https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/autism/ Autism symptoms and new approaches to treatment. Read current research on autism including early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, genetic factors and more. en-us Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:57:39 EDT Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:57:39 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/autism/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260408225941.htm Scientists are uncovering a surprising connection between autism and ADHD that goes deeper than labels. Instead of diagnoses, it’s the severity of autism-like traits that seems to shape how the brain is wired—even in children who don’t officially have autism. The study found that certain brain networks tied to thinking and social behavior stay unusually connected in kids with stronger autism symptoms, hinting at a different developmental path. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:21:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260408225941.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260408095346.htm A new survey reveals a striking disconnect in how Americans think about autism research. While nearly everyone agrees that studying the autistic brain is essential, most people are unaware that brain donation after death is a key part of making that research possible. Unlike organ donation, brain donation is a separate process, and widespread confusion remains about how it works, when it must occur, and who can participate. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:18:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260408095346.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260407193848.htm Researchers have developed a cutting-edge technique that uses RNA “barcodes” to map how neurons connect, capturing thousands of links with single-synapse precision. The method transforms brain mapping into a sequencing task, making it faster and more scalable than traditional approaches. In mice, it revealed surprising new connections between brain cells that were previously unknown. This could open the door to earlier detection and targeted treatment of neurological diseases. Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:37:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260407193848.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260324024247.htm Scientists have found that your brain separates memories into “what” and “where/when” using two different groups of neurons. One set responds to specific objects or people, while another tracks the context or situation. When you remember something correctly, these groups briefly connect and reconstruct the full memory. This system may be the secret behind how we recognize the same things across totally different experiences. Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:13:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260324024247.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260307155943.htm Researchers have uncovered a surprising molecular chain reaction in the brain that may play a role in some forms of autism. The study suggests that nitric oxide, a tiny signaling molecule normally involved in fine-tuning communication between brain cells, can sometimes trigger a cascade of changes inside neurons. When nitric oxide activity rises, it can alter a protective protein called TSC2, weakening an important cellular brake and allowing the mTOR pathway, which controls growth and protein production, to become overactive. Sat, 07 Mar 2026 20:28:40 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260307155943.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260306145621.htm Researchers have discovered a new way to increase a key brain protein damaged in Rett syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects thousands of children worldwide. Early studies in mice and patient-derived cells show the approach can restore normal brain cell function, raising hopes for future therapies. Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:18:09 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260306145621.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260304184215.htm A new experimental drug is showing remarkable promise for children with Dravet syndrome, a severe genetic form of epilepsy. In clinical trials, the treatment zorevunersen cut seizures by as much as 91% while also improving quality of life for many patients. The therapy works by boosting the function of a key gene involved in nerve cell signaling. Encouraging results have led researchers to launch a larger Phase 3 trial. Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:14:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260304184215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210082921.htm Autism has long been thought of as a condition that mostly affects boys, but a massive study from Sweden suggests that idea may be misleading. Tracking nearly 3 million people over decades, researchers found that while boys are diagnosed more often in childhood, girls steadily catch up during their teenage years. By early adulthood, autism diagnoses among males and females are nearly equal. Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:19:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210082921.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127010138.htm Findings could create new opportunities to treat and study neurodegenerative diseasesScientists discovered that sugar metabolism plays a surprising role in whether injured neurons collapse or cling to life. By activating internal protective programs, certain metabolic changes can temporarily slow neurodegeneration—hinting at new ways to help the brain defend itself. Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:09:25 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127010138.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073920.htm A large, decades-long study suggests that signs of ADHD in childhood may have consequences that extend well beyond school and behavior. Researchers followed nearly 11,000 people from childhood into midlife and found that those with strong ADHD traits at age 10 were more likely to experience multiple physical health problems and health-related disability by their mid-40s. