A new study published in Cell Reports found that the visual cortex establishes targeted, region-specific neural connections early in postnatal development, challenging the exuberant growth model. The research team mapped the connections of thousands of neurons using advanced viral and molecular tracing techniques, revealing a refined w...
A study of over 6 million people found that individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the age of 20 were more likely to have ADHD (14%) and autism (5.7%) compared to those without T2D. This suggests that healthcare systems may need to consider the needs of neurodivergent people when providing care for early-onset T2D.
The study reveals that cellular processes in common marmosets slow down the production of nerve cells, resulting in a smaller and less folded brain. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary development of the primate brain and may provide insights into human developmental disorders.
Researchers found that higher eye-blink rates in 3-6 year-olds are associated with improved cognitive flexibility and activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that spontaneous eye-blink rate could be a non-invasive indicator for tracking executive function and brain development in early childhood.
Researchers identified two opposing patterns of brain gene activity in mice carrying autism-risk mutations, which vary by sex and respond differently to experimental drugs. The patterns, which are shared across multiple analyses, suggest that many different genetic mutations converge into a limited number of molecular brain states.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered that inflammation during a critical window of pregnancy can contribute to autism-like traits in male mice. The study found that fetuses were most susceptible to developing abnormalities following inflammation at 12.5 days of gestation.
Researchers identified a brain protein important for maintaining dopamine-related cells and normal development, providing new insights into ADHD. The study found that dopamine D2 receptor-expressing cells were crucial for normal brain development and function, and that their disruption contributed to ADHD-like behaviors.
A team of researchers at Brown University's Carney Institute for Brain Science has discovered a genetic atlas of neuronal development, which could provide a potential step forward for understanding how to repair broken neural connections. The study found that neurons use a genetic switch in the cell body to control axon growth, allowin...
Researchers analyzed 2,826 brain MRI exams and found that individuals living in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods exhibited a higher brain age gap and lower total brain volume. This association was linked to increased risk of memory loss, cognitive problems, and dementia.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience reveals that the thalamus actively contributes to the development of visual circuits during brain development. Altering thalamic activity changes the number and distribution of interneurons in the visual thalamus and affects the organization of these cells in the visual cortex.
Babies born to anaemic mothers have smaller brain volumes, with differences detectable from 12 months old. The study found that anaemia affects brain development, particularly in regions involved in movement, learning, and communication.
Two UCLA studies published in Cell and Science uncover the role of metabolism and physical signals in guiding radial glia to produce specific cell types in the developing human cortex. Metabolic research found that the pentose phosphate pathway influences cell fate, while thalamic projections make direct physical contact with radial gl...
Salk Institute scientists found that maternal immune activation leads to epigenetic changes in mouse brains, increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. These changes were particularly significant in areas of the genome associated with autism spectrum disorder.
The Hippenmeyer group has developed a stable mouse stem cell line and created a robust and reproducible mouse cortical organoid protocol. By comparing developmental stages of the mouse brain with those of the organoids using single-cell sequencing, they found similar cell populations and molecular programs.
A new study found that folic acid works with the enzyme ALDH1L1 to produce retinoic acid, a critical developmental signal for the nervous system. Folic acid's protective effect is lost when ALDH1L1 is disrupted, supporting its role in preventing neural tube defects.
Researchers digitally reconstructed a dodo brain cavity to understand its sensory abilities, finding it may have had a flexible daily activity pattern and enhanced sense of smell. The study provides new clues on how the dodo foraged and interacted with its environment before disappearing in the late 17th century.
Researchers at Brown and U.T. Southwestern have identified a key mechanism underlying GPT2 deficiency, a rare genetic disease affecting brain development. Supplementing a metabolite called alpha-ketoglutarate may improve DNA structure and gene expression in the brain, potentially leading to new treatments.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine identified a biological process that sheds new light on how memory circuits mature during late adolescence. The study found that memories formed earlier in life become temporarily difficult to retrieve before resurfacing later with less precise detail.
Researchers have developed a new tool to screen genes involved in human development at unprecedented scale and speed. The method, using organoids from human pluripotent stem cells, revealed new insights into human brain development, including the role of ZIC2, SOX11, and ZNF521 genes.
A biomaterial scaffold has been developed to recreate a skull stem cell niche, reducing craniosynostosis-related deformities and promoting normal skull growth. The triphasic scaffold maintained skeletal stem cells while supporting bone formation and tissue regeneration.
A new five-year project at Wayne State University aims to investigate the effects of e-cigarette use during pregnancy on fetal brain development. The research will utilize a state-of-the-art vaping system to model real-world exposures and examine their effects on neurodevelopment.
A zebrafish study has discovered that a gene associated with restless legs syndrome affects the cerebellum, a brain region crucial for movement coordination. The researchers found that mutations in this gene lead to developmental abnormalities and abnormal locomotion patterns.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that neurons sustain DNA breaks during cortex formation, but a quick repair mechanism prevents harm. The study reveals that this damage is a normal part of brain development and may contribute to individuality and neurodevelopmental diseases.
Researchers found that socioeconomic factors, such as family income and neighborhood resources, have a strong connection to brain development in children. These factors are more strongly linked to brain function than IQ scores or parenting style, and can even affect the structure of the brain through disrupted sleep and chronic stress.
Research reveals that zebra finch chicks' brain development is altered by heat warning calls in the egg, preparing them for hot conditions after hatching. The changes involve genes involved in blood vessel structure and muscle contraction, potentially protecting the chicks from heat stroke.
