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Breastfeeding duration associated with cognition

A new study published in PLOS ONE found a significant association between breastfeeding duration and cognitive test scores in children up to age 14. After adjusting for socioeconomic position and maternal cognitive ability, the researchers discovered that longer breastfeeding durations were linked to higher cognitive scores.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 25, 2022

Study shows sharing behavior among young children may be related to their counting skills

A new study found that symbolic counting skills are strongly related to young children's fair sharing behavior. Researchers developed a counting intervention that improved sharing behavior in preschoolers, suggesting that learning to count may be a key factor in developing this social skill.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·TypeObservational study·DateApr 27, 2022

Parental type 1 diabetes can affect children’s cognitive development

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that having a parent with type 1 diabetes may be linked to lower school performance in children. The research involved over 622,000 Danish children and suggested a negative association between parental type 1 diabetes and cognitive development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 26, 2022

Machine learning predicts conduct disorder in kids

A new study uses a machine-learning approach to assess risk factors across biological, psychological, and social domains to predict the development of conduct disorder in children. The model correctly predicted CD two years later with over 90% accuracy.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2022

Longitudinal data from India reveals that low-birth-weight infants experience lower test scores compared with normal birth weight infants

A study using longitudinal data from the Indian Young Lives survey found that low-birth-weight infants experienced lower test scores compared to normal birth weight infants. The study estimated a 10% increase in birth weight corresponds to a 0.11 standard deviation increase in cognitive test scores at ages 5-8 years.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·JournalEconomic Papers A journal of applied economics and policy·DateMar 28, 2022

Study shows high prevalence of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder after COVID-19

A study tracking 425 patients post-COVID-19 found high prevalence of cognitive deficits, psychiatric impairments, and significant memory decline. Researchers observed no correlation between the severity of the disease or socio-economic factors with psychiatric alterations, suggesting a possible link to delayed inflammatory processes.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGeneral Hospital Psychiatry·DateFeb 15, 2022

Smartphone reminders can improve memory for older adults with dementia

A recent study found that using personal assistant applications on smartphones can significantly improve memory in older adults with dementia. The researchers trained participants to use the technology to receive reminders about daily events and activities, resulting in improved memory performance.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 7, 2022

Social connectedness, sleep, and physical activity associated with better mental health among youth during the COVID-19 pandemic

A longitudinal survey of over 3,000 adolescents aged 11-14 found that supportive relationships with family and friends, physical activity, and better sleep helped shield against the pandemic's negative impact on mental health. Girls were more likely than boys to experience psychological distress during the pandemic.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJan 24, 2022

Reducing air pollution could lower dementia risk

A new study found that reducing air pollution can lower dementia risk among older women by decreasing their likelihood of developing dementia. The benefits were consistent despite differences among participants in age, geographic area, socioeconomic background, and other factors.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJan 10, 2022

Timing of brain injury in pregnancy, birth may impact motor and language outcomes, UCSF study finds

A new UCSF study found that the neural connections of newborns with two different kinds of brain injuries were linked to significantly different developmental outcomes years later. CHD newborns had worse language function at 12-18 months and worse cognitive, language, and motor function at 30 months compared to HIE infants.

Autism can be identified as early as the first year of life

Researchers found that infants with autism symptoms can show significant improvement in just a few months through targeted therapeutic interventions. The studies suggest that bridging the gap between early detection and intervention may significantly reduce the severity of lifelong developmental deviation.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalInternational Journal of Pediatrics & Neonatal Care·DateDec 28, 2021

White matter microstructure reveals developmental risk for psychosis

A new study found that white matter structural tracts are relatively stable throughout typical development, but show increased instability in children with psychosis spectrum symptoms. The integrity of these tracts was lower in children with psychosis and associated with cognitive function.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 22, 2021

Self-administered cognition test predicts early signs of dementia sooner

A new study developed by researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that a simple, self-administered test can identify early signs of dementia sooner than the most commonly used office-based standard cognitive test. The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE test) accurately identified patients with mil...

