Articles tagged with Brain Development
A study led by Dr. Marco Milán identified mitochondria as a key player in a rare disease causing microcephaly, a condition where the brain develops to a smaller size. The researchers found that mitochondria dysfunction leads to proteotoxic stress, causing cells to accumulate errors in chromosome distribution, resulting in microcephaly.
Research in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging reveals that lifetime physical activity can reshape neural connectivity, strengthening the brain's internal communication and optimizing its response to stress. The study challenges traditional deficit-focused views of adversity, offering a more dynamic and hope...
Research reveals altered brain networks in newborns with congenital heart disease, which may be linked to sensory perception, movement, and social behavior. After corrective surgery, these brain networks are improved, suggesting that cardiac surgery can improve brain health.
A study in Taiwan found a positive association between maternal prenatal acetaminophen use and increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in offspring. However, associations were not observed in sibling-matched analyses, suggesting unaddressed sources of bias.
In a new study, researchers found that increased nitric oxide levels can lead to a biochemical domino effect, pushing the key cellular control system mTOR into overdrive in some forms of autism. By interrupting this pathway, the team observed prevention of TSC2 modification and normalization of mTOR activity.
A recent study mapped brain injuries in individuals with acquired aphantasia and found that all cases were connected to the fusiform imagery node. This suggests a critical role for this region in maintaining visual imagination. The findings have implications for rehabilitation strategies and understanding of cognitive function.
Researchers found that larger amygdala volumes are associated with higher social tolerance in macaque monkeys, suggesting a multifunctional role of the amygdala in processing complex social information. Hippocampus volume was not significantly linked to social tolerance.
A new study found that families prioritize VR features increasing physical activity over educational content, highlighting the need for research-based information on VR's impact on children. Families also emphasize the importance of safety controls to detect bullying or harassment on VR platforms.
Researchers suggest that cells descend from the same progenitor tend to remain near one another, forming a lineage-based mechanism to convey positional information. This theory could have far-reaching implications for biology and artificial intelligence, potentially solving fundamental mysteries of the mind.
Researchers identify nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) as a central mediator of neuronal migration and cortical lamination. The study reveals that UPF2, a core component of NMD machinery, is essential for proper neuron migration and brain development.
A new study reveals that astrocytes actively participate in motor-learning circuit rewiring by eliminating synapses in the striatum. The research identifies MEGF10 as a key molecular mediator of this process, which is regulated by dopamine signaling and neural activity.
A new study found that warmer nighttime temperatures during pregnancy may be associated with a higher risk of autism diagnosis in children. Exposure to extreme heat during early and late pregnancy increased the risk by 15% and 13%, respectively.
The UTA Pediatric Brain Health and Neurosciences Center will focus on developing novel treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy in children. Dr. Papadelis' team has already made significant discoveries in identifying the epileptogenic zone and predicting surgical outcomes.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 800 prenatal and postnatal brain scans to identify sex differences in brain growth. The study found that males showed greater increases in brain volumes compared to females, with early brain development carefully timed to meet ongoing demands.
A new study from the Stowers Institute has identified a mechanism that makes fleeting moments unforgettable, revealing a critical step in forming long-lasting memories. The research discovered a specific type of chaperone protein that allows proteins to change shape and form functional amyloids that house long-term memory.
Researchers found that inhibiting microglia activity improved young mice's recall of fearful experiences. Microglia markers were also increased in brain areas related to memory formation, suggesting enhanced memory recall. This study may provide insight into preventing infantile amnesia and understanding human memory loss.
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that exposure to wildfire smoke during the third trimester may raise the risk of autism diagnoses in children. Mothers who were exposed to more than 10 days of wildfire smoke had a 23% higher risk of their child being diagnosed with autism by age 5.
A recent study reveals that tissue stiffness regulates the production of key signaling molecules in the brain, using the mechanosensitive protein Piezo1. This discovery opens new avenues for understanding development and tackling diseases such as cancer.
A new MIT study reveals that somatostatin-expressing neurons follow a unique trajectory when forming connections in the visual cortex, establishing conditions needed for sensory refinement. These inhibitory neurons help usher in the critical period by setting baseline inhibition levels.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that the brain forms new, high-density clusters of synapses on specific segments of dendrites during adolescence, challenging the 'adolescent synaptic pruning' hypothesis. This discovery may offer new hope for understanding the biological basis of schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental condi...
