Articles tagged with Cognitive Development
Wild orangutans learn survival skills through a combination of social and individual learning. The study, published in Science, found that infants engaged in social learning more frequently than individual learning, with social learning triggering subsequent exploration for up to 2.5 hours.
Girls from multilingual and immigrant families are more likely to be delayed in ADHD diagnosis due to language and cultural barriers. This delay can have devastating consequences, including struggles in school, poor mental health, and problems with relationships.
Researchers found that higher eye-blink rates in 3-6 year-olds are associated with improved cognitive flexibility and activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that spontaneous eye-blink rate could be a non-invasive indicator for tracking executive function and brain development in early childhood.
Researchers analyzed 2,826 brain MRI exams and found that individuals living in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods exhibited a higher brain age gap and lower total brain volume. This association was linked to increased risk of memory loss, cognitive problems, and dementia.
Young children's brains are designed to explore and learn through experience, as their working memory system is still developing. This allows them to absorb as much information as possible about the world, making them more resilient to changing circumstances.
Salk Institute scientists found that maternal immune activation leads to epigenetic changes in mouse brains, increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. These changes were particularly significant in areas of the genome associated with autism spectrum disorder.
A new research tool, PGS-TRI, analyzes family data to understand how genetics and environment contribute to autism risk. The tool provides a more precise look at how 'nature' and 'nurture' interact within families, allowing researchers to better understand the complex factors that shape a child's health.
A new study from MIT researchers found that language skills remain stable in older adults, with nearly identical brain activity to young adults, while other cognitive functions decline. The study suggests that parts of the brain specialized for specific functions, such as language processing, may be more resilient to aging.
A new NIH-funded study found associations between higher fluoride levels in public drinking water during pregnancy and lower child cognition scores, particularly in fluid reasoning. The study, which included 2,514 children, suggests that higher fluoride levels may impact cognitive development.
A recent Finnish study found that more screen time since childhood is associated with better cognitive processing in adolescence. The researchers recommend encouraging active thinking and problem-solving through screen use. The study also highlights the importance of balancing physical activity and sedentary time to promote brain health.
A new FIU study reveals that stressed-out parents are more likely to rely on screens for kids' entertainment, while fewer enforce consistent limits. Researchers recommend focusing on media quality and personalizing technology guidelines to create healthy screen habits.
Teaching children emotional regulation and healthy friendships can provide a crucial buffer against social media's risks to mental health and self-worth. Strong childhood friendships are better equipped to navigate digital spaces, reducing the likelihood of online validation-based identity and self-worth issues.
Researchers are developing a smartphone-based platform that combines driving data, personalized coaching and parent engagement strategies to improve driving safety for teens with ADHD. The platform will use telematics to monitor driving behaviors while allowing parents and teens to set shared goals and track progress.
New national standards recommend earlier screening and lifelong monitoring for development and cognition in individuals with SCD, aiming to reduce variability in care. The guidance, developed in collaboration with Children's Colorado, provides a tiered approach to care, including surveillance and evaluation.
A new study from Carnegie Mellon University reveals that baboons and macaques exhibit the same geometric intuitions as young children, suggesting a fundamental similarity in the primate mind. The research found continuity across all groups, including two species of non-human primates, human children, and adult humans.
Researchers discovered that brain regions switch between shared and independent timing, allowing for flexibility in coordination. This finding provides a new framework for understanding how brain regions communicate and enables the development of brain-inspired artificial intelligence and robotic control systems.
A landmark study tracks preterm babies from birth to middle adulthood, identifying early cognitive development as the strongest predictor of who flourishes and struggles. Childhood IQ at age 8 is linked to adult outcomes, with a 15-point increase associated with a 79% reduction in poor economic and social functioning.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have found a way to intervene early in traumatic brain injuries using a natural, gut-derived chemical that prevents post-traumatic epilepsy from taking root. The treatment reduced brain inflammation, improved memory and mood, protected brain cells, made seizures both rarer and harder to trigger.
A new study from Ohio State University found that using screens to calm children has different effects on cognitive development depending on the child. The research suggests that parents need more resources, including access to outdoor spaces and mindfulness tools, to help their children regulate their emotions and develop healthy rela...
