Articles tagged with Brain Development
A recent study identified a gene associated with schizophrenia risk that plays a critical role in early brain development. The gene, ZNF804A, regulates essential processes such as protein translation and neuronal migration. Understanding its function could lead to more effective treatments for the disorder.
Researchers found that maternal inflammation can lead to changes in the fetal brain, particularly in the amygdala, which plays a crucial role in emotional processing. This association has been linked to impaired impulse control and an increased risk of psychiatric disorders.
Researchers have found a close link between early brain developmental events and changes in cognitive function in adulthood. Disruptions to the ability of developing brain cells to form connections were associated with increased fear-related memories.
Research from the UNC School of Medicine found an association between certain microbial communities and higher levels of cognitive development. Infants with high levels of Bacteroides had better cognitive scores, while those with diverse gut microbiomes performed worse.
A new study from Newcastle University shows that the exact time of neuron development and its position in the brain are key to forming neural connections. This understanding can lead to better diagnosis and treatment of developmental diseases like schizophrenia, autism, and ADHD.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered a link between complement C3 signaling and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. In preclinical models, mice with C3 deficiency showed improved cognitive function despite accumulating amyloid plaques, suggesting modulating immune response could combat the disease.
Researchers are using innovative approaches, such as a scientific journal for kids, to convey complex nutrition research on infant brain development. The goal is to inspire critical thinking in young readers and make science more accessible to the broader public.
Researchers found that maternal immune activation alters the activity of multiple genes and pathways in the fetus's brain, including those important for autism development. This effect may be similar to known biology behind conditions like autism.
Researchers found activation of maternal immune system during pregnancy alters expression of key genes and processes associated with autism, leading to potential neurological repercussions. MIA-induced effects involve single genes and pathways essential for early fetal neurodevelopment.
A study found that in utero environmental factors, such as placement in the womb and access to nutrition, affect cortical structure and lead to differences in brain volume by teenage years. Epigenetic processes also play a role in this relationship.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a piglet model to study nutrition's effects on infant brain development and behavior. The new review article highlights several studies on pediatric nutrition, including those that assess brain development outcomes using advanced MRI methods.
Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke even before conception appears to impair fetal brain development throughout pregnancy, damaging regions involved in learning and memory. The impact was most severe with exposures occurring in late gestation, but adverse effects also occurred when mothers were exposed prior to conception.
Research shows that brain maturation varies by individual and region, making it difficult to pinpoint a static baseline for maturity. Leah Somerville highlights the importance of considering brain development in policy-making decisions.
Studies found that early life stress associated with poverty and lack of familial support may lead to lower response to rewards, increased vulnerability to depression in children, and altered brain development. Positive maternal support appeared protective against these adverse effects on brain development.
Researchers at SDSU found that brain connections in individuals with autism are more symmetrical across hemispheres, impacting cognitive development. This asymmetry may contribute to difficulties in assembling information into a cohesive narrative.
A new study found that sleep deprivation in children increases slow-wave activity in posterior brain regions, suggesting these areas may be more susceptible to lack of sleep. The research also discovered a correlation between sleep loss and myelin content, indicating the potential for temporary effects on early brain development.
A University of Georgia research team found that participation in the Strong African American Families Program enhances brain development in regions promoting learning, memory, and stress tolerance. This prevention program strengthens family relationships and supportive parenting among African-American families living in poverty.
Researchers at Binghamton University studied brain activity in over 450 children ages 7 to 11, finding significant changes in brain signal complexity from year to year, particularly in frontal brain regions. These changes can potentially benchmark normative brain development and help identify early warning signs for mental illness.
A new study documents abnormal brain development in offspring of a non-human primate infected with Zika virus during pregnancy. The findings provide a model for testing therapeutic interventions to prevent fetal brain injury caused by the virus.
The Baby Connectome Project will investigate how the human brain develops from birth to early childhood, using non-invasive MRI scans of 500 children. The study aims to uncover factors contributing to healthy brain development and provide a comprehensive picture of brain connectivity.