A study in mice confirms the presence of two molecules that enable precise connection between inhibitory interneurons and target excitatory neurons. This link regulates information processing and maintains balance in brain circuits, with implications for understanding neuronal disorders such as schizophrenia and autism.
Dr. Maria Margarita Behrens' work deciphers the molecular signatures defining every human brain cell type, shedding light on neural development and psychiatric disorders. Her single-cell epigenomic atlases will enable researchers to target specific cell types with unprecedented precision.
A new study finds that infants' brain activity is influenced by their caregivers' reported income sufficiency, with delayed maturation seen in households where income was never adequate. The research suggests that policies strengthening families' basic needs during infancy may have lasting developmental benefits.
A groundbreaking study from Northwestern University found that changes to the gut microbiome can change the way the brain works across different primate species. The researchers discovered patterns of gene expression associated with conditions like ADHD and schizophrenia in mice with microbes from smaller-brained primates.
Children exposed to high levels of screen time before age two showed changes in brain development linked to slower decision-making and increased anxiety by their teenage years. Parent-child reading may offer protection against these effects.
Researchers have identified Tapt1 as a key gene in maintaining the balance between protein synthesis and degradation, crucial for normal brain development. The study reveals that Tapt1, along with its partner Suco, ensures proper neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation.
A team of researchers has reconstructed how the cerebellum establishes its connections with the rest of the brain during earliest stages of life. The work describes the phases in which these neural connections emerge, expand, and are refined, offering a comprehensive map of cerebellar projections across the mouse brain.
A study of over 3,500 adolescents found that social jet lag has widespread negative effects on the developing brain's structure and neural circuits. This includes weaker connections between key brain regions responsible for sensory processing, emotion regulation, and social function.
A new study found that maternal psychological distress experienced at 1 year postpartum has a stronger association with neurodevelopmental delay in toddlers compared to prenatal distress. The researchers also discovered that experiencing distress during both pregnancy and postpartum periods further amplifies the risk of delays.
Researchers identified five phases of brain structure, each supported by four turning points between birth and death, revealing key developments in cognitive performance, neural efficiency, and regional compartmentalization. The study provides context for understanding why brains develop differently at various stages of life.
Researchers found that early brain firings occur in structured patterns without external experiences, suggesting a genetically encoded blueprint. This discovery can help better understand neurodevelopmental disorders and the impact of toxins on the developing brain.
Researchers at UCSF found distinctive brain patterns in children with sensory processing disorder, which could help clinicians refine treatments for tantrums and emotional volatility. The study suggests that over-responsive children's brains dial up inward-focused networks to gain self-control.
Researchers found a significant link between longer screen time and increased ADHD symptoms, as well as developmental abnormalities in brain structure. The study suggests that excessive screen exposure may contribute to delayed brain maturation patterns in children with ADHD.
Research finds infants with sensorineural hearing loss lack normal left-hemisphere language specialization. Early auditory stimulation and language exposure can help preserve brain development.
Researchers have discovered that Batten disease progression varies by sex and age, with male mice showing early auditory problems that improve with age, while female mice experience persistent difficulties. The study provides a new model for tracking brain function over time and testing treatments for this devastating disease.
Researchers have created detailed maps of the mammalian brain's developmental stages, shedding light on how brain cells form and mature. The findings provide valuable insights into the critical periods that may help diagnose and treat neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD.
Researchers created a multidimensional molecular map of brain development after birth and its response to inflammation, finding that some developmental programmes can be reactivated during neuroinflammation. This study provides new clues for understanding how myelin is broken down in diseases like MS.
Researchers have developed a new large-scale brain data resource that integrates data from five studies of brain development in children and young adults across three continents. The Reproducible Brain Charts (RBC) project provides a harmonized dataset for tracking changes in brain structure and function, allowing researchers to better...
A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that early sound exposure significantly affects brain activity and emotional preferences in mice. Male mice develop strong behavioral changes when exposed to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 or silence, while female mice show varied preferences.
A high-resolution growth chart of the mouse brain has been created to study key brain cell types and their changes during development. The atlas reveals a dynamic sequence of brain growth and maturation in response to genetics and external stimuli, with implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders.
