimulates gene expression in human brain cells by influencing transcription factors and chromatin modifiers, particularly CREB and CBP. The interaction between CREB and DNA requires prior acetylation mediated by CBP to activate gene expression.
A world-first brain stimulation treatment is being developed to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease and epilepsy using ultrasound technology. The endovascular focused ultrasound technique could significantly improve the quality of life for thousands of people living with neurological diseases.
Researchers have mapped the lineage of neural stem cells in the superior colliculus, revealing an exceptional capacity to generate different types of neurons. The study also found that neural stem cells retain their ability to produce any type of neuron until the end of development.
Researchers used NIRS to track oxygenated hemoglobin levels in infant brains responding to gentle touch. They found similar response times across age groups, but varying signal amplitudes that may be linked to changes in blood flow and erythropoietin production.
A study found that prenatal discrimination and acculturation stress can alter the strength of infant brain circuits, potentially leading to increased risk for mental health disorders. The research suggests a critical role in treating individuals with kindness during pregnancy.
Researchers use AI to develop dynamic modeling of brain graphs, capturing dynamics in continuous time for more accurate predictions and personalized treatment of brain diseases. The project aims to track disease development in individual patients and identify biomarkers associated with brain disorders.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have discovered how Lactobacillus, a bacterium found in fermented foods and yogurt, influences mood disorders. The findings suggest that maintaining a healthy level of Lactobacillus may help prevent depression and anxiety by regulating immune response to stress.
Researchers at Mainz University and the US-American BENFRA Center have demonstrated the effect of botanical products used in traditional Asiatic medicine on depressive states in fruit flies. The plants Withania somnifera and Centella asiatica enhanced resilience to chronic stress, alleviating symptoms of depression.
A novel AI system analyzing brain MRI scans can diagnose autism in children between 24 and 48 months with a 98.5% accuracy rate. This technology enables early detection of autism, potentially leading to improved independence, IQs, and therapeutic outcomes.
A study of 1.3 million Canadian children found a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder in those born to parents with infertility. The research suggests that certain obstetrical and neonatal factors may contribute to this increased risk, highlighting the need for further exploration of these factors in individuals with infertility.
A new study has uncovered the molecular causes of a rare developmental brain condition in children, known as Autosomal Recessive ACBD6-related disorder. The research team identified defects in the acyl-CoA-binding domain-containing protein 6 (ACBD6) gene as the underlying cause, leading to delays in cognitive and motor skills development.
A study by Dr Lixin Ren found that extracurricular activities have a limited impact on math skills in preschool children, with effects dependent on behavioral regulation and approaches to learning. For children with poor self-regulation skills, structured activities can improve early math skills.
A national-level study found that the median UVC dwell time was 7 days, and CLABSI incidence did not differ significantly between 0-7 days and 7-15 days. The study also highlighted high rates of antibiotic exposure without reduction in CLABSI rates, emphasizing the need for nuanced approaches to antibiotic administration.
A study by Nagoya University found that children with a genetic predisposition to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) used screens for longer periods. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also increased their screen time as they grew older, suggesting a potential link between genetic risk and excessive screen use.
A large study of 91,460 mother-offspring pairs found no link between prenatal corticosteroid and beta-2 adrenergic agonist exposure and offspring neurodevelopmental issues. The findings suggest these medications are safe for pregnant individuals with asthma.
The WVU School of Medicine and Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources will support clinical trials and engineering technology development. The project aims to improve care and rehabilitation for people with neurological disorders through novel physician-engineer programs and human research.
A team of researchers led by Saptarshi Das is working on developing an all-in-one semiconductor device that can both store data and perform computations. The device uses ferroelectric materials, which can be both stored in and used for computing, offering a potential solution to the limitations of current technology.
The Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (OECS) is a dynamic web reference that will equip readers with essential tools to grapple with the profound implications of cognition and intelligence in today's society. With generous funding from James S. McDonnell Foundation and the Allen Institute for AI, the first set of articles will be ...
A new study suggests that transcranial ultrasound stimulation can be used to change specific types of activity within the brain, paving the way for targeted treatments of mental health conditions. The research found that TUS induced significant changes in GABA concentration and altered communication between brain regions.
The study reveals 15 distinct macrophage subtypes, including microglia-like cells and proangiogenic macrophages, which play critical roles in early tissue development. Macrophages were found to influence neural crest cell differentiation and contribute to vascular development during prenatal stages.
Researchers used Drosophila to investigate how similar neurons develop unique properties through differential gene expression. The study found that two closely related neuron types differed in over 800 genes, leading to distinct functional characteristics.
A randomized clinical trial found that maternal lifestyle interventions during pregnancy based on a Mediterranean diet or mindfulness-based stress reduction significantly improved child neurodevelopmental outcomes. The study included 626 children and showed that these interventions can have long-lasting effects on a child's development...
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a new method using nanopores to advance discoveries in neuroscience and medical applications. The technique allows for real-time detection of dynamic aptamer-small molecule interactions, which can aid in understanding DNA and RNA diseases and drug discovery.
A new study by Northwestern University found that non-Hispanic Black individuals have a significantly higher rate of pre-term births compared to non-Hispanic white individuals. Pre-pregnancy cardiovascular health and social determinants of health explain racial differences in preterm birth rates.
A recent study published in Nature Mental Health emphasizes the need for further research on sex differences in depression. The study, led by Georgia Hodes and Dawson Kropp, aims to uncover effective and sex-specific biomarkers for depression onset and target better treatment options.
A breakthrough in photonic memory has been achieved, enabling fast volatile modulation and nonvolatile weight storage for rapid training of optical neural networks. The 5-bit photonic memory utilizes a low-loss PCM antimonite to achieve rapid response times and energy-efficient processing.