A biomaterial scaffold has been developed to recreate a skull stem cell niche, reducing craniosynostosis-related deformities and promoting normal skull growth. The triphasic scaffold maintained skeletal stem cells while supporting bone formation and tissue regeneration.
A new study published in PLOS One found that slower maternal vocal responses at 12 months may predict later childhood behavior disorders such as ADHD. The study analyzed data from 158 mother-infant pairs and found associations between slow maternal responses and increased odds of psychiatric diagnoses by age seven.
A new five-year project at Wayne State University aims to investigate the effects of e-cigarette use during pregnancy on fetal brain development. The research will utilize a state-of-the-art vaping system to model real-world exposures and examine their effects on neurodevelopment.
A systematic review of 73 studies found that early diet may shape cognitive performance and academic outcomes in adolescents. Unhealthy dietary patterns in infancy have lasting consequences for intelligence in adolescence, according to the study.
A new framework, criticome, integrates experience until age 25, reframing autism, schizophrenia, depression, and trauma as developmental disorders. The study suggests that screen-saturated childhoods may produce adult dysfunction, highlighting the importance of early experience in brain development.
Researchers developed a viable homozygous CHD8 mouse model, showing that stronger mutations can dramatically alter male–female autism patterns. The study revealed pronounced autism-related abnormalities in both sexes with severe mutations.
Researchers have discovered that errors in the final step of cell division can cause dramatic changes in developing brain cells, leading to abnormalities such as multiple nuclei and cilia. The study found that a protein called p53 acts as a guardian of brain development by triggering the self-destruction of abnormal cells.
Scientists have identified a new drug target for treating Fragile X syndrome by blocking the EPAC2 brain protein, which improves abnormal brain activity and behavioral symptoms. The study uses genetically engineered mice to simulate the condition and finds that EPAC2 levels rise gradually as the brain matures.
A post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial found high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation in pregnancy to be positively associated with visual memory, verbal memory, and flexibility among offspring at age 10. This strengthens evidence on the association between prenatal vitamin D exposure and childhood cognition.
A study by Adelaide University researchers found that teacher self-efficacy is critical in creating safe learning environments for young children experiencing trauma. Early years teachers play a vital role in supporting children's wellbeing and helping to break cycles of disadvantage.
A study of children aged 8-12 found that only 40% of their relationships are positive or ambivalent, with half still including perpetrators in their networks. Children struggle to discuss traumatic experiences with parents and friends due to fear or lack of trust.
A study by King's College London found that babies exposed to high levels of air pollution in the womb show slower signs of development at 18 months compared to those exposed to lower levels. This is particularly true for premature babies, who experience poorer motor and language skills.
Researchers from the Salk Institute found that astrocytes play a crucial role in fragile X syndrome symptoms. Correcting dysregulations in star-shaped brain cells improved some symptoms, including reduced seizures and restored molecular balances in a mouse model of FXS. The study validates the importance of studying astrocytes in FXS r...
Teenagers who begin using cannabis show slower gains in thinking and memory skills as they grow. The study found that teens who used cannabis showed restricted growth over time compared to those who did not.
Researchers created an atlas detailing the development of brain blood vessels from birth to adulthood, revealing three distinct stages. The Lambada atlas provides a high-resolution map of vascular development, enabling researchers to explore the developing brain in 3D.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University finds that unsupervised screen time during early childhood increases the likelihood of socioemotional difficulties. Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children who spent at least 10-30 minutes alone with devices daily were more likely to experience adjustment problems.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have created a detailed cellular roadmap of human brain development, utilizing data from nearly 200 studies and 30 million cells. The atlas provides insight into genetic links and pathways involved in conditions like autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease.
A study found that the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the development of executive function skills in young children, leading to systemic academic and behavioral challenges. The research, tracking over 3,100 children from age 3 to 11, suggests that supporting executive function may be a key recommendation for pandemic recovery efforts.
Researchers discovered that mild hypoxia shortly after birth hinders learning and memory into adulthood through altered neuron-to-neuron communication in the hippocampus. The study also found a second protein involved in hypoxia's effects on this channel's functioning, which was restored when targeted.
A systematic review of social media platforms reveals that TikTok contains a substantial proportion of misleading information about mental health and neurodivergence, with higher rates of misinformation than other platforms. The study emphasizes the importance of credible sources and evidence-based content to combat spreading false ide...