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 07:39:20 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260118233549.htm Researchers found that autistic and non-autistic people move their faces differently when expressing emotions like anger, happiness, and sadness. Autistic participants tended to rely on different facial features and produced more varied expressions, which can look unfamiliar to non-autistic observers. The study suggests emotional misunderstandings are a two-way street, not a one-sided deficit. Mon, 19 Jan 2026 05:31:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260118233549.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116085131.htm Scientists have discovered that the adolescent brain does more than prune old connections. During the teen years, it actively builds dense new clusters of synapses in specific parts of neurons. These clusters emerge only in adolescence and may help shape higher-level thinking. When the process is disrupted, it could play a role in conditions like schizophrenia. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:09:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116085131.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035348.htm Researchers have identified OTULIN, an immune-regulating enzyme, as a key trigger of tau buildup in the brain. When OTULIN was disabled, tau vanished from neurons and brain cells remained healthy. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about tau’s necessity and highlight a promising new path for fighting Alzheimer’s and brain aging. Scientists now believe OTULIN may act as a master switch for inflammation and age-related brain decline. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 03:53:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035348.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260111214444.htm A large genetic screen has revealed how stem cells transform into brain cells, exposing hundreds of genes that make this process possible. Among the discoveries is PEDS1, a gene now linked to a previously unknown neurodevelopmental disorder in children. When PEDS1 does not work properly, brain growth and nerve cell formation are impaired. The findings help explain how early genetic changes can shape brain development and disease. Sun, 11 Jan 2026 21:49:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260111214444.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224630.htm Researchers in Japan built a miniature human brain circuit using fused stem-cell–derived organoids, allowing them to watch the thalamus and cortex interact in real time. They found that the thalamus plays a decisive role in maturing the cortex and organizing its neural networks. Signals from the thalamus triggered synchronized activity in specific neuron types, while others remained unaffected. The system closely mimics human brain development and could transform how scientists study neurological disorders. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:15:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224630.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227082722.htm A major new review has put hundreds of alternative autism treatments under the microscope—and most didn’t hold up. Scientists analyzed decades of research and found little reliable evidence that popular approaches like probiotics, acupuncture, or music therapy truly work. Alarmingly, safety was often ignored, with many treatments never properly evaluated for side effects. The researchers stress that looking at the full body of evidence matters far more than trusting a single hopeful study. Sun, 28 Dec 2025 01:32:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227082722.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225235950.htm Researchers have created a protein that can detect the faint chemical signals neurons receive from other brain cells. By tracking glutamate in real time, scientists can finally see how neurons process incoming information before sending signals onward. This reveals a missing layer of brain communication that has been invisible until now. The discovery could reshape how scientists study learning, memory, and brain disease. Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:05:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225235950.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223084855.htm A massive global genetics study is reshaping how we understand mental illness—and why diagnoses so often pile up. By analyzing genetic data from more than six million people, researchers uncovered deep genetic connections across 14 psychiatric conditions, showing that many disorders share common biological roots. Instead of existing in isolation, these conditions fall into five overlapping families, helping explain why depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders so frequently occur together. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 02:28:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223084855.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251217082505.htm A missing brain molecule may be disrupting neural wiring in Down syndrome, according to new research. Replacing it in adult mice rewired brain circuits and improved brain flexibility, challenging the idea that treatment must happen before birth. Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:25:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251217082505.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210223635.htm Researchers uncovered how shifting levels of a brain protein called KCC2 can reshape the way cues become linked with rewards, sometimes making habits form more quickly or more powerfully than expected. When this protein drops, dopamine neurons fire more intensely, strengthening new associations in ways that resemble how addictive behaviors take hold. Rat studies showed that even brief, synchronized bursts of neural activity can amplify reward learning, offering insight into why everyday triggers, like a morning routine, can provoke strong cravings. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 22:41:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210223635.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251206030752.htm Scientists uncovered a surprising four-layer structure hidden inside the hippocampal CA1 region, one of the brain’s major centers for memory, navigation, and emotion. Using advanced RNA imaging techniques, the team mapped more than 330,000 genetic signals from tens of thousands of neurons, revealing crisp, shifting bands of cell types that run along the length of the hippocampus. This layered organization may help explain why different parts of CA1 support different behaviors and why certain neurons break down more easily in disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy. Sat, 06 Dec 2025 08:07:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251206030752.