Articles tagged with Brain Development
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.
Researchers identified conserved lincRNAs that affect brain development in zebrafish and found that their human versions have similar functions. The discovery provides a framework for studying lincRNAs, which are abundant but poorly understood molecules.
A recent study has identified a link between rare Disrupted in Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) gene variants and psychiatric disorders, as well as altered brain structure and function. The research reveals that common DISC1 variants impair signaling pathways and disrupt brain development, potentially influencing diagnosis and treatment.
A study by Uppsala University found that Bisphenol A exposure in newborn mice causes permanent changes in brain function, leading to hyperactivity and poor adaptation to new environments. The effect persists into adulthood, affecting the cholinergic signal system.
A new study finds that California pregnant women have the highest reported exposures to PBDE flame retardants worldwide. The research suggests a link between PBDE levels and thyroid-stimulating hormone, which regulates thyroid activity.
Scientists at the Allen Institute have identified complex cellular patterns in brain development, suggesting multiple mechanisms beyond Reelin involved in proper neuron migration. The findings have major implications for understanding brain disorders like autism.
A VIP signaling pathway is key to normal brain development, and environmental factors can affect the final brain size. Researchers used a mouse model to study microcephaly, identifying a cellular and molecular mechanism that disrupts brain development.
Researchers are developing targeted treatments for serious disabilities like autism and schizophrenia by studying gene regulation networks in the cerebellum. The goal is to identify key genes involved in brain development and develop new drugs and cognitive therapies.
A study reveals distinct brain development patterns between Neanderthals and modern humans, particularly after birth. The findings suggest that unique early brain development in modern humans may underlie cognitive differences.
A recent study found that the brains of newborn humans and Neanderthals are similar in size and appearance, but differ significantly in shape after birth. The differences reflect changes in brain circuitry and may underlie cognitive differences between the two species.
A study found that children with newly diagnosed epilepsy have significantly slowed expansion of white matter volume compared to healthy children. This reduced volume may affect brain connectivity and cognitive development, leading to impaired executive function and mental tasks.
Researchers found that Cdk5rap2 and pericentrin work together to regulate neural growth in the developing brain. Loss of these proteins leads to genetic disorders characterized by abnormally small head circumference. The study may offer insight into human evolution and provide potential treatments for related diseases.
A new study by Uppsala University researchers Elena Jazin and Björn Reinius found that genetic expression in cerebral cortices exhibits sex-based differences, which are thought to be associated with later divergences in brain development. The study suggests that genes on the Y chromosome play a crucial role in these differences.
Research at Georgetown University Medical Center found that APP plays a critical role in brain development, connection of synapses, and dendritic spine development. Overproducing APP can lead to Abeta plaques and cognitive decline, highlighting the importance of maintaining balance in APP protein expression.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered a genetic link between childhood brain development and adult-onset epilepsy, highlighting the fragility of the brain during early childhood. The study identifies a new pathway controlling neuron circuit maturation, which may lead to new therapies for this condition.
A study at Penn State has identified over 16,000 active genes in mouse brains during embryonic development and post-natal stages. These genes are linked to cognitive and sensory abilities and may hold the key to developing treatments for neurological disorders such as autism and Alzheimer's disease.
A new study published in Neurology found that prenatal meth exposure is associated with abnormal white matter structure and maturation in the developing brain. This can lead to delays in developmental milestones, increased stress and lethargy, and poorer quality of movement in infants.
A new study published in Neurology has found that prenatal methamphetamine use is associated with abnormal brain development in children. The research used MRI scans to compare the brains of 29 children exposed to meth in utero with 37 unexposed children, revealing differences in white matter structure and maturation.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed miniature power chairs that infants can control, enabling children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida to explore their surroundings. This breakthrough technology has the potential to significantly impact brain development and learning abilities in these children.
The study identified a brain-specific enhancer that drives expression of the Shh gene in the hypothalamus, which regulates cell division of adult stem cells. A mutation in this enhancer sequence was found to cause a significant reduction in Shh activity, leading to holoprosencephaly.
Endogenous cannabinoids play a crucial role in establishing nerve cell connections, which may be impaired by maternal cannabis use. This discovery bolsters knowledge of normal brain development and sheds light on potential cognitive deficits in offspring.
A large-scale study reveals that healthy children outperform previously reported norms in cognitive function, with income affecting IQ and academic achievement. The study also found that age predicts performance on most tests, but adolescence sees a leveling off of cognitive development.
U of MN researchers have shown that early brain development is tied to the severity of adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases like spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. The study suggests doctors may be able to target treatment to coincide with critical times in development.
Researchers found a key region in the brain of primitively social paper wasp is better developed in dominant females than in subordinate ones. In contrast to highly social species, where age and foraging tasks influence brain development, dominance interactions dictate task performance in primitively social colonies.
A precautionary approach is being used in the EU to regulate industrial chemicals that can affect brain development, particularly in pregnant women and young children. Exposure to such chemicals has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and cerebral palsy.