A new study reveals how prenatal alcohol exposure impairs key brain cells and circuits, leading to cognitive inflexibility and increased risk of compulsive alcohol use. Researchers identified a specific brain cell affected by early alcohol exposure, providing a clear target for developing more effective treatments of FASD.
A new study by MIT neuroscientists reveals that circular RNA, specifically circHomer1, strongly influences how neurons build circuit connections during visual system development. Knocking out circHomer1 prevents synapse maturation and delays expected neural adjustments in response to monocular deprivation.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have revealed a fundamental model for how neural activity during development builds properly working connections. Neural activity plays a crucial role in maturing synaptic active zones, allowing them to send the right amount of chemical signals at the right times.
A new study found that healthy habits such as optimism, good sleep, and social support are strongly linked to healthier brains. Study participants who reported the most protective factors had brains eight years younger than their chronological age, and their brains aged more slowly over time.
The data release from the HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study offers a detailed look at human brain development in early childhood. The comprehensive data includes information on prenatal health, social and environmental determinants of health, and wearable biosensor data.
Scientists at UCSF successfully used CRISPRa to increase SCN2A levels in mice with the genetic disorder, resulting in reduced seizures and improved brain function. The therapy offers hope for treating neurodevelopmental issues related to SCN2A haploinsufficiency.
Scientists have discovered key circuit changes that lead to the maturation of reliable brain activity patterns in response to visual experience. The findings suggest that the brain develops a modular organization, with patches of neurons activating together in response to specific features, allowing for efficient learning and adaptation.
The study reveals that enzymes KDM1A and KDM5C collaborate to prevent neurons from activating inappropriate genes, ensuring their proper function. This discovery opens new avenues to understand the origin of neurological disorders associated with intellectual disability.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that toddlers in the US experienced slightly fewer emotional and behavioral problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, which analyzed data from over 3,000 children, suggests that some toddlers may have shown resilience during this time.
Researchers found neglected children had abnormalities in critical brain regions, including right corticospinal tract and superior longitudinal fasciculus, linked to behavioral difficulties. These findings provide objective markers for identifying children affected by neglect.
Researchers have discovered that microglia, the brain's immune cells, play a key role in how the brain adapts during adolescence. This understanding may transform how neurodevelopmental disorders are treated during this window and possibly into adulthood. The study also found that microglial contact with axons increases dopaminergic ci...
Most Channel Islands foxes developed larger brains to adapt to survival demands in isolated conditions, defying the assumption that island animals have smaller brains. Brain size appeared to be shaped more by local habitat conditions than isolation or island size alone.
A recent study by researchers at The University of Osaka discovered the crucial role of DNA repair enzyme Polβ in safeguarding the developing brain from harmful mutations. Accumulation of indel mutations near CpG sites may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers found that maternal obesity prior to pregnancy can program long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories in children through epigenetic alterations. This led to autistic-like behaviors in male mice, correlating with altered gene regulation in the cortex and hippocampus.
A new study by Simon Fraser University researchers has identified a critical period in early childhood as a key indicator of future attention difficulties. The research found that children who exhibit organized brain networks similar to social connections have better attention skills.
A new study by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort suggests that higher vitamin D levels during pregnancy may be associated with better cognitive test scores in children. Children of Black mothers, in particular, showed strongest association between vitamin D and cognitive development.
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University found that US adolescents with cannabis use disorder have low treatment completion rates, ranging from 34.2% to 33.8%. The most common reasons for not completing treatment were dropping out, transferring facilities, and being terminated. Adolescents who began using cannabis at a younger age...
A Rutgers-led study reveals that the brain protein cypin helps maintain strong connections between brain cells essential for learning and memory. The discovery has profound implications for treating traumatic brain injuries and diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
A research team led by Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute is working on a technique that uses focused ultrasound to deliver creatine directly to the brain. This method aims to restore normal brain mass in models of creatine deficiency, which can impair brain development and lead to severe cognitive challenges.
Researchers found that inhibitory neurons born later in brain development mature faster than those produced earlier, ensuring a balanced neural network. This regulation is controlled by genetic mechanisms and may contribute to developmental disorders.