Articles tagged with Developmental Neuroscience
Scientists have discovered key circuit changes that lead to the maturation of reliable brain activity patterns in response to visual experience. The findings suggest that the brain develops a modular organization, with patches of neurons activating together in response to specific features, allowing for efficient learning and adaptation.
New research suggests that rapid brain growth in marmoset infants, similar to human babies, enables them to learn language through feedback from caregivers. This learning strategy makes humans an oddity within the animal kingdom.
A unique toggle switch was identified to assign divergent cell fates and drive assembly into cellular 'neighborhoods' in olfactory stem cells, integrating signaling at multiple scales. This finding reveals how stochastic signaling networks regulate sustained neurogenesis in the intricate organ system of the human nose.
Researchers discovered that disordered regions of the ZFTA-RELA fusion protein cause the formation of droplets within cells called condensates, which are essential for ependymoma development. The study provides a new therapeutic frontier by targeting the interacting partners within these condensates.
Researchers found that brain areas typically involved in hand tool use are still active when individuals use their feet, indicating a more flexible organization. This organization can arise without typical motor experience, providing evidence for action-type as a core driving factor in motor organization and development.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have identified a specific genetic region called HAR123 that promotes human-specific cognitive flexibility, unlearning and replacing knowledge. The study offers a molecular explanation for radical changes in the human brain over evolution.
A $1.1 million grant supports a natural history study for MCHS, collecting vital information about the condition to inform future clinical trials of therapies. The Volāre Study aims to provide baseline developmental trajectory information and establish infrastructure for multicenter clinical trials.
Researchers identified a key neural switch that controls instinctive behaviors, fine-tuning the brain for survival based on environment. By comparing two deer-mouse species, they found a hypersensitive response in mice living in densely vegetated environments.
The largest neuroscience event will convene in San Diego from November 15-19, featuring over 10,000 presentations on various topics. Registered journalists will gain access to cutting-edge research, expert interviews, and press-only events.
A study found that evaluators' musical experience influences the sight-over-sound effect, reducing its impact for those with auditory expertise. The study used Japanese high school brass band competitions and found no significant evidence of the effect in musicians, but a stronger presence in non-musicians.
Researchers have discovered that ascidians measure time to adulthood by accumulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), ensuring a reliable timing of metamorphosis. The study's findings provide insights into time-measurement mechanisms in other organisms and may aid in aquaculture and marine biofouling control.
Researchers identified four distinct groups of autism linked to specific genetic variants and biological processes. The study's person-centered approach analyzing phenotypic and genotypic data from SPARK enabled more precise diagnoses and personalized support.
Dr. Xuyu Qian's pioneering research using MERFISH technology created an unprecedented developmental atlas of the human cerebral cortex, analyzing over 18 million single cells. His work aims to identify mechanisms disrupted in conditions like malformations and autism spectrum disorder.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that neurons in mice brain rewire and refine their connections to integrate visual signals from both eyes over a 10-day period. The researchers found that only 40% of the initial synapses survived, with 24% added and 27% removed, indicating an extensive process of synaptic turnover.
Early life exposure to perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) may increase anxiety-related behaviors and memory deficits in male mice. Researchers found that males exposed to higher doses of PFHxA showed mild developmental changes, including decreased activity levels and increased anxiety-like behaviors.
Laura Cancedda, head of IIT's Brain Development and Disease Research Unit, has been elected to EMBO for her research excellence. She joins two Italian researchers among the new 60 members from 18 countries, who will contribute to life sciences globally.
A study by NYU Abu Dhabi researchers has found a key mechanism that shapes brain development and how it may be disrupted in autism and schizophrenia. The research reveals the role of m6A methylation in regulating protein production in growing neurons.
PTEN-deficient mouse models exhibit ASD-like characteristics due to circuit imbalance and altered behavior. The study reveals specific circuit changes in the amygdala resulting from PTEN loss in inhibitory neurons, providing new insights into the underlying circuit alterations that contribute to heightened fear and anxiety.
A new study explores the connection between grip strength and psychosis, finding that impaired grip strength and well-being share common patterns of brain connectivity. The research provides a unifying brain circuit explanation for psychosis and identifies potential brain targets for new treatments.
A study in mice reveals that only 40% of synapses survive during critical development, with active spines more likely to endure. Clustering of spines also emerges, allowing them to combine activity and enhance visual processing.
