Articles tagged with Developmental Neuroscience
A new study reveals that combinations of multiple genetic factors determine the risk and severity of symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Researchers analyzed 37,375 individuals from 11,213 families to understand how rare mutations and common genetic variation contribute to ASD.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have made significant progress in developing blood tests for Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment. The latest study, published in Nature Medicine, explores the utility of phosphorylated tau (P-tau) blood biomarkers to aid in early detection and improve disease management.
A study by Kyushu University researchers has analyzed the development and genetic profile of a set of cells that construct the brain's immune system. The findings reveal that meningeal macrophages develop in the same way as other microglia, but perivascular macrophages originate from meningeal macrophages after birth.
A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai discovered how the brain uses a group of neurons in the frontal lobe to monitor performance, enabling humans to learn from mistakes and develop specific skills. This mechanism allows for flexibility in learning new tasks and adjusting focus based on conflict or difficulty encountered.
Researchers discovered that mosquito brains use a surprisingly simple mechanism to recognize human odor, involving just two nerve centers. The team identified the specific compounds decanal and undecanal as key components of human scent, which are also present in other mammal odors.
The latest neurophotonic tools and techniques are reviewed in a new status report, covering advances from molecular nanoprobes to cortical column imaging. The report provides an overview of current state and future directions for brain science research.
A new Cambridge study has discovered that the sex of a fetus can affect placenta function, diet-induced maternal obesity, and stress. Designing sex-specific therapies and personalized lifestyle interventions could have lifelong health benefits for children.
Researchers have identified the complete series of 10 factors that regulate the development of brain cell types in the visual system of fruit flies. This discovery opens new avenues of research to understand how brain development evolved in different animals and holds clues for regenerative medicine.
A study found a shift in the profile of specialized lipid mediators from pro-resolving to pro-inflammatory in patients with cognitive impairment, correlating with severity of cognition impairment. The researchers identified novel mechanisms of brain health and potential therapeutic targets for slowing down Alzheimer's disease onset.
A novel 'rational' neural network reveals underlying mathematical equations through Green's functions, enabling humans to understand machine-generated findings. This breakthrough in partial differential equation learning holds promise for advancing scientific exploration of weather systems, climate change, and more.
Neurobiologist Marion Silies is investigating how various visual systems adapt to specific environments and behavioral conditions. She will use fruit flies as an animal model to understand visual processing mechanisms and their adaptation to differing conditions.
H. Alex Choi receives NIH grant to develop protein biomarkers for delayed cerebral ischemia, a complication after subarachnoid hemorrhage that affects approximately 50,000 Americans annually. The goal is to predict which patients will worsen and identify biological processes causing worsening patients.
A study published in Nature found that people raised in rural areas outperform those from cities, particularly grid-pattern streets, in navigating spatial environments. This suggests that the simplicity of rural street networks influences navigational abilities.
Researchers at Niigata University identified a novel Olig2 binding protein called Ddx20, which regulates RNA metabolism and transcription. Ddx20's interaction with Olig2 helps maintain cell survival and prevents apoptosis in neural progenitor cells.
Cedars-Sinai researchers identified two types of brain cells that divide continuous human experience into distinct segments, enabling the brain to recall memories. The discovery provides new hope for treatments of memory disorders like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
A new study by EPFL researchers finds that stress during early adolescence leads to increased body fat and reduced sociability in males, but not females. The researchers identified a biological link between stress-induced fat gain and impaired brain function, specifically the NAD+/Sirtuin-1 pathway.
A study in mice reveals how the Kdm6b gene influences motor neuron development into subtypes with distinct synaptic targets. The research, led by biologists at the University at Buffalo, founds that Kdm6b works cooperatively with proteins Isl1-Lhx3 to diversify motor neurons.
Researchers have developed a new framework to evaluate the health impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemical mixtures. A large cohort study found that prenatal exposure to these chemicals may be associated with language delay in children, highlighting the need for risk assessments to account for mixture effects.