A new study from Dartmouth College finds that social information can significantly impact how people experience negative events, including physical pain and mentally demanding tasks. When others describe an experience as painful, individuals tend to feel it that way, even when the actual experience is low in intensity.
A team of MIT engineers identified tacit knowledge in volunteers who classified images, shifting focus to easier-to-classify areas without awareness. Bringing this concealed knowledge to the surface enhances experts' performance, suggesting a method for boosting learning experience in disciplines requiring keen observation skills.
A study from the University of East Anglia found that Covid lockdowns disrupted children's ability to self-regulate, leading to slower growth in executive functions. Reception-age children, who normally learn to socialize and navigate classroom routines, showed significant setbacks in cognitive flexibility and self-regulation skills.
A study found that pre-teens with problematic gaming habits are more likely to experience mild paranoia and disturbed perceptions. However, young gamers who felt supported at home and school were less likely to develop problematic gaming habits overall.
Researchers found that children who aren't friends connect better through play when given a task to complete, especially during goal-directed activities. The study, which involved 148 children aged six to eight, shows that connected communication is crucial for social coordination and teamwork.
The Brain Health Prize, a student competition to improve brain health on campus, was won by Shreeyalaxhmee Rao and Riya Acharya's 'Resilience Neighborhoods' project. The prize aims to equip students with brain-healthy strategies through innovative ideas.
A study analyzing data from 44,000 adults found that those with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience substantially higher rates of anxiety and depression. The study also highlights significant healthcare treatment and access barriers facing this population.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that babies with an increased likelihood of autism may struggle to settle into deep, restorative sleep. Those with high sensory sensitivity slept more lightly even in quiet environments.
Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, founder of Center for BrainHealth, was inducted into the Texas Philosophical Society for her groundbreaking work on cognitive neuroscience and brain health. Her leadership has propelled UT Dallas's Center for BrainHealth into an international hub advancing brain health research.
A new study found that warmer nighttime temperatures during pregnancy may be associated with a higher risk of autism diagnosis in children. Exposure to extreme heat during early and late pregnancy increased the risk by 15% and 13%, respectively.
Researchers used AI to analyze brain activity of 130 two-month-old infants, discovering that they can categorize objects in their brains at just two months old. This challenges earlier thought and highlights the richness of brain function in the first year of life.
Researchers have found that babies can detect verb inconsistencies as early as 10 months old, using brain imaging technology. This finding suggests that infants begin to develop an understanding of verbs before they even say their first words.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to air pollution is associated with lower cognitive performance in newborns, with stronger associations observed for black carbon and PM2.5. The strongest effects were seen in boys, suggesting potential sex-specific vulnerability.
A new study from the Stowers Institute has identified a mechanism that makes fleeting moments unforgettable, revealing a critical step in forming long-lasting memories. The research discovered a specific type of chaperone protein that allows proteins to change shape and form functional amyloids that house long-term memory.
A study finds that nearly half of newborns with severe spina bifida experience breathing problems during sleep, which can be detected through comprehensive sleep studies. Early treatment may significantly improve cognitive development in these high-risk infants.
A new study reveals the emotional challenges faced by siblings of people with Prader-Willi syndrome, including feelings of stress, loneliness, and sadness. Siblings often take on extra responsibilities at home and struggle to cope with their brother or sister's behavior and hunger.
Children exposed to high levels of screen time before age two showed changes in brain development linked to slower decision-making and increased anxiety by their teenage years. Parent-child reading may offer protection against these effects.
A new study found that brief, light-intensity exercise significantly improves inhibitory control and mood in children, with potential to enhance learning efficiency. The research, conducted at Waseda University, also revealed that even short periods of physical activity can have a lasting impact on cognitive function.
A new study identifies a distinctive brain activity pattern in children with ADHD, which may be modified using non-invasive brain stimulation and cognitive training. The pattern, known as aperiodic EEG activity, reliably distinguished children with ADHD from their peers.
A UK-based study found that epilepsy can be a primary cause of death in people with intellectual disabilities, with those from ethnic minorities living in the UK being particularly at risk. The research highlights significant disparities in care and service provision, calling for systemic changes to prevent avoidable deaths.
Children who spend a significant amount of time on social media platforms experience a gradual decline in their ability to concentrate. The study found no association between TV watching or video game playing and attention symptoms.