Researchers found that co-exposure to bisphenol A and retinoic acid disrupts neurodevelopmental gene signaling, leading to brain abnormalities. The study suggests a potential link between chemical exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
A new study found that babies are born with the ability to sense physical pain but lack the cognitive understanding of it. The research, led by UCL researchers, used brain imaging data from infants and adults to map the development of pain-processing networks in the brain.
A study found that children whose mothers experienced Superstorm Sandy during pregnancy showed distinct brain differences that could affect their emotional development. Prenatal exposure to extreme heat and climate events rewrote critical emotion regulation centers in the developing brain.
A study of over 700 pregnant women found associations between air pollution exposure and increased volume of brain cavities containing cerebrospinal fluid. Prenatal exposure to nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and black carbon were linked to changes in brain structures, including lateral ventricles, cisterna magna, and cerebellar ...
Researchers at City St George's University of London used an android head to test the responses of 14 adult chimpanzees, aged between 10 and 33 years. The findings show that contagious yawning occurs when chimps observe an android yawn, with a graded response depending on the facial expression.
The study reveals that white matter microstructure in infants' brains between 3-9 months predicts their emotional development. Infants with certain brain patterns are more likely to exhibit negative emotions or improved self-soothing abilities.
As people age, their brain connectivity is disrupted, affecting their ability to form and maintain relationships. This study uses brain scans to show how intrinsic functional connectivity networks mediate the impact of age on sociability.
Researchers are still puzzled by the complex interplay of factors involved in tickling, including motor, social, neurological, developmental, and evolutionary aspects. Studies have shown that people with autism spectrum disorder respond differently to ticklish stimuli, offering insights into brain development and differences in autism.
A new study shows that lowering EMC10 levels restores brain function and memory in models of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Reducing EMC10 activity also alleviates symptoms, including improved cognitive deficits and social memory performance.
Salk Institute and UC San Diego researchers captured the first-of-its-kind video of dynein-Lis1 protein interaction, revealing 16 detailed shapes that support designing therapeutics to restore dynein and Lis1 function. The insights gained from this movie will help identify precise locations where drugs can interact with the proteins.
A new study from UC Berkeley reveals that the depth of small grooves on the brain's surface is correlated with increased connectivity between regions involved in reasoning. The researchers found that these tertiary sulci, unique to humans, may help explain individual differences in cognitive performance and serve as diagnostic indicato...
Researchers at VIB-KU Leuven have identified a novel protein complex that regulates the formation of spine apparatus in developing synapses, essential for stabilizing mature synapses and supporting learning and memory. The study reveals that GPR158 interacts with PLCXD2 to control spine apparatus abundance, lifting the brake on synapti...
Researchers have created a library of genetically engineered fruit flies linked to individual neurons in the nerve cord to characterize the circuits controlling wing motion. The study provides a resource for studying motor control of wing movements and courtship behaviors.
A study at Emory University revealed that five-year-olds have the brain system that supports map-based navigation, challenging the assumption that this cognitive ability develops until age 12. Children can recognize landmarks and navigate through a virtual town with remarkable accuracy.
The Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience (SCENE) is a 10-year program that will support projects aiming to uncover how the world shapes representations in the mind and brain. By integrating sensory and motor information, researchers hope to discover fundamental principles of cognition applicable across species.
A randomized clinical trial found no association between immediate skin-to-skin contact and improved neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm neonates. However, the intervention was shown to enhance breastfeeding practices up to 12 months compared to standard care.
The Feihe Pediatric Brain Development Research Initiative at Boston Children's Hospital aims to improve brain development through genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors. The initiative has awarded funding to seven researchers working on projects related to prenatal and postnatal brain development.
Researchers propose a novel machine memory structure and the M2I framework to address excessive data consumption, catastrophic forgetting, and logical reasoning capabilities in large models. The study has potential to revolutionize AI development by mimicking human brain's memory mechanisms.
A breakthrough in medical technology, the wearable stethoscope accurately monitors lung sounds in real-time and detects wheezing. An AI-based algorithm classifies breathing sounds and counts wheezing events with high accuracy.
A large-scale program in Turkey reduced disciplinary problems and improved academic achievement among disadvantaged middle school students. The program's success was attributed to buy-in from challenging adolescents who crave status and social recognition.