A study of 2,044 older Japanese adults found that lower vitamin C levels were associated with lower gray matter volume and reduced connectivity within the default mode network. Optimal vitamin C levels may support cognitive function, but further research is needed to explore the biological mechanisms.
A systematic review of 73 studies found that early diet may shape cognitive performance and academic outcomes in adolescents. Unhealthy dietary patterns in infancy have lasting consequences for intelligence in adolescence, according to the study.
A new study from Bradley Hospital researchers shows that cannabis use during adolescence is associated with reduced dopamine-related neurophysiology and altered reward processing. The study found that teens who repeatedly used cannabis showed signs of reduced tissue iron levels in brain regions involved in motivation and reward.
A new framework, criticome, integrates experience until age 25, reframing autism, schizophrenia, depression, and trauma as developmental disorders. The study suggests that screen-saturated childhoods may produce adult dysfunction, highlighting the importance of early experience in brain development.
The study reveals that rats have a larger deep layer in their brains due to the prolonged expression of Wnt signaling genes, resulting in extended deep layer neuron production. This finding suggests that 'heterochrony' in neurogenesis is responsible for the interspecific diversity in the neuronal composition of the mammalian cortex.
Researchers developed a viable homozygous CHD8 mouse model, showing that stronger mutations can dramatically alter male–female autism patterns. The study revealed pronounced autism-related abnormalities in both sexes with severe mutations.
Researchers have discovered that errors in the final step of cell division can cause dramatic changes in developing brain cells, leading to abnormalities such as multiple nuclei and cilia. The study found that a protein called p53 acts as a guardian of brain development by triggering the self-destruction of abnormal cells.
Researchers mapped HuD-bound mRNAs across embryonic and adult mouse brains, finding shared biological pathways. The study suggests that adult neurons use an embryonic
A new study at Florida Atlantic University maps the neural wiring system linked to a fly's split-second escape behaviors, revealing a decentralized communication strategy. The findings provide insight into how brains process information at extraordinary speed and may represent a conserved blueprint shared across species.
Children with high genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia show decreases in frontal cortical surface area during early adolescence, contrasting with regional expansion in those with low genetic susceptibility. This suggests neurodevelopmental deviations prior to symptom onset.
A study found that transposable elements, once considered non-functional DNA, contribute to the evolution and expansion of gene regulation during neural development. The findings suggest a two-phase model of TE acquisition during evolution, involving both ancient and more recent expansions that shaped modern gene regulatory networks.
Researchers at University of California - Riverside discovered that the primary cilium, a microscopic structure inside nearly every cell, plays a critical role in brain development. The study found that proteins associated with the cilium are directly linked to human developmental disorders and that protein production occurs directly w...
A study by Adelaide University researchers found that teacher self-efficacy is critical in creating safe learning environments for young children experiencing trauma. Early years teachers play a vital role in supporting children's wellbeing and helping to break cycles of disadvantage.
Researchers found that Adgrl2 plays a crucial role in building both brain synapses and blood vessels, with different cell types producing distinct versions of the protein. Removing Adgrl2 from endothelial cells caused blood vessels to become leaky and lose their integrity.
A Mount Sinai study reveals that early-life exposure to common environmental metals may shape brain development and behavioral health more than a decade later. The research combined baby teeth with advanced brain imaging, pinpointing specific weeks during pregnancy and infancy when the developing brain appears most vulnerable.
Researchers at UCLA mapped how Down syndrome disrupts prenatal neuron development, leading to cognitive and sensory processing differences. The study found altered developmental sequences and cell populations that may contribute to the condition's effects.
Researchers from the Salk Institute found that astrocytes play a crucial role in fragile X syndrome symptoms. Correcting dysregulations in star-shaped brain cells improved some symptoms, including reduced seizures and restored molecular balances in a mouse model of FXS. The study validates the importance of studying astrocytes in FXS r...
Researchers created an atlas detailing the development of brain blood vessels from birth to adulthood, revealing three distinct stages. The Lambada atlas provides a high-resolution map of vascular development, enabling researchers to explore the developing brain in 3D.
Researchers propose a temporally developmental continual learning framework inspired by human brain development, enabling cross-domain learning across perception, motor control, and interaction tasks. The approach achieves stable and strong continual learning performance while reducing network size and mitigating catastrophic forgetting.
Researchers developed a new sensor called CAMEO to monitor electrical activity in human cerebral organoids, facilitating research into neurodevelopment and genetic disorders. The device is made of carbon nanotube strands, enabling low-cost and scalable monitoring.
The NIH grant will support the creation of a comprehensive long-term dataset on Hispanic and Latino brain aging, examining the factors that matter most for healthy cognitive aging. The study aims to understand how Alzheimer's disease, vascular injury, and other brain changes develop over time in Latino adults.
Researchers created a pioneering database to map neocortical development across species using multiomic data from 188 studies. They discovered that humans take longer than mice to reach full molecular maturity, and gene regulation plays a key role in brain disorders.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have created a detailed cellular roadmap of human brain development, utilizing data from nearly 200 studies and 30 million cells. The atlas provides insight into genetic links and pathways involved in conditions like autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers discovered that mild hypoxia shortly after birth hinders learning and memory into adulthood through altered neuron-to-neuron communication in the hippocampus. The study also found a second protein involved in hypoxia's effects on this channel's functioning, which was restored when targeted.
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...
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 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.
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.
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 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.