Articles tagged with Brain Development
A team of scientists led by Associate Professor Nicola Allen found that astrocyte signaling is directly related to each stage of neuronal development. The researchers determined that astrocytes respond to neurotransmitters produced by neurons to control the timing of signal production, instructing neuronal growth and development.
Researchers at UC San Diego will document brain development from birth through early childhood, focusing on environmental factors and mental disorders. The HBCD study aims to optimize brain imaging technologies and predict future behavioral problems.
A new study reveals that sensitive skin surfaces are overrepresented in the brain due to stronger connections between sensory neurons and brain stem neurons. This mechanism may explain why certain body parts, like hands and lips, are more sensitive than others.
A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that exposure to low levels of organophosphate esters can harm brain development in children, affecting IQ, attention, and memory. The chemicals, used as flame retardants and plasticizers in electronics and baby products, have been widely misassumed to be safe.
A groundbreaking study will follow 7,500 pregnant women and their infants across the US to understand healthy brain development. The five-year study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of normal variability in brain development and identify factors that pose the greatest risk.
Researchers found that depressed adolescents' brains reduce activity in brain areas related to visual processing when shown distressing images. Antidepressant treatment restored brain activity to healthy levels, suggesting a potential vulnerability in adolescent brains.
The researchers will develop techniques to analyze the joint growth of the brain and cranium using MRI scans, helping clinicians better assess and diagnose developmental disorders. The project has the potential to provide invaluable insights into healthy child development, enabling early detection and effective treatment.
A study by Boston University researcher Jennifer Zuk found that the brain's organizational pathways, known as white matter, set a foundation for language learning abilities within the first year of life. This is reflected in children born with higher indications of white matter organization having better language skills five years later.
A study by Umeå University researchers found that a specific light receptor, Opsin 3, plays a crucial role in brain development. The discovery may lead to new possibilities for using targeted light therapy during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neurological disorders in adulthood.
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a new deep learning artificial infrastructure inspired by individual neurons. Their approach uses complex mathematical modeling to replicate the brain's electrical processes and create more intelligent AI systems.
Researchers identify biomarkers that indicate early brain injury in premature infants, highlighting the importance of gut microbiome and immune system balance. The study provides a starting point for developing therapies to prevent or mitigate brain damage.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg generated a comprehensive transcriptional atlas of neonatal mouse meningeal leukocytes, showing that these cells play a crucial role in brain development and pathology. The study also identified novel immune cell subtypes involved in brain injury and provided new insights into the interaction...
Higher maternal weight during pregnancy may be associated with poorer offspring brain development into adolescence. The observational study found a positive correlation between maternal weight and brain development in offspring, suggesting potential long-term effects on cognitive function.
A 17-year study found that children who experienced poverty in preschool had smaller volumes of certain subcortical brain regions, including the hippocampus and thalamus. The researchers also found that these children showed slower growth in these regions over time, leading to poorer cognitive and behavioral outcomes in adulthood.
New research published in eNeuro found that premature babies' brain connections at birth can predict their future emotional and social development. The study discovered a link between the strength of the uncinate fasciculus, a white matter tract involved in emotional regulation, and emotion moderation skills in preschoolers.
A University of Texas at Arlington researcher examines the impact of blunt smoking on teenagers, revealing heightened risks of respiratory disease, addictive behavior, and mental health disorders. The study also finds that blunt use can act as a gateway to other tobacco and nicotine products.
A study has identified a gene that plays a crucial role in brain development, with mutations affecting inheritance patterns. The Plexin-A1 gene is found to have dominant and recessive forms, which can cause significant damage to the brain and eyes.
Researchers have demonstrated that HERV activation can impair brain development, leading to altered cortical neuron function and structure. This finding has important clinical implications, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.
Research led by Ulrike Müller found that APP protein plays a crucial role in normal brain development, learning, memory formation, and social communication. The absence of APP during brain development led to malformations in critical brain regions and impaired behavior tests, including autistic-like behavior.
Researchers found that piglets raised in a laboratory environment developed brain structures and function comparable to those raised on a traditional farm. The study used MRI scans to assess brain development over time and found no significant differences between the two groups.