A new geometric deep learning model called GFCN has been developed to detect stroke lesions in brain imaging scans. The model leverages rich geometric information to segment brain tissue and achieves higher segmentation performance than other neural network architectures.
A team of researchers from Kyoto University and international institutions has developed a mathematical solution to the temporal asymmetry of nonequilibrium disordered Ising networks. This breakthrough offers insights into the behavior of biological systems, machine learning, and AI tools.
HaoSheng Sun, assistant professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham, has been selected as a Freeman Hrabowski scholar by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He will receive up to $8.6 million over 10 years to advance his research on neural development and plasticity.
Researchers found that a protein called phosphatidylinositol-4 kinase (PI4-kinase) acts as a 'hub' for brain communication by regulating bulk endocytosis. The molecule sustains neurotransmitter release during high brain activity, which is crucial for brain function.
The study reveals that spontaneous waves of neurotransmitter glutamate facilitate dendrite pruning, while a unique protection/punishment machinery strengthens certain connections and eliminates others. Proper pruning is critical for neural development, with insufficient or excessive connections linked to neurophysiological disorders.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University and UCLA developed a method to improve memory consolidation by inducing deep-brain stimulation during sleep. The study found that precise timing of electrical stimulation enhances synchronization between the hippocampus and frontal cortex, leading to improved accuracy in recalling memories.
Adolescent neurostimulation of dopamine circuitry may reverse genetic deficits in frontal cortex function, rescuing structural and behavioral deficits caused by disorders. Researchers identified critical windows in brain development where interventions can target and change the course of diseases.
Researchers developed a neural device that detects specific neurotransmitters in the brain, enabling new brain research methods for prevention and treatment of diseases. The device combines multifunctional fibers and DNA molecular probes, providing high sensitivity and selectivity.
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism underlying the change from gist-like to episodic memory in mice, suggesting that as interneurons mature, they enable memory specificity. This finding has implications for understanding child development research and conditions affecting the brain, such as autism spectrum disorder.
A team of researchers has developed an AI tool called CRANK-MS that uses neural networks to analyze biomarkers in patients' bodily fluids and predict Parkinson's disease onset with an accuracy of up to 96%. The tool may help identify early warning signs for the disease, which can be challenging to diagnose.
The study found associations between prenatal maternal stress life events and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. DNA methylation likely plays a role in these associations. The research provides new insights into how the fetal environment influences neurodevelopment, metabolism and immunologic functions.
Researchers developed an AI-based method for virtual staining of histopathological tissue samples, producing images that closely resemble actual chemical-stained samples. This reduces chemical burden and manual work while enabling the use of tissues for other purposes.
Four to eleven-year-olds deemed Alexa more human-like, but neither robot deserved to be harmed or yelled at. As kids advanced towards adolescence, the feeling dwindled, and older children reported it was slightly more acceptable to attack technology.
Researchers identified over 1,000 genes with age-related methylation changes in human sperm. These changes are associated with increased offspring disease susceptibility for neurodevelopmental disorders. The study found no correlation between paternal BMI or semen quality and age-related methylation changes.
A study found that gestational iron deficiency may contribute to cognitive impairments like autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Researchers identified a specific embryonic neuronal progenitor cell target for GID, which disrupts interneuron development.
A study published in NEJM Evidence found that seizures can be predicted at least 35 minutes before onset in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for developing more effective therapies for this common seizure disorder, which affects over 50 million people globally.
Children with autism may not process visual illusions in the same way as their peers, indicating a potential issue with predicting and filling in missing visual information. This finding has implications for understanding and supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.
Autism research focuses on understanding heterogeneity between individuals, with Prof Michael Lombardo's project testing stratification by functional skills. The goal is to isolate specific biological markers and treatment responses.
In a breakthrough study, researchers at Münster University revealed that mechanical tearing is the primary mechanism behind neurite pruning in sensory nerve cells of fruit flies. This process, which occurs during development, involves strong body contractions causing stress on fragile neurites, leading to their severance and removal.
New research from Osaka University suggests that spending more time outdoors can reduce the negative effects of screen time on daily living skills in young children. By increasing outdoor playtime, parents may be able to mitigate some of the risks associated with excessive screen time and promote healthier development.
Researchers at Duke University found that caregivers talk more to young children who start talking, regardless of gender, rather than solely due to girls having bigger vocabularies. Girls' vocabulary advantage may be attributed to factors other than parental language input, offering insights into language development.
A novel AI-based malware detection and classification system has been developed for 5G-enabled Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems. The system achieved an accuracy rate of 97% on benchmark datasets, enabling the secure connection of applications such as smart cities and autonomous vehicles.
Germ-free zebrafish larvae have altered neural connections due to reduced microglia pruning by immune cells. Reintroducing normal microbiota restores normal development and social behavior. Microorganisms stimulate microglial activity, promoting neural connection remodeling.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed optrodes that can measure neural activity using light, potentially revolutionizing medical technologies like nerve-operated prosthetics. The new approach addresses long-standing issues with impedance mismatch and crosstalk, paving the way for more complex neural networks.
A Cornell University researcher is using optical microscopy and other tools to map the brain's neural response to psychedelics. The study aims to develop fast-acting antidepressants and treatments for substance-use disorders and cluster headaches.
Researchers have developed brain-like organoids that can be tested experimentally to uncover cellular and molecular causes of autism. The organoids, grown in a dish from human cells, self-organize into layers of cells reminiscent of the cerebral cortex, allowing scientists to study how complex neural structures arise.
Dr. Inagaki will receive $2.895 million in funding to study the brain's ability to learn new behaviors and explore its molecular and neuronal activity. He aims to understand diseases and injuries that affect learning and memory.