Articles tagged with Developmental Neuroscience
A new study maps the impact of stressors during pregnancy on the developing fetal brain, revealing a cell atlas and identifying key immune pathways. The research sheds light on how maternal gut-immune disruptions can shape neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
Dr. Maria Margarita Behrens' work deciphers the molecular signatures defining every human brain cell type, shedding light on neural development and psychiatric disorders. Her single-cell epigenomic atlases will enable researchers to target specific cell types with unprecedented precision.
A new study finds that infants' brain activity is influenced by their caregivers' reported income sufficiency, with delayed maturation seen in households where income was never adequate. The research suggests that policies strengthening families' basic needs during infancy may have lasting developmental benefits.
Boston Children's Hospital will provide clinical research coordination for the IMPACT Network, a multisite clinical trial infrastructure enabling rapid and effective therapeutic development for autism. The grant, from ARIA, will support the development of study design protocols, recruitment strategies, and efficient workflows.
Scientists at Salk Institute find protein CCN1, secreted by astrocytes, maintains stable neural circuits in adult brains. The discovery could lead to new therapeutics for brain injury and stroke.
Researchers have identified Tapt1 as a key gene in maintaining the balance between protein synthesis and degradation, crucial for normal brain development. The study reveals that Tapt1, along with its partner Suco, ensures proper neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation.
A team of researchers has reconstructed how the cerebellum establishes its connections with the rest of the brain during earliest stages of life. The work describes the phases in which these neural connections emerge, expand, and are refined, offering a comprehensive map of cerebellar projections across the mouse brain.
A new study found that maternal psychological distress experienced at 1 year postpartum has a stronger association with neurodevelopmental delay in toddlers compared to prenatal distress. The researchers also discovered that experiencing distress during both pregnancy and postpartum periods further amplifies the risk of delays.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are developing tools to gather high-quality brain function data during infancy, enabling studies on brain development and potential risk factors for disorders. The study aims to capture real-time brain activity during natural social interactions.
Researchers identified five phases of brain structure, each supported by four turning points between birth and death, revealing key developments in cognitive performance, neural efficiency, and regional compartmentalization. The study provides context for understanding why brains develop differently at various stages of life.
Researchers found that early brain firings occur in structured patterns without external experiences, suggesting a genetically encoded blueprint. This discovery can help better understand neurodevelopmental disorders and the impact of toxins on the developing brain.
Researchers found a significant link between longer screen time and increased ADHD symptoms, as well as developmental abnormalities in brain structure. The study suggests that excessive screen exposure may contribute to delayed brain maturation patterns in children with ADHD.
A new study reveals that fruit flies have retinal waves of calcium activity during development, shaping their growing eyes and creating a precisely ordered architecture. These waves refine connections in the visual brain while also playing a key role in building the physical architecture of the eye.
A new MIT study reveals that temporarily anesthetizing the retina of the amblyopic eye can restore its neural connections and improve vision in adulthood. The treatment, which has been shown to be effective in infancy and early childhood, may have promising clinical potential for adults with amblyopia.
Researchers identified distinct epigenetic signatures in cord blood linked to increased schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Newborns with higher genetic susceptibility showed differences in DNA methylation patterns, especially in immune-related regions.
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that the mechanical properties of the developing brain play a significant role in synapse formation and electrical signal emergence. The researchers found that softer regions exhibit higher synapse densities, while stiffer regions show lower densities.
Research finds infants with sensorineural hearing loss lack normal left-hemisphere language specialization. Early auditory stimulation and language exposure can help preserve brain development.
Researchers found a novel link between shared brain-gene patterns and autism symptom severity in children with autism and ADHD. The study suggests that focusing on specific symptom dimensions and their biological correlates may lead to more precise recognition and treatment approaches.
A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry found no association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and ADHD. The study offers reassurance for pregnant women, public health agenci...
Researchers have discovered that Batten disease progression varies by sex and age, with male mice showing early auditory problems that improve with age, while female mice experience persistent difficulties. The study provides a new model for tracking brain function over time and testing treatments for this devastating disease.
A new gene editing technique, P3a mutagenesis, achieves near 100% success in creating precise DNA mutations. This method simplifies protein engineering, accelerating biomedical research and reducing costs.
Researchers have created detailed maps of the mammalian brain's developmental stages, shedding light on how brain cells form and mature. The findings provide valuable insights into the critical periods that may help diagnose and treat neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD.
Researchers have developed a new large-scale brain data resource that integrates data from five studies of brain development in children and young adults across three continents. The Reproducible Brain Charts (RBC) project provides a harmonized dataset for tracking changes in brain structure and function, allowing researchers to better...
A high-resolution growth chart of the mouse brain has been created to study key brain cell types and their changes during development. The atlas reveals a dynamic sequence of brain growth and maturation in response to genetics and external stimuli, with implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders.
A new study reveals how prenatal alcohol exposure impairs key brain cells and circuits, leading to cognitive inflexibility and increased risk of compulsive alcohol use. Researchers identified a specific brain cell affected by early alcohol exposure, providing a clear target for developing more effective treatments of FASD.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that adjusting molecular processes can improve memory in older subjects. They used CRISPR-dCas13 and CRISPR-dCas9 to target age-related changes in K63 polyubiquitination and IGF2, two genes linked to memory formation.
A team of UNLV researchers has engineered a new class of cannabidiol (CBD)-like medicines that show powerful seizure-reducing effects. The caraway-seed derived therapies offer a safer and more effective treatment for childhood seizure disorders than existing frontline therapies.
Researchers developed a new gene therapy that reversed symptoms related to SYNGAP1-related disorders in mice, including intellectual disability, epilepsy, and risk-taking behaviors. The therapy successfully delivered a working copy of the SYNGAP1 gene into brain cells using an adeno-associated virus, offering hope for treatment in humans.
Researchers have identified four distinct profiles of Nonverbal Learning Disability, each with different strengths and challenges. The study suggests that current diagnostic criteria may be too broad, highlighting the importance of individualized approaches to care for children with NVLD.
The data release from the HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study offers a detailed look at human brain development in early childhood. The comprehensive data includes information on prenatal health, social and environmental determinants of health, and wearable biosensor data.
A new study from the University of Illinois shows that severe flu infection in pregnant mice leads to a breakdown in placental and brain barriers, allowing potentially harmful molecules to accumulate in the fetal brain. Fibrinogen accumulation has also been linked to neuroinflammatory conditions, and researchers found it accumulated in...
Dr. Alex Tsompanidis proposes placental hormone production shaped human cognitive capabilities, redefining autism origins and neurodiversity. His research could lead to screening protocols and support for children with developmental differences.
Researchers from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified a common process that powers the creation of protein formations that assemble like a 3D puzzle, triggering inflammation and cell death. This 'Catch-22' mechanism may be one of the fundamental reasons why we age.
A $8.6 million NIH grant has renewed funding for the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network project, focusing on cognition, communication, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals with rare diseases. The initiative aims to develop biomarkers, support pilot projects, and foster skilled investigators.
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 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 ...
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.
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.