Scientists demonstrate a definitive link between mitochondrial oxidative damage and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease using a transgenic mouse model. The study found that Aβ1-42 aggregation in the hippocampus caused cognitive impairment, while oxidation led to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Researchers found that 30% of fetuses who later developed ASD had heart, kidney, and head anomalies detected during routine prenatal ultrasounds. These anomalies were more common in girls and linked to the severity of ASD. The study suggests that doctors can use these signs to evaluate the probability of a child being born with ASD.
Researchers will use transcriptomics and chemogenetics to identify molecular targets for pain management. The project aims to advance knowledge on pain mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Neuroscientists discover visual experience necessary to specify types of cells that form in brain. Researchers found that exposure to light altered the expression of genes and led to changes in cell connectivity.
Researchers discovered that genome-wide disruptions in Down syndrome cells share similarities with cellular aging or senescence. Anti-senolytic drugs were found to correct these disruptions, improving gene accessibility and cell function in cell cultures.
Researchers assessed short- and long-term effects of stress on rodent models to better understand the brain's response. The study's findings aim to develop targeted treatments for anxiety disorders and PTSD.
A team of experts from Tel Aviv University has identified 5 coronavirus proteins responsible for damaging blood vessels. The researchers hope that the identification will lead to the development of targeted drugs that reduce vascular damage in COVID-19 patients.
Researchers found no difference between kids exposed to language at birth, regardless of sign or speech. Children with delayed language exposure tend to struggle with executive functioning. The study suggests that 'talking' doesn't just mean speech—sign language exposure is equally nourishing for baby brains.
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.
Scientists have developed an improved technique to trace brain connections between neurons in zebrafish using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), enabling the visualization of connected neurons up to five days after infection. This breakthrough could provide insights into brain network connectivity repair after injury or disease.
A new study in mice reveals that fragile X treatment can incur resistance, but also identifies potential strategies to overcome this. Administering mGluR5 inhibitors at a young age and then stopping may produce lasting benefits in cognitive ability.
A study published in Communications Biology reveals that chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes impairs working memory performance by altering the connection between key brain regions. Researchers found that areas critical for forming and retrieving memories were over-connected, leading to errors in remembering correct information.
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.
Anjana Bhat is studying the prevalence and relationship of motor problems in children with ASD. Her research aims to alter the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders definition of ASD by including motor impairments.
University of South Australia researchers create a computer vision system to detect premature babies' faces and vital signs from digital cameras, outperforming electrocardiogram machines. The technology has the potential to replace contact-based sensors, reducing skin tearing and infections.
Researchers manipulated dopamine receptors to understand benefit- and cost-based motivation, revealing complementary roles for D1R and D2R. The study sheds light on the neurobiological mechanism of decision-making and has implications for psychiatric disorders.
A University of Alberta study found that infant boys with a high Bacteroidetes gut bacterial composition scored higher in cognition and language skills. The researchers believe this association may be due to the production of metabolites called sphingolipids, which are instrumental for neuron formation and structure.
Researchers at DZNE's Dresden site develop i3D-Markers, a cutting-edge technology platform that uses high-density microelectrode arrays and 3-dimensional neuronal networks to predict the reaction of neurons to compounds. This platform aims to optimize drug candidate selection and accelerate brain disease development.
Academic institutions must improve support for disabled faculty members, including those with visible and invisible disabilities. The commentary highlights the challenges created by high demands for grant money and frequent research publications, which can lead to reduced funding and staff retention.
Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology are creating a cost-effective and accurate 3D reconstruction sensing system for crop monitoring. They aim to reduce the cost from $500,000 to just a few thousand dollars by using lighter and less expensive sensors.
Researchers found that newborns' brains can process voice pitch but struggle with the spectral and temporal fine structure of sounds. The study's findings suggest that neural encoding of speech sounds develops over time, providing a potential biomarker for early detection of language impairments.
A neural network developed by Skoltech researchers improves credit scoring using transactional banking data, surpassing existing models. The EWS-GCN model processes large-scale temporal graphs directly and aggregates information to predict target client credit ratings.
