Article
Pediatrics
Maria M. Talavera-Barber, Evlyn Morehead, Katherine Ziegler, Christine Hockett, Amy J. Elliott
Summary: This study explores the association between prenatal cannabis exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months of age. The results show that infants exposed to cannabis demonstrate increased expressive and receptive language scores at 12 months, which may have positive implications for their performance in school.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Walaa F. Alsanie, Sherin Abdelrahman, Majid Alhomrani, Ahmed Gaber, Ebtisam Abdulah Alosimi, Hamza Habeeballah, Heba A. Alkhatabi, Raed Felimban, Charlotte A. E. Hauser, Hossam H. Tayeb, Abdulhakeem S. Alamri, Abdulwahab Alamri, Bassem M. Raafat, Khaled A. Alswat, Yusuf S. Althobaiti, Yousif A. Asiri
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of quetiapine fumarate (QEPF) on fetal brain development using primary mouse embryonic neurons. The results showed that QEPF reduced the expression of specific genes in dopaminergic neurons and had variable effects on non-dopaminergic neurons. These findings have important implications for therapeutic decision-making when prescribing second-generation antipsychotics to pregnant women.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Christian Carrizosa, Mario Murcia, Virginia Ballesteros, Olga Costa, Cyntia B. Manzano-Salgado, Jesus Ibarluzea, Carmen Iniguez, Maribel Casas, Ainara Andiarena, Sabrina Llop, Aitana Lertxundi, Thomas Schettgen, Jordi Sunyer, Ferran Ballester, Martine Vrijheid, Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa
Summary: Prenatal exposure to PFAS was associated with poorer motor development at 14 months and a slight positive association with general cognitive development at 4-5 years in children, but no clear associations were found for other neuropsychological outcomes.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Darshana Z. Narayanan, Daniel Y. Takahashi, Lauren M. Kelly, Sabina Hlavaty, Junzhou Huang, Asif A. Ghazanfar
Summary: Human and non-human primates produce rhythmical sounds as soon as they are born to solicit the attention of caregivers. This study shows, through dense and longitudinal sampling of fetal head and orofacial movements in marmoset monkeys, that the orofacial movements necessary for producing rhythmical vocalizations differentiate from larger movement patterns and that signature features of marmoset infant contact calls emerge prenatally as a distinct pattern of orofacial movements.
Article
Neurosciences
Hayley S. Mountford, Amanda Hill, Anna L. Barnett, Dianne F. Newbury
Summary: The ability to finely control movement is crucial for educational milestones and life skills, yet our understanding of the biology behind motor coordination is lacking. Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common but neglected neurodevelopmental disorder, with research on the genetic and environmental factors still in its early stages.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Roni Molad, Mindy F. Levin
Summary: The study aimed to determine the construct validity of the new clinical upper-limb Interlimb Coordination test (ILC2) in individuals with chronic stroke. Results showed that participants with stroke moved their upper limbs slower than controls in all conditions, but Interlimb Coordination test scores were not related to clinical scores.
NEUROREHABILITATION AND NEURAL REPAIR
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raquel Soler-Blasco, Mario Murcia, Manuel Lozano, Blanca Sarzo, Ana Esplugues, Gabriel Riutort-Mayol, Jesus Vioque, Nerea Lertxundi, Loreto Santa Marina, Aitana Lertxundi, Amaia Irizar, Simone Braeuer, Ferran Ballester, Sabrina Llop
Summary: This study found an association between prenatal arsenic exposure and child neuropsychological development, with MMA concentrations being inversely correlated with neuropsychological scores. Additionally, maternal levels of manganese, zinc, and ferritin affected the relationship between arsenic methylation efficiency and neuropsychological scores in children.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
David L. L. Haggerty, Gregory G. G. Grecco, Jui-Yen Huang, Emma H. H. Doud, Amber L. L. Mosley, Hui-Chen Lu, Brady K. K. Atwood
Summary: As problematic opioid use has become an epidemic in the past two decades, the prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnant women has also significantly increased. However, little is known about how opioids affect the developing brains of offspring from mothers with OUD. A study using a mouse model of prenatal methadone exposure (PME) found that PME led to changes in protein and phosphopeptide abundance in multiple sensorimotor brain regions. Specifically, the primary motor cortex (M1) showed unique effects of PME, including changes in glutamatergic synapses and synaptic function. These findings suggest that PME-induced lasting changes in synaptic function are primarily represented by protein and anatomical changes in M1.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qian Yao, Angela Vinturache, Xiaoning Lei, Zixia Wang, Chengyu Pan, Rong Shi, Tao Yuan, Yu Gao, Ying Tian
Summary: This study found potential associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and early neurodevelopmental deficiencies, particularly in the gross motor domain. The associations were partly explained by thyroid hormone mediator effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christine T. Loftus, Nicole R. Bush, Drew B. Day, Yu Ni, Frances A. Tylavsky, Catherine J. Karr, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Emily S. Barrett, Adam A. Szpiro, Sheela Sathyanarayana, Kaja Z. LeWinn
Summary: Despite inconsistent findings from epidemiological studies, the largest study to date on the relationship between prenatal phthalate mixtures and child cognitive development showed predominantly null associations. The novel extension of WQS regression improved sensitivity to detect true associations and outperformed traditional methods in simulated data. Further research is needed to explore individual metabolite associations and potential effects of exposure mixtures on language and IQ outcomes.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhenzhen Xie, Hong Liang, Maohua Miao, Ziliang Wang, Yao Chen, Lan Yang, Yan Zhou, Wencheng Cao, Wei Yuan