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251204024236.htm Researchers found that people with anxiety disorders consistently show lower choline levels in key brain regions that regulate thinking and emotions. This biochemical difference may help explain why the brain reacts more intensely to stress in anxiety conditions. Scientists believe nutrition could play a role in restoring balance, though more research is needed. Many Americans already fall short of recommended choline intake, making diet a potential area of interest. Thu, 04 Dec 2025 23:46:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251204024236.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251201085855.htm A high-speed “zap-and-freeze” method is giving scientists their clearest view yet of how brain cells send messages. By freezing tissue at the instant a signal fires, researchers revealed how synaptic vesicles behave in both mouse and human neurons. These insights could help explain why most Parkinson’s cases emerge without inherited genetic changes. The technique may also point to promising new research paths for therapy development. Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:33:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251201085855.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000713.htm Researchers discovered that altering the body’s natural rhythm can help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s damage. By turning off a circadian protein in mice, they raised NAD+ levels and reduced harmful tau buildup. The findings suggest that adjusting the body’s clock may one day help prevent neurodegeneration. Sat, 01 Nov 2025 09:20:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000713.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251019120518.htm A major collaboration between UC San Diego and 23andMe identified genes that shape cannabis use behaviors. The study linked the CADM2 and GRM3 genes to cannabis use and connected these patterns to more than 100 traits across mental and physical health. Researchers say understanding these genetic influences could help prevent cannabis use disorder and guide future therapies. Mon, 20 Oct 2025 01:29:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251019120518.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251004092917.htm Scientists discovered that lifelong social support can slow biological aging. Using DNA-based “epigenetic clocks,” they found that people with richer, more sustained relationships showed younger biological profiles and lower inflammation. The effect wasn’t about single friendships but about consistent connections across decades. Sat, 04 Oct 2025 09:29:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251004092917.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250927031224.htm Researchers discovered that autism’s prevalence may be linked to human brain evolution. Specific neurons in the outer brain evolved rapidly, and autism-linked genes changed under natural selection. These shifts may have slowed brain development in children while boosting language and cognition. The findings suggest autism is part of the trade-off that made humans so cognitively advanced. Sun, 28 Sep 2025 01:44:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250927031224.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012257.htm For decades, scientists believed Alzheimer’s was driven mainly by sticky protein plaques and tangles in the brain. Now Purdue researchers have revealed a hidden culprit: fat. They found that brain immune cells can become clogged with fat, leaving them too weak to fight off disease. By clearing out this fat and restoring the cells’ defenses, researchers may have uncovered an entirely new way to combat Alzheimer’s — shifting the focus from plaques alone to how the brain handles fat. Wed, 24 Sep 2025 23:56:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012257.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907172644.htm Scientists at Stanford have found that hyperactivity in the brain’s reticular thalamic nucleus may drive autism-like behaviors. In mouse models, drugs and neuromodulation techniques that suppressed this overactive region reversed symptoms, hinting at new therapeutic pathways that overlap with epilepsy treatments. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 02:24:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907172644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250829022829.htm Harvard scientists have uncovered that lithium, a naturally occurring element in the brain, may be the missing piece in understanding Alzheimer’s. Their decade-long research shows that lithium depletion—caused by amyloid plaques binding to it—triggers early brain changes that lead to memory loss. By testing new lithium compounds that evade plaque capture, they reversed Alzheimer’s-like damage and restored memory in mice at doses far lower than those used in psychiatric treatments. Fri, 29 Aug 2025 02:57:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250829022829.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233113.htm Scientists at Johns Hopkins have grown a first-of-its-kind organoid mimicking an entire human brain, complete with rudimentary blood vessels and neural activity. This new "multi-region brain organoid" connects different brain parts, producing electrical signals and simulating early brain development. By watching these mini-brains evolve, researchers hope to uncover how conditions like autism or schizophrenia arise, and even test treatments in ways never before possible with animal models. Mon, 04 Aug 2025 23:58:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233113.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233111.htm Your brain has its own elite defense team — and new research shows these "guardian" cells might be the real battleground for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and stroke. Scientists discovered that most genetic risks linked to these diseases act not in neurons, but in the blood vessels and immune cells that form the blood-brain barrier. Mon, 04 Aug 2025 23:41:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233111.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250730030343.htm Sometimes a gentle touch feels sharp and distinct, other times it fades into the background. This inconsistency isn’t just mood—it’s biology. Scientists found that the thalamus doesn’t just relay sensory signals—it fine-tunes how the brain responds to them, effectively changing what we feel. A hidden receptor in the cortex seems to prime neurons, making them more sensitive to touch. Wed, 30 Jul 2025 03:56:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250730030343.