A first-of-its-kind study with 144 pregnant women found that low parental socioeconomic status during pregnancy affects the developing fetal brain, altering key regions and cortical features. This can potentially impact neural, social-emotional and cognitive function later in infancy.
Researchers found that the HTT gene mutation affects brain and body growth, leading to increased susceptibility to brain cell death, even in children as young as six. Gene therapy trials are underway to slow disease progression and potentially prevent onset by delivering gene therapy to carriers.
Researchers at Tohoku University discovered molecular mechanisms that cause Fragile X syndrome by studying fetal brain development in mice. The study identified key molecules associated with neurogenesis, autism, and intellectual disability.
A Penn State College of Medicine researcher is leading a three-year project to create an atlas of developing mice brains using computational tools and high-resolution imaging. The goal is to better understand brain development and identify key cells that may contribute to disorders like autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers found that excessive folic acid intake during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on the brain development of embryos. The study suggests a 'Goldilocks effect,' where too little or too much folic acid is harmful, and more investigation is needed to determine the optimal dosage for pregnant women.
Research finds that even low levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can impact a child's brain development, leading to anxiety, depression, and poor attention. The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, suggests that any alcohol use during pregnancy is associated with subtle yet significant behavioural and psyc...
PRMT1 controls tissue development and lifespan, as well as stress responses in non-neuronal cells. In neonatal mice lacking PRMT1, severe inflammation is observed, including increased astrogliosis and microglia numbers.
Researchers discovered a population of brain-resident immune cells that transfer information from the body to the brain environment. The presence of these cells is crucial for normal brain development in mice, and their absence affects behavior and brain development.
Researchers discovered brain-resident immune cells that play a crucial role in normal brain development and are essential for the regulation of brain functions. The findings suggest a connection between gut bacteria, white blood cells, and neurological diseases.
A recent study has identified the RAB39b gene as a critical regulator of early brain development, with mutations leading to macrocephaly and autism spectrum disorder. The research used mouse models and human brain organoids to demonstrate how this gene disrupts neural progenitor cell growth and differentiation.
A study identified dozens of new mutations in the DDX3X gene, critical for brain development, and found that half caused loss of function while others disrupted its normal functioning. The research provides insight into how the gene functions normally and may lead to potential therapies.
A new study reveals that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a cellular abnormality that impairs production of myelin, a fatty substance that facilitates efficient electrical communication across the brain. This impairment could lead to abnormal brain development and neurological problems associated with ASD.
New research suggests that moving birth a day early can trigger an early start to widespread neuron death in the developing brain. Delaying birth has no apparent effect on when this cell death occurs, indicating a developmental process takes over in this scenario.
The University of Iowa will expand its decade-long study on brain development in children at risk for Huntington's Disease (HD) with a new $18 million NIH grant. Researchers found that children as young as 6 years old had abnormalities in the striatum, an area known to deteriorate in HD, suggesting compensatory mechanisms.
Researchers found that severe infections in pregnant mothers can impair brain development, leading to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. The study showed immediate and long-lasting effects on neuronal cells, including impaired cortical GABAergic interneuron development.
Researchers have found clues to Huntington's disease origins in early brain development, using a new technology that manipulates human embryonic stem cells. The study takes the developmental timeframe back further than previous work, revealing dramatic effects on tissue structures.
Researchers uncover a molecular mechanism controlling neural stem cell development, enabling precise differentiation into neurons. The discovery sheds light on brain developmental processes and has implications for stem cell biology and cancer research.
Researchers have discovered that a gene called Memo1 is necessary for organizing the scaffolding of brain cells, which plays a critical role in proper brain development. Mutations in this gene are linked to autism and can disrupt neural circuit formation, leading to disorganized layers and neuronal misplacement.
Researchers observed bonobos in swamps foraging on aquatic herbs rich in iodine, a critical nutrient for brain development. This finding suggests that prehistoric humans may have obtained iodine from natural sources, potentially explaining their nutritional needs.
B.J. Casey advocates for reform to ensure healthy psychological development for young offenders in the US prison system. She recommends bail reform and closing facilities that lack rehabilitation components, citing examples like Kalief Browder's tragic case.