Summary: Prenatal exposure to PFASs is linked to increased attention problems in children, which can be mitigated by higher maternal nut intake.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juan Tong, Chunmei Liang, Xiaoyan Wu, Kung Huang, Beibei Zhu, Hui Gao, Yuanduo Zhu, Zhijuan Li, Juan Qi, Yan Han, Peng Ding, Yumin Zhu, Fangbiao Tao
Summary: The study revealed that maternal serum thallium exposure during the first and third trimesters had detrimental effects on preschoolers' cognitive development, with more prominent impacts on boys.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Liron Cohen-Eliraz, Asher Ornoy, Eliana Ein-Mor, Moriah Bar-Nitsan, Tammy Pilowsky Peleg, Ronit Calderon-Margalit
Summary: This study aimed to explore the association between intrauterine exposure to phthalates, such as DEHP, and emotional/behavioral development of 24-month-old toddlers. The results showed that maternal DEHP exposure was only associated with behavioral-developmental outcomes in boys. Boys with high DEHP exposure had lower developmental scores in personal social abilities and more internalizing and externalizing problems compared to boys with low DEHP exposure. No differences were found in girls.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ting Yu, Leilei Zhou, Jian Xu, Haidong Kan, Renjie Chen, Shuwen Chen, Hui Hua, Zhiwei Liu, Chonghuai Yan
Summary: The study suggests that prenatal exposure to ambient SO2 or NO2 may impact toddler neurodevelopment, with SO2 having a more significant effect. Temperature plays a modifying role, with low temperature potentially exacerbating the neurotoxicity induced by SO2.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie M. Holm, John R. Balmes, Robert B. Gunier, Katherine Kogut, Kim G. Harley, Brenda Eskenazi
Summary: This study found that prenatal exposure to outdoor PM2.5 during pregnancy is associated with slightly lower IQ in late childhood, especially in working memory and processing speed. The results suggest that the 5-7 month period of pregnancy is the most susceptible, with differences in the timing and subscales affected in boys and girls.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jessica Greenwood, Starlie Belnap, Guilherme Dabus, Italo Linfante, Felipe De los Rios La Rosa
Summary: The study found that COVID-19 interventions did not significantly impact acute stroke treatment times, with a decrease in stroke volume but no significant delays in seeking or providing acute stroke care. The risk of COVID-19 contraction during and after hospitalization remained low.
CLINICAL NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSURGERY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Starlie C. Belnap, Robert Lickliter
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2017)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Umit Yilmaz, Kevser Tanbek
Summary: This study investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of Spexin on the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis and energy expenditure in rats. The results showed that Spexin reduced food consumption and body weight, increased thyroid hormones, and enhanced energy metabolism.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Kuei-Yu Chien, Yun-Ju Chen, Kuo-Jen Hsu, Chiao-Nan Chen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of a high-protein diet and high-intensity interval training on appetite and weight loss in obese middle-aged individuals. The results showed that consuming a high-protein drink and following a high-protein diet after exercise can reduce post-exercise appetite and the frequency of late-night snacking.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Melissa Alves Braga Oliveira, Ana Carolina Odebrecht Vergne de Abreu, Debora Barroggi Constantino, Andre C. Tonon, Antoni Diez-Noguera, Fernanda Gaspar Amaral, Maria Paz Hidalgo
Summary: Biological processes in living organisms exhibit strong rhythmicity and are regulated by internal timing systems. Understanding the influence of biological rhythms is crucial for experimental design and reporting.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Yanqun Cao, Hao Chen, Yinna Tan, Xu-Dong Yu, Chuli Xiao, Yin Li, James Reilly, Zhiming He, Xinhua Shu
Summary: There is evidence to suggest that chronic stress impacts neurochemical homeostasis and contributes to mental disorders. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of p-coumaric acid (p-CA), a natural compound found in vegetables and fruits, against stress-associated mental disorders. The findings suggest that p-CA could alleviate cognitive deficits and depression-like behavior in mice exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS) by regulating the PKA-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Mai O. Spaulding, Jessica R. Hoffman, Grace C. Madu, Magen N. Lord, Caroline Soares Iizuka, Kevin P. Myers, Emily E. Noble
Summary: Food insecurity is associated with obesity and disordered eating behaviors. Studying a rodent model, researchers found that adolescent food insecurity may increase susceptibility to obesity and altered eating behaviors during adulthood.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
K. Oberman, B. L. van Leeuwen, M. Nabben, J. E. Villafranca, R. G. Schoemaker
Summary: The present study investigated the post-operative complications and therapeutic potential of J147 in male Zucker rats, and found that J147 treatment had positive effects on behavioral and metabolic parameters, but did not affect neuroinflammation. The results suggest that a combination of acute and chronic J147 treatment may be optimal for treatment.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Mathieu Cournoyer, Alice