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040455.htm Scientists at Princeton and the Simons Foundation have identified four biologically distinct subtypes of autism, using data from over 5,000 children and a powerful new computational method. These subtypes—each with unique traits, developmental paths, and genetic signatures—promise to revolutionize how we understand, diagnose, and treat autism. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 22:45:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040455.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000843.htm Struggling to sleep might be the hidden reason why adults with ADHD traits often feel less satisfied with life. New research reveals a strong link between insomnia and reduced well-being in people with ADHD symptoms, suggesting a vicious cycle where poor sleep worsens attention and emotional issues, and vice versa. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:10:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000843.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250630073442.htm Scientists have uncovered a surprising sugar-related mechanism inside brain cells that could transform how we fight Alzheimer’s and other dementias. It turns out neurons don’t just store sugar for fuel—they reroute it to power antioxidant defenses, but only if an enzyme called GlyP is active. When this sugar-clearing system is blocked, toxic tau protein builds up and accelerates brain degeneration. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 10:04:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250630073442.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033424.htm Deleting a gene called PTEN in certain brain cells disrupts the brain’s fear circuitry and triggers anxiety-like behavior in mice — key traits seen in autism. Researchers mapped how this genetic tweak throws off the brain's delicate balance of excitation and inhibition in the amygdala, offering deep insights into how one gene can drive specific ASD symptoms. Sun, 29 Jun 2025 05:06:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033424.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620231852.htm USC researchers have uncovered a hidden driver behind the early and severe onset of Alzheimer's in people with Down syndrome: iron overload in the brain. Their study revealed that individuals with both conditions had twice the iron levels and far more oxidative damage than others. The culprit appears to be ferroptosis, an iron-triggered cell death mechanism, which is especially damaging in sensitive brain regions. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 23:18:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620231852.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614034240.htm A team at Kobe University has created a game-changing resource for autism research: 63 mouse embryonic stem cell lines, each carrying a genetic mutation strongly associated with the disorder. By pairing classic stem cell manipulation with precise CRISPR gene editing, they ve built a standardized platform that mirrors autism-linked genetic conditions in mice. These models not only replicate autism-related traits but also expose key dysfunctions, like the brain s inability to clean up faulty proteins. Sat, 14 Jun 2025 03:42:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614034240.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250613013918.htm A protective sugar coating on brain blood vessels, once thought to be insignificant, turns out to play a vital role in preventing cognitive decline. Restoring this layer reversed damage and memory loss in aging brains, offering a fresh approach to treating neurodegenerative diseases. Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:39:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250613013918.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140137.htm Humans and mice share persistent brain-activity patterns in response to adverse sensory experience, scientists find, opening a window to our emotions and, perhaps, neuropsychiatric disorders. Thu, 29 May 2025 14:01:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140137.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180917.htm Researchers have a new hypothesis for how brain cells called astrocytes might contribute to memory storage in the brain. Their model, known as dense associative memory, would help explain the brain's massive storage capacity. Tue, 27 May 2025 18:09:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180917.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162544.htm A new study examines the emergence of overimitation in infants aged between 16 and 21 months to see if and how it is linked to social affiliation and other forms of imitation. The researchers found that young children engaged in low rates of overimitation and that it was not driven by in-group preference -- meaning they were not acting to please someone similar to themselves. This suggests that overimitation for social affiliation reasons may emerge later. But they did find that other types of imitation associated with memory and cognition were closely correlated. Thu, 22 May 2025 16:25:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162544.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522133513.htm A new study says students appear to be using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) responsibly, and as a way to speed up tasks, not just boost their grades. Thu, 22 May 2025 13:35:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522133513.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522125527.htm Researchers have identified a remarkably small but critical piece of genetic code that helps determine how brain cells connect, communicate, and function. The discovery not only deepens our understanding of how the brain's wiring is built but may also explain the origins of several neurological and psychiatric conditions. Thu, 22 May 2025 12:55:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522125527.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124652.htm Worldwide, more than 55 million people suffer from dementia caused by Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other conditions that destroy cells in the brain and nervous system. While there is no treatment to control or manage these neurodegenerative conditions, investigators have identified a new and promising drug to treat AD. The drug--and their approach by identifying a new target in the brain -- showed promising results in mouse models of AD. Thu, 22 May 2025 12:46:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124652.