Tag: Neurodevelopment
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Inhibitory Circuits Orchestrate Drosophila Grooming Movements
Introduction: The precise choreography of Drosophila grooming Grooming in fruit flies may seem trivial, but it is a finely tuned motor program essential for sensory hygiene and health. Recent advances in neurobiology have illuminated how inhibitory circuits sculpt the leg movements that underlie grooming behavior in Drosophila. By examining how neural lineages and interneurons coordinate…
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Major Review Finds No Link Between Acetaminophen and Autism During Pregnancy
What the Latest Review Tells Us A comprehensive review of recent studies addressing whether acetaminophen (paracetamol) use during pregnancy influences the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has concluded that there is no convincing evidence of a causal link. The findings come after researchers pooled data from multiple large-scale studies, adjusting for factors like maternal…
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Acetaminophen in Pregnancy: Latest Review Finds No Link to Autism, ADHD, or Intellectual Disability
Overview: What the Review Concludes A comprehensive review published recently examines whether taking acetaminophen (paracetamol) during pregnancy affects a child’s risk of neurodevelopmental conditions. The researchers conclude that when used as directed, acetaminophen does not increase the likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or intellectual disability in offspring. This finding helps clarify…
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Mosaic Loss: Understanding Its Links to Early-Onset Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
What is mosaic loss and why it matters for psychiatric health Mosaic chromosomal alterations (mCAs) occur when a subset of cells in a person’s body carries a genetic change that others do not. This results from post-zygotic mutations, meaning the alteration arises after fertilization and leads to cellular clones with different genetic content. In recent…
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Brain Organoids: A New Frontier in Brain Health Research
What Are Brain Organoids and Why They Matter Brain organoids are tiny, lab-grown clusters of neural tissue that resemble aspects of a developing human brain. Created from stem cells, these pea-sized structures can grow and mature over months, forming neural networks, synapses, and regional patterns that echo early brain development. Researchers use brain organoids to…
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Five-Year-Old Mini Brains: The Ethical Crossroads as Organoids Mirror a Kindergartener’s Wiring
Introduction: The Emergence of Brain Organoids and the New Ethical Frontier In the past decade, brain organoids—tiny, lab-grown clumps of neural tissue derived from stem cells—have evolved from scientific curiosities into more sophisticated models that mimic elements of human brain development. Recent reports suggest organoids can develop with neural activity that, in some ways, resembles…
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Thyroid Dysfunction in Pregnancy and Autism Risk: What New Research Suggests
Overview: A Growing Area of Maternal-Fetal Health Emerging research is increasingly focusing on how maternal health during pregnancy can influence child development. A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism highlights a potential link between persistent thyroid hormone imbalance during pregnancy and an elevated risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in…
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The Hidden Cost Of Premature Births
The Hidden Cost Of Premature Births According to the World Health Organization, one in every ten babies is born a little earlier than planned, beginning life in a race against the clock. Premature birth affects families around the world, but its costs extend far beyond the immediate hospital stay. While survival and medical milestones are…
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Tylenol Use During Pregnancy Not Linked to Autism or ADHD: A Critical Review
Overview: A Contested Link Between Tylenol and Neurodevelopment A recent research review challenges a widely publicized assertion by political leaders that acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring. The study’s authors argue that the studies cited by the White House to support those…
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Tylenol Use During Pregnancy Not Linked to Autism or ADHD Update: What the Review Finds
Overview: New review questions the link between Tylenol and neurodevelopmental risks A controversial claim from the White House suggested that using Tylenol, or acetaminophen, during pregnancy could increase the chances of autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. A recent research review, however, argues that the supporting studies are flawed and that the evidence…