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalAlzheimer s Research & Therapy·DateDec 6, 2021

Latte lovers rejoice! Study reveals drinking coffee could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

A long-term study has revealed that drinking higher amounts of coffee may make you less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The study found an association between coffee and several important markers related to Alzheimer’s disease, including executive function and amyloid protein accumulation in the brain.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·TypeSurvey·DateNov 23, 2021

Inadequate sleep is bad for preteens’ brains

A study from Boston Children's Hospital found that inadequate sleep can jeopardize brain organization in early adolescence, leading to deficits in cognitive processes such as attention, reward, and memory. The research identified racial disparities in the impact of sleep on brain networks, with non-white participants experiencing dispr...

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalCerebral Cortex Communications·DateNov 22, 2021

Stereotypes in STEM fields start by age six

A new study by the University of Houston researcher found that gender stereotypes in computer science and engineering begin at age six, leading to a lack of representation of girls and women in these fields. The study suggests that introducing high-quality STEM activities in elementary school can help close the gender gap.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Persistent, distressing psychotic-like experiences associated with impairment in youth

A new study found that children with persistent, distressing PLEs show impaired cognition, higher levels of psychopathology, and delayed developmental milestone achievement compared to those without these experiences. The researchers highlight the need for early intervention and support for youth who report these experiences.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateNov 17, 2021

Studying the placenta to gain a better understanding of febrile seizures in children

A Québec research team studied the expression of three families of genes in the placenta and found associations with febrile seizure characteristics. The study, led by Professor Sarah Lippé, may help understand the underlying mechanisms of febrile seizures and their impact on children's cognitive development.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalJournal of Neuroendocrinology·DateNov 16, 2021

As we develop, the brain connects lessons learned differently

A new study found that adults and children make inferences about connections between experiences in different ways. Children create separate memories and compare them to make inferences, while adults build integrated memories with inferences already baked in. This difference may be due to differences in brain development and maturation.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2021

Can't find your keys? You need a chickadee brain

Scientists have identified a genetic component underlying the spatial memories of Mountain Chickadees, which rely on these abilities to survive harsh winters. The study used genetic sequencing and behavioral tests to show that natural selection is shaping chickadee memory.

SourceCornell University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2021

Interactive floor system makes tracks in encouraging children’s play

Researchers developed an interactive system using floor projections that respond to the player's movements to encourage children's imagination and engagement. The system was evaluated in a study, revealing that unrealistic interactions stimulate children's imaginations more than realistic interactions.

SourceKobe University·JournalInternational Journal of Child-Computer Interaction·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2021

Using Disney movies to help with child development

Researchers found that Disney films combine entertainment with life lessons about love, friendship, and social values. The study suggests using Disney movies as tools for parents to improve communication with children about difficult topics, such as death, loss, and acceptance of differences.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalChild and Adolescent Social Work Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 14, 2021

I’m not a little kid anymore! 10-year-old children act like adults, giving more credit to the opinion of adults who have previously endorsed their ideas.

A study published in Royal Society Open Science found that 10-year-old children follow social norms and reciprocate consideration from adults. Children of this age tend to behave more like adults, giving weight to adults' opinions if they are credited, whereas younger children trust their own decisions independently of adult behavior.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

Heterogeneous development of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome-associated microcephaly

A new study published in PLOS ONE found that children born with congenital Zika Virus-related microcephaly have varying levels of neurodevelopmental impairment. The researchers used a routine neurological assessment to track the children's development, revealing differences in cognitive and motor skills. The findings suggest that HINE ...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateSep 15, 2021

The relationship of education and income to brain and cognition varies across groups of people

A large study found that education and income have varying relationships with brain volume and cognitive scores across different populations. The associations were strongest in childhood development, suggesting socioeconomic status may not specifically protect the brain from aging effects.