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124115.htm Research teams have created a versatile set of gene delivery systems that can reach different neural cell types in the human brain and spinal cord with exceptional accuracy. These delivery systems are a significant step toward future precise gene therapy to the brain that could safely control errant brain activity with high precision. In contrast, current therapies for brain disorders mostly treat only symptoms. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:41:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124115.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520122031.htm Researchers have discovered how an ion channel in the brain's neurons has a kind of 'molecular memory', which contributes to the formation and preservation of lifelong memories. The researchers have identified a specific part of the ion channel at which new drugs for certain genetic diseases could be targeted. Tue, 20 May 2025 12:20:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520122031.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132006.htm A study reveals that inflammation associated with Marfan syndrome increases vulnerability to neurological diseases and complications following strokes, as demonstrated in animal models. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:20:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132006.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111351.htm There is no significant difference in the effectiveness of how autistic and non-autistic people communicate, according to a new study, challenging the stereotype that autistic people struggle to connect with others. Wed, 14 May 2025 11:13:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111245.htm Postpartum maternal mental health and mother-to-infant bonding are well-established as critical factors in a child's psychosocial development. However, few studies have explored the combined impact of postpartum maternal depression and early bonding experiences on emotional and behavioral difficulties during middle childhood. A new study reveals significant associations between postpartum depression, mother-to-infant bonding, and child difficulties. Notably, secure early bonding was found to partially buffer the long-term effects of postpartum depression on child outcomes. Wed, 14 May 2025 11:12:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111245.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513150241.htm Hormone levels fluctuate like the tides, ebbing and flowing according to carefully orchestrated cycles. These hormones not only influence the body, but can cross into the brain and shape the behavior of our neurons and cognitive processes. Recently, researchers used modern laser microscopy techniques to observe how fluctuations in ovarian hormones shape both the structure and function of neurons in the mouse hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory formation and spatial learning in mammals. They found that hormone fluctuations during the mouse estrous cycle, a 4-day cycle analogous to the 28-day human menstrual cycle, powerfully influence the shape and behavior of hippocampal neurons. Tue, 13 May 2025 15:02:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513150241.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133656.htm Cancer treatment with a cell-based immunotherapy causes mild cognitive impairment, a Stanford Medicine team found. They also identified compounds that could treat it. Mon, 12 May 2025 13:36:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133656.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505171014.htm Getting a timely diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is a major challenge, but new research shows that how young adults, and potentially children, grasp objects could offer a simpler way to diagnose someone on the autism spectrum. The team, part of an international collaboration, used machine learning to analyze naturalistic hand movements -- specifically, finger motions during grasping -- in autistic and non-autistic individuals. Mon, 05 May 2025 17:10:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505171014.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505170816.htm Friendship comes with complex pros and cons -- possibly explaining why some individuals are less sociable, according to a new study of gorillas. Mon, 05 May 2025 17:08:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505170816.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121412.htm One of the first studies in this area to use clinical-level diagnoses reveals a range of differences between young people with and without mental health conditions when it comes to social media -- from changes in mood to time spent on sites. Mon, 05 May 2025 12:14:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121412.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122334.htm Common mental health conditions are more closely related to people's personalities than previously thought, a study suggests. Personality traits explain about a quarter of the overall risk of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and phobias, the study found. Thu, 01 May 2025 12:23:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122334.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142231.htm Researchers have identified the neural mechanisms in the brain that regulate both positive and negative impressions of a social encounter, as well as how an imbalance between the two could lead to common neuropsychiatric disorders. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:22:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142231.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428221213.htm To help achieve more precise control of gene therapy, engineers have designed a new control circuit that can keep gene expression levels within a target range. The method could be used to deliver genes that could help treat diseases including Fragile X syndrome. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:12:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428221213.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250425113441.htm A new study provides new evidence that sensory stimulation of a gamma-frequency brain rhythm may promote broad-based restorative neurological health response. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:34:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250425113441.htm