Researchers developed a classification algorithm that uses orchard data to predict internal browning, surface cavities and fruit firmness in apples with high accuracy. The method shows promise for improving yield and reducing losses in the fruit industry.
A MicroLED neural probe for neuroscience has been developed to control and record neural activity in the brain. The probe uses high-efficiency MicroLEDs to activate neural activity with sufficient light output, enabling researchers to study higher brain functions and their relationship with animal behaviors.
A research team led by Prof. Gordon Cheng aims to develop a 'soft' exoskeleton that can sense user movement intentions and provide real-time feedback, integrating with brain-machine interfaces. The goal is to create an exoskeleton that works as an extension of the human body, enabling users to control their movements with their minds.
Researchers discovered a new epigenetic function for CHD7, which regulates cardiac neural crest cell development. The study also found that a single point mutation in the CHD7 gene can cause severe developmental defects and embryonic lethality.
A new chip has been developed that can be surgically implanted to read neural signals and stimulate the brain with both light and electrical current. The chip is fully wireless and trimodal, allowing for precise control over targeted regions of the brain.
Neural interface electrodes play a crucial role in studying the nervous system and developing potential treatments for diseases. A new set of guidelines has been established to standardize the testing of these electrodes, enabling transparent reporting and promoting an efficient scientific process.
Society for Neuroscience recognizes Courtney Miller for her career-long practice of mentoring women scientists, including founding Professional Women's Nexus to provide support and connections. Miller has also achieved significant scientific success, developing treatments for drug addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder.
A new study suggests that targeting a single brain region called the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) could lead to better outcomes for people with depression and anxiety. Over-activity in sgACC underlies several key symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders, but an antidepressant only successfully treats some of the symptoms.
A new tool, DeepTrust, generated automatic indicators of data and prediction trustworthiness in neural networks, addressing the need for trust in AI. The researchers used subjective logic to assess neural network architectures, providing insights into testing reliability and maximizing accuracy.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm that uses the 'slowness principle' to estimate age and ethnicity by ignoring rapidly changing facial features. The system achieves impressive accuracy, outperforming even human experts in face recognition.
A neuroimaging study found that creative insights trigger a burst of activity in the brain's reward system, motivating further creative activities. Highly reward-sensitive individuals show an additional neural reward response associated with intrinsically rewarding creative experiences.
Researchers developed an AI system that evaluates endoscopic mucosal findings in UC patients with accuracy equivalent to expert endoscopists. This may reduce the need for invasive procedures like biopsies, saving time and money for medical institutions.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed a new method to assess hearing by measuring pupil dilation, which is as sensitive as traditional testing methods. The approach has shown promising results in detecting sound in individuals who cannot respond, such as babies and young adults with developmental disabilities.
Researchers developed an innovative method to measure the complexity of image representations in deep neural networks, shedding light on their processing stages. The study found that classification accuracy depends on the network's ability to simplify information, with more accurate results from simplified representations.
Research reveals that maternal psychosocial, physical, and lifestyle stress are associated with distinct offspring health outcomes. Babies born to stressed mothers exhibit reduced fetal heart rate-movement coupling, indicating neurodevelopmental issues.
A biomimetic coating developed by Xinyan Tracy Cui improves the performance of microelectrode arrays, reducing inflammation and increasing recording quality and longevity. The coating is made of a brain-derived neural adhesion molecule and has proven efficacy in establishing a healthy electrode-neuron interface.
Chronic pain leads to depression by suppressing brain reward system, say Hokkaido University researchers. Their study found that blocking excessive CRF signals can increase dopamine neuron activity, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for chronic pain and depression.
A key brain circuit has been identified as a critical regulator of reward cue-related behavior in rats. The study found that this circuit reduces the incentive value of food cues by controlling dopamine release, which may help explain why some individuals struggle to resist temptation.
A review of adolescent brains across species reveals that impulsiveness is a biological adaptation crucial for brain maturation. The human brain undergoes significant changes during adolescence, including pruning of neural connections and strengthening of white matter tracts, which enables optimal brain function in the adult stage.