Lana Ruvolo Grasser, a Wayne State University assistant professor, has been selected as an Early Career Policy Ambassador (ECPA) by the Society for Neuroscience. She will engage in advocacy initiatives and learn effective strategies to advocate for scientific research and its funding.
A study of human-specific genes reveals their crucial role in brain development, providing new insights into the evolutionary origins of the human brain. The research highlights the importance of these genes in determining brain complexity and size.
The study systematically traces Generative AI evolution from deep learning to foundation models, highlighting four distinct stages and successful applications. Key challenges like safety concerns and theoretical breakthroughs require further attention and development in the field of Generative AI.
Researchers at WVU have discovered a way to fine-tune zinc activity to improve messaging in the brain, with potential applications for treating conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The study identified new compounds that can selectively change synaptic connections by modulating zinc levels.
The Open Brain Institute launches a groundbreaking platform to simulate and study digital brains, empowering researchers to explore brain complexity and diseases. With its virtual neuroscience laboratories, the OBI enables global collaboration and access to cutting-edge virtual labs.
A new study reveals that maternal immune activation can alter hippocampal neuron excitability in newborn rats, with implications for neurodevelopmental disorders. Prenatal inflammation has been linked to conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and depression, and may underlie their increased risk.
Researchers found that lower environmental temperature during pupal development correlates to more synapses and postsynaptic partners in the brain, which affects odor-driven behavior. The study suggests a metabolic theory for brain wiring at different temperatures.
A study published in PNAS found that young children perceive colors similarly to adults, with consistent structure across age groups and cultures. The researchers developed a touch panel interface to evaluate conscious experiences, revealing robustness in their approach.
Researchers found that Hawaiian parasitic flies have developed more sensitive hearing to locate host crickets, improving their chances of survival. The flies' adaptation allows them to detect a range of sound frequencies prominent in rapidly changing cricket calling songs.
Research advances higher-order networks to capture multi-agent interactions, enabling accurate modeling of biological, social, and physical systems. The Dirac-Bianconi operator provides a powerful generalization of the graph Laplacian, encoding local and global interactions across different topological dimensions.
A team of researchers has developed a novel model of the Blood-Brain Barrier, which mimics the complex structure of cerebral blood vessels. This breakthrough enables scientists to study neuroinflammation and develop new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
The research aims to understand how high-risk genes disrupt neurodevelopment and lead to neuropsychiatric conditions, potentially informing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. A national team of researchers will examine the effects of these genes on brain development, connectivity, and behavior in a mouse model.
Dr. Adam Kohn has been appointed as the Chair of Neuroscience at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, succeeding an extensive national search. He will lead research focused on visual processing and neural coding.
Research by Stephen Shea and Alexandra Nowlan reveals that smell and hearing signals merge in the brain's auditory cortex during pup retrieval, a crucial maternal behavior. This study may provide insights into how autism affects social cue interpretation and offer new avenues for understanding human connection.
A recent study demonstrates how DNNs can predict fragrance profiles from essential oil chemical compositions, validating sensory evaluations. The model achieved high accuracy in predicting floral scents and showed promise for generating new and unique combinations.
A clinical trial showed that an antibody blocking Nogo-A protein improves motor function in patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries. The treatment led to significant improvements in voluntary muscle activation and everyday life functional independence. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have successfully completed a phase I clinical trial of VU319, a drug that increases the efficacy of acetylcholine at the M1 receptor, showing promise as an Alzheimer's treatment. The trial demonstrated no side effects and target engagement at the highest dose tested.
A recent study published in Journal of Dental Research examined the relationship between early childhood fluoride exposure and cognitive development. The research found that there were no significant effects of fluoride exposure on cognitive neurodevelopment, with the hypothesis of non-inferiority tests also supporting this conclusion.
A study by Durham University found that bonobos orphaned by the illegal trade in bushmeat and pets can develop social abilities despite early life trauma. Researchers observed 83 bonobos at different stages of their lives, finding that female bonobos' social skills increased with age, while males' decreased, similar to wild interactions.
Researchers use real-time neuroimaging and neurofeedback to modify brain activity patterns, enabling faster learning and treatment of psychiatric disorders. The study demonstrates the ability to inscribe new patterns into the brain without physical manipulation.