Articles tagged with Brain Development
A prospective multicenter case-control study found that third-trimester fetuses exposed to opioids in utero exhibited smaller brain biometric measurements and altered fetal physiology. The study suggests a possible link between prenatal opioid exposure and postnatal clinical outcomes.
Researchers at UCLA and UCSF will map gene regulatory regions to understand how genetic variants affect brain development. They aim to build a comprehensive catalog of cell types in the developing brain and identify specific cell types and genomic regions that mediate the risk of brain diseases.
The study proposes a model to understand the complications caused by zika virus infection during pregnancy. The researchers found that zika virus alters protein expression in neural cells, affecting energy production and RNA metabolism, which can lead to defective myelination and microcephaly.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that children who experience a mild traumatic brain injury are more likely to develop emotional and behavioral problems. The study, which analyzed data from thousands of children, revealed a 15-percent increased risk of these problems in kids with a mild TBI.
Researchers found that modern human brains produce more neurons than Neandertal brains, particularly in the frontal lobe, due to a single amino acid substitution in the TKTL1 protein. This increase is attributed to changes in metabolism and membrane lipid synthesis.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have discovered a link between Piezo1 and cholesterol levels during brain development, which may provide new avenues for treating diseases like Alzheimer's. The study found that Piezo1 influences cellular cholesterol metabolism, modulating cell quantity, quality, and organization.
Researchers identified critical period plasticity in the amygdala that can be treated with therapeutic intervention at key developmental time points. Early pharmacological intervention was shown effective in reducing fear-learning in the mouse model.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that better glucose control can improve brain structure and function in youth with Type 1 diabetes. The findings indicate that participants using a hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system showed significant improvement in key brain metrics compared to those receiving standard care.
Researchers mapped brain cortex development from two months before birth to two years after, revealing functional regions and growth rates. The study provides a valuable resource for further research on brain development conditions.
A study by researchers at Keck School of Medicine found that flavored oral nicotine products, such as gum and gummies, are increasingly popular among US teens, with 3.4% having used them at least once and 1.7% in the past six months. The use of these products was more common among Hispanic teens, teen girls, and LGBTQ+ teens.
A study of 2,700 children in the Netherlands found a possible association between maternal smoking and suboptimal brain development among offspring. The research suggests that tobacco use during pregnancy may impact preadolescent brain development.
Researchers at MPI-CBG found that modern human variants cause longer metaphase and fewer chromosome segregation errors in neural stem cells, leading to more efficient brain development. This suggests that some aspects of modern human brain evolution may be independent of brain size.
New research from Thomas Jefferson University shows that early childhood enrichment can reverse the effects of lead poisoning on brain development. Over 3,500 genes in the hippocampus are affected by lead exposure, but approximately 80% of gene expression changes are reversed in animals living in stimulating environments.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that adding erythropoietin to cooling therapy for term newborns with birth asphyxia showed no added benefits compared to cooling therapy alone. In fact, the erythropoietin group had more serious adverse events during the newborn period.
A new study led by the University of Washington strengthens evidence that air pollution can harm childhood behavioral problems and IQ. Researchers found prenatal and postnatal exposure to nitrogen dioxide and small-particle air pollution were associated with poorer child behavioral functioning and cognitive performance.
Research finds that preschoolers' brain maturation improves inhibitory control abilities, with 4-year-olds outperforming 3-year-olds in tasks requiring stopping actions. The cognitive control network's distinct regions and white matter connections are associated with different aspects of self-control development.
Researchers found that socially isolated bumblebees exhibited an increase in affiliative behavior, unlike expected aggression. The brain development of isolated bees showed similarities with group-reared bees, suggesting controlled chaos in the absence of social environment.
Indiana University researchers are using a mouse model to study the effects of cannabis use during adolescence, which could impair working memory and increase the risk of psychosis later in life. The $2M NIH grant aims to develop therapies to treat adverse effects.
A new study reveals that up to 10% of pre-teen children are curious about using substances, with boys more likely than girls to be interested. Parents' rules and home access play a significant role in shaping their children's curiosity, with Black parents being more likely to set rules against substance use.
Duke researchers identify DDX3X gene as crucial for neuron formation and brain development, with dosage-dependent defects leading to developmental disabilities. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying DDX3X syndrome and related disorders, potentially paving the way for therapies.