Researchers have created a detailed molecular atlas of primate brain development, revealing key differences between humans and our close evolutionary relatives. The study provides insights into the genetic code underlying brain development and neuropsychiatric diseases.
A consensus statement from Project TENDR highlights the link between environmental toxins and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and learning disabilities. The alliance calls for immediate reduction of toxic chemical exposures through policy changes and industry action.
A study by University of Tsukuba researchers reveals that dioxin exposure disrupts AhR signaling, leading to slowed neuron migration and altered brain development. This mechanism may explain abnormal behavioral alterations caused by dioxin exposure in laboratory animals.
A study published in eLife identified a novel mechanism that causes abnormal brain development in autism, a group of highly inheritable behavioral disorders. The research reveals how a specific microRNA regulates gene expression to impair brain development, leading to the characteristic symptoms of autism.
Research suggests that starting age of marijuana use can impact brain structures responsible for judgment, reasoning, and complex thinking. Heavy marijuana users who began using before age 16 showed arrested brain development, while those who started after 16 demonstrated accelerated brain aging.
Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz have identified a key gene that drives brain cell development, revealing a complex regulatory mechanism. The discovery has significant implications for understanding neurodegenerative disorders and developing new treatments.
A study by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that former NFL players who started playing tackle football before age 12 had a higher risk of altered brain development compared to those who started later. The study used advanced imaging techniques to examine brain structure in these players.
Researchers at Cardiff University have identified a critical function of the DISC-1 gene that plays a crucial role in brain development and plasticity. The study reveals a vulnerable period in early brain development where failure to bind with specific molecules leads to irreversible effects on later-life plasticity.
Researchers are investigating the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on child behavior, memory, and learning. The four-year study aims to close a gap in research by examining thyroid hormone levels and their association with chemical exposure during pregnancy, infancy, or childhood.
A study found that low-income children had atypical structural brain development and lower standardized test scores. Developmental lags in the frontal and temporal lobes may explain up to 20% of the achievement gap.
Scientists discovered that infant brain development occurs years faster than previously thought, with face perception abilities emerging as early as four months. The study used electroencephalography to track brain activity in response to facial images, revealing a unique right-hemisphere processing of faces.
A study found that high-vitamin maternal diets impact brain development and food preference in male Wistar rat offspring, reducing preference for sweetness. The findings suggest that excessive vitamin intake during pregnancy may affect offspring's dietary choices and potentially other behaviors.
Researchers found a key difference in human and chimpanzee DNA that boosts brain size in mouse embryos. This discovery sheds light on the genetic basis of human brain evolution and may help explain why humans have unique capabilities compared to chimps.
Scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine discovered that autism mutations are connected to a pathway regulating brain development. The study found that specific genes were expressed in different developmental periods, influencing brain growth and behavior.
Researchers found abnormal development of grey matter in Broca's area, the region responsible for speech, persisting into adulthood in children who stutter. The study used MRI imaging to examine brain development in both children and adults, finding a steady decline in cortical thickness not observed in people who stutter.
The Lieber Institute for Brain Development won the grand prize at the National Collegiate Conference for Mahima Sukumar's research on electroconvulsive therapy. The study found that ECS can spur hippocampal neurogenesis, improving behavioral symptoms and brain structural changes associated with major depression.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) can cause alterations in brain development leading to hyperactivity in zebrafish. The chemicals were shown to increase the number of neurons born too soon, resulting in problems with neural connections and circuits.
Using state-of-the-art sequencing technology, researchers identified thousands of differences in gene expression across six life stages and found that genes containing these regions were crucial to the maturation process of neurons during fetal development. The study's findings suggest a 'signature' found in cells from the earliest sta...
New Rutgers research suggests that an overabundance of the NOS1AP protein in developing brains can lead to abnormalities and faulty connections, potentially triggering schizophrenia. The study's findings offer a potential explanation for the biological process of the disease and may pave the way for targeted treatment therapies.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a new online tool to study postnatal brain growth in human infants based on similarities with the piglet brain. The tool, an MRI-based brain atlas for four-week-old piglets, offers a three-dimensional averaged brain and anatomical regions of interest.