Research found thalidomide alters CRBN protein function in neural stem cells, leading to smaller brains and embryonic malformations. Increasing CRBN availability results in larger brains.
Researchers found that Integrator complex proteins regulate Earmuff, a transcription factor that prevents dedifferentiation. This process is critical for healthy brain development. Mutations in human Integrator genes are associated with neurodevelopmental syndrome.
Researchers have identified nine distinct groups of microglia, including some that appear only in embryonic or newborn stages, and others that are involved in myelination. These findings may help uncover new roles for microglia in disease and development, and could lead to the development of therapies targeting specific subpopulations.
A recent study from the University of Turku investigated brain structure in newborns, revealing asymmetry in lobar volumes between hemispheres. The findings suggest that environmental factors during pregnancy may have a lasting impact on infant brain development.
A new study suggests that playing a season of contact sports like youth football can affect normal gray matter pruning in the brain. Researchers found significant increases in power and gray matter volume in the frontal default mode network in high-impact players.
Research using young mice suggests that a nutrient-rich diet during early-life stress can improve brain development and function. The study found that micronutrients could help mitigate the negative effects of early-life stress on cognition, suggesting potential benefits for children's learning and memory abilities.
A recent study published in NeuroImage found that breast milk is associated with improved brain connectivity in premature babies. The research, conducted by the University of Edinburgh, suggests that exclusive breastfeeding for at least three-quarters of hospital days can lead to better long-term outcomes for pre-term infants.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital created a massive database of gene activity in individual cells during embryonic development and after birth, enabling scientists to trace specific developmental trajectories in the cerebellum. The analysis will aid understanding of brain development and provide a foundation for unde...
A recent study found that increased fetal exposure to folic acid due to grain fortification is associated with altered postnatal brain development and psychiatric risk in youth. Cortical thickness on MRI scans revealed significant changes, highlighting the need for further research into micronutrient effects on brain development.
New findings from fetal brain scans reveal that mothers' stress during pregnancy changes neural connectivity in their developing child's brain. The cerebellum plays a key role in this effect, which may be linked to future human health and development.
A review suggests that exposure to thyroid-hormone-disrupting toxins in pregnant women and children may lead to increased incidence of brain development disorders. This has significant implications for child health and underscores the need for targeted public health strategies.
Low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy and breastfeeding have been linked to differences in social behavior in children later in life. The study found that rats born to mothers with vitamin D deficiency displayed abnormal social behaviors, altered brain chemistry, and impaired learning and memory.
Researchers have developed a new method to precisely map brain folds in premature infants, which could lead to early detection of developmental disorders. The technique uses 3-D imaging and computer algorithms to identify subtle patterns of growth and folding, providing a unique fingerprint for each infant's brain development.
A landmark study reveals that maternal immune system activation can shape brain development in babies, with elevated IL-6 and CRP levels correlating with changes in the salience network. The study found significant effects on infant brain function and development into toddlerhood.
A landmark study found that maternal immune system activation during pregnancy can shape brain development in infants, influencing the functioning of the salience network. Elevated inflammatory markers were correlated with changes in brain regions and persisted into toddlerhood.
New research reveals that a father's stress alters his sperm, leading to changes in the brain development of his child. This finding provides insight into the crucial role fathers play in their offspring's brain development.
Researchers found that the modern human brain shape developed gradually within the species, with fossils showing a transition from elongated to globular shapes between 100,000 and 35,000 years ago. This evolution was independent of brain size and was accompanied by changes in early brain development.
A new special issue of Birth Defects Research: The Teenage Brain examines the potential risks of junk food and energy drinks on teen brain development. Research suggests that high consumption of these substances may negatively affect decision-making, reward-seeking behavior, and eating habits throughout adulthood.
A study on chicken embryos reveals that thyroid hormone transporter MCT8 plays a vital role in brain development. The research found that MCT8-deficient cells failed to migrate and proliferate, leading to disrupted brain formation. This suggests that brain lesions associated with a rare neurological disorder may originate before birth.
A new UCSF-led study found that non-representative sampling in pediatric MRI images significantly distorted findings about brain development with age. The research team created a weighted version of the dataset to better reflect the US population, revealing faster-paced brain development and a back-to-front model of brain region develo...