A new genetic disease has been identified that causes abnormal brain development in children, resulting in severe learning difficulties. Researchers have discovered the underlying cause of the condition by analyzing changes in a protein coding gene called GRIA1, which helps move electrical signals around the brain.
Studies by UC Davis MIND Institute found predictive protein patterns in expecting mothers' blood and links between maternal autoantibodies and higher autistic traits. MAR ASD patterns were associated with autism before birth, with certain patterns predicting autism in previously diagnosed children.
A new study reveals that using portable HEPA filter air cleaners during pregnancy can improve cognitive development in children. The UGAAR randomized controlled trial found that children born to mothers with air cleaner use had higher intelligence quotients and verbal comprehension scores, indicating a potential benefit of reducing exp...
A Rutgers study analyzing brain stem cells of autism patients found irregularities in early brain development, supporting the concept that ASD arises from poor control of brain cell proliferation. The study discovered that some patients had NPCs producing too many brain cells while others had underproduced cells.
A new study reveals that combinations of multiple genetic factors determine the risk and severity of symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Researchers analyzed 37,375 individuals from 11,213 families to understand how rare mutations and common genetic variation contribute to ASD.
A study of over 200 pregnant women found that prolonged stress and depression during the pandemic affected fetal brain development, including reduced white matter and delayed brain gyrification. The findings have major implications for basic science and informing public policy initiatives.
A small study suggests that maternal psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic may be associated with changes in the brain of developing fetuses. The study found decreased brain structure and volumetric measures in fetuses from the pandemic cohort compared to the pre-pandemic cohort.
Two preclinical studies have identified potential new therapies for patients with Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome (AHDS), a brain development disorder that causes severe intellectual disability and movement problems. A gene therapy approach has shown promise in improving cognitive and motor functions, while repurposing a common drug may ...
A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A new study suggests that up to 1 in 4 cases of congenital hydrocephalus may be linked to genetic mutations affecting neural stem cell growth, leading to underdeveloped brains and enlarged ventricles. This paradigm shift could lead to targeted therapies such as gene editing or drugs to optimize neurodevelopment.
Researchers found that hormone fluctuations, particularly estrogen, shape brain development and behavior. Estrogen influences the growth of brain regions, leading to permanent changes in neural circuitry.
A recent Rutgers University study has found that children in families struggling to provide diapers are more likely to have disrupted and shorter sleep periods. The researchers also discovered a strong association between diaper need and an increased risk of childhood obesity, emotional problems, and maternal mental health symptoms.
Researchers used gene therapy to recover the TCF4 gene's function in human brain tissue, rescuing neural structure and function in brain organoids. The study offers promising insights into treating neurological disorders like autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.
A study by Children's National Hospital found that elevated anxiety, depression, and stress in pregnant women can alter key features of the fetal brain, decreasing their offspring's cognitive development at 18 months. This alteration also increased internalizing and dysregulation behaviors.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is associated with elevated inflammatory markers in infants, potentially impacting growth and brain development. Researchers emphasize the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women to avoid long-term adverse consequences for their infant.
A study found that fetuses with single-ventricle congenital heart disease are more susceptible to social-emotional problems compared to those with two-ventricle congenital heart disease. Infants with impaired prenatal brain growth also experience worsened language, cognitive, and motor outcomes by 18 months.
A study at the University of Helsinki found that in utero exposure to mother's antiepileptic or antidepressant medication can lead to widespread changes in cortical networks, affecting local and global brain function. This may have implications for infants' neuropsychological development and future research on environmental factors.
Research suggests that pregnant mothers' environments can influence the structure and function of their babies' brains before birth. A study found that babies born to mothers living in poverty tend to have smaller brains than those whose mothers had higher household incomes. Additionally, exposure to crime during pregnancy may affect b...
Researchers have identified the complete series of 10 factors that regulate the development of brain cell types in the visual system of fruit flies. This discovery opens new avenues of research to understand how brain development evolved in different animals and holds clues for regenerative medicine.
The BrainChart platform benchmarks brain development based on MRI data from over 100,000 individuals, creating a standardized chart like those for height and weight. The tool identifies previously unreported neurodevelopmental milestones and provides a common language to understand brain images from different sources.
Researchers created brain charts spanning human lifespan, revealing rapid brain growth in early life and slow decline with age. The charts use aggregated MRI datasets, covering a range of ages from fetus to 100-year-old adult, and aim to create a common language for describing brain development and maturation.
Researchers have discovered a novel nano-therapy that prevents bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature babies. The therapy uses tiny particles released by mesenchymal stromal cells, which travel to the brain and lungs, reducing damage and improving lung and brain health.
A USC-led study reveals that children with binge eating disorder show abnormalities in gray matter density compared to unaffected peers, indicating a possible link between the disorder and brain development. The findings suggest that treatment may need to address underlying brain abnormalities.
Researchers at Niigata University identified a novel Olig2 binding protein called Ddx20, which regulates RNA metabolism and transcription. Ddx20's interaction with Olig2 helps maintain cell survival and prevents apoptosis in neural progenitor cells.
Researchers observed that chandelier cells, which regulate cortical circuit activity, communicate with other neurons shortly after birth, influencing brain development. This interaction is crucial for normal brain function and may be disrupted in neurological disorders.
Researchers found that blocking an overactive signaling pathway during the first five weeks of life prevents autism symptoms from developing in mice. The study suggests that targeting this critical period could lead to a potential cure for autism.
A recent study found that exposure to complex mixtures of endocrine disrupting chemicals during pregnancy can impact children's brain development and language acquisition. The research, conducted in collaboration with multiple institutions, used a novel approach linking human population studies with experimental cell and animal models.
Researchers at UC Davis MIND Institute found a novel gene linked to autism spectrum disorder in newborns. The study analyzed DNA methylation signatures in the placenta, which reflected fetal brain development and early autism diagnosis.
A new study has discovered that as brains mature, the precise ways in which two key memory regions communicate make us better at forming lasting memories. The findings also suggest how brains learn to multitask with age, with slower oscillations in older participants and faster oscillations in younger ones.
A team of scientists has identified hundreds of new genomic loci associated with brain structure, shedding light on how the human brain is shaped. The study used genetically informed brain atlases to uncover the largest number of genetic variants linked to cortex size and thickness.
Researchers used 3D mini-brain models to study the effects of three autism risk genes on neural formation and development. The study found that despite unique molecular mechanisms, the genes converged on affecting specific types of neurons, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for autism treatment.
A longitudinal survey of over 3,000 adolescents aged 11-14 found that supportive relationships with family and friends, physical activity, and better sleep helped shield against the pandemic's negative impact on mental health. Girls were more likely than boys to experience psychological distress during the pandemic.
Scientists at the University of Missouri discovered that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal brain development. MicroRNAs in the placenta play a key role in regulating cellular functions, including neural development. Researchers believe that microRNA packages could reach the brain through the placen...
Researchers at Waseda University discovered a new protein isoform called Senp5S, which helps regulate Drp1 and mitochondrial dynamics during brain development. The study suggests a novel and vital role for post-translational SUMOylation in neuronal differentiation.
Researchers found correlations between brain morphology and sensory characteristics in adults with ASD, suggesting structural changes may cause sensory abnormalities. The study aims to improve diagnosis and treatment options for ASD beyond behavioral indicators.
A study from Boston Children's Hospital found that inadequate sleep can jeopardize brain organization in early adolescence, leading to deficits in cognitive processes such as attention, reward, and memory. The research identified racial disparities in the impact of sleep on brain networks, with non-white participants experiencing dispr...
A recent study reveals that child maltreatment is associated with altered oxytocin gene methylation, leading to atypical brain structures and function. This finding suggests a potential biological mechanism for targeting during adolescence to improve the lives of victims of childhood abuse.
The HEALthy Brain and Child Development study will enroll 7,500 pregnant mothers and their infants at 25 US sites. The findings will provide insight into how environmental exposures, such as poverty and maternal stress, affect brain development from birth to age 10.
A new study found that adults and children make inferences about connections between experiences in different ways. Children create separate memories and compare them to make inferences, while adults build integrated memories with inferences already baked in. This difference may be due to differences in brain development and maturation.
Researchers identified areas of the infant visual cortex that already show strong preferences for faces, bodies, or scenes, similar to those in adults. This challenges the traditional view that these regions take years to develop, suggesting a more rapid emergence of specialized brain structures.