Michael Meaney's groundbreaking research shows that nurturing affects gene expression, leading to increased stress response and other problems in children who face harsh early environments. The award supports his ongoing research into psychosocial interventions and social policy measures for better child development.
The partnership aims to identify and support sustainable approaches to protect and nurture early brain development, ultimately increasing human capital by transforming impoverished communities. Funding of $2.9 million supports 19 projects in 8 countries, with a focus on improving maternal, newborn, and child health.
A new study published in Radiology found that moderate and late preterm birth is associated with smaller brain size and less developed myelination, suggesting a disruption in the expected trajectory of brain growth. The research provides insight into brain-behavior relationships in this group of children.
A York University study found that abnormal lipid molecules in prenatal brain development can affect neural pathways, triggering autism. Environmental factors such as chemical exposure and medication use can also impact these lipids.
Research from the University of Adelaide has confirmed that gene USP9X is crucial for early human brain development and intellectual disability. Mutations in this gene disrupt normal brain cell functioning, leading to disorders such as epilepsy and autism.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health identifies toxic chemicals as a major contributor to neurodevelopmental disabilities among children. The researchers propose mandatory testing and international regulation to control the use of these substances.
Researchers found that a protein molecule on stem cells interacts with extracellular matrix and thyroid hormones to promote brain growth. Iodine deficiency in pregnant women can lead to abnormal brain development due to the lack of thyroid hormones.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a brain development index from MRI scans that captures normal brain maturation patterns. The study shows a relationship between cognitive development and physical changes in the developing young brain, allowing for early detection of subtle developmental abnormalities.
A new study reveals that queen paperwasps have smaller visual processing brain regions than workers, suggesting environmental factors shape caste differences. The research highlights the importance of considering individual brain differences within insect colonies for studying neuroecology.
Research at the University of Montreal found that even 20 minutes of moderate exercise three times a week during pregnancy enhances brain activity in newborns. The study suggests that this early stimulation can lead to improved cognitive and motor development in children.
Researchers discovered baby owls spend large amounts of time in REM sleep, similar to human infants, and this changes as they age. The team also found a link between the expression of a melanism-related gene and sleep patterns, suggesting that brain development may influence adult traits.
A new eight-week intervention involving Head Start children and their parents produced significant improvements in attention, brain functions, and parental stress. The program's focus on selective attention and positive parenting practices led to improved cognitive abilities and reduced stress levels.
A new study from SDSU found that autism affects a broad range of sensory and motor systems, not just social abilities. The research suggests that the diagnostic criteria for autism may fail to consider the full spectrum of problems children with autism experience.
The brain develops sensory regions through a combination of genetic and thalamic input. Thalamic input is essential for the differentiation of visual areas, contradicting previous dogma that genetics alone determine cortical architecture.
Researchers investigate early social experiences and their impact on adolescent brain function, exploring factors like negative life events and relationship quality. The study aims to understand long-term associations between early social experiences and later brain development.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that genes linked to autism and schizophrenia are only switched on during early stages of brain development. Researchers used advanced techniques to map gene activity in mouse brains, identifying key populations of subplate neurons and shedding light on th...
A new study reveals that the primary cilium plays a crucial role in guiding interneurons to their correct locations during brain development. This navigation system is disrupted in individuals with Joubert syndrome, a rare neurological disorder linked to autism spectrum disorders and brain structure malformations.
A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that natural birth triggers the expression of a protein called UCP2 in the brains of newborns, improving brain development and function in adulthood. In contrast, C-sections impaired UCP2 expression, leading to reduced hippocampal neuron development and related behaviors.
Researchers detected significant differences in brain development in high-risk infants who developed autism starting at age 6 months. White matter tract development was found to be the key difference between those with and without autism.
Researchers have shown that microglia in the brain target and remove unused connections between brain cells during normal development. The study highlights the newly found importance of the immune system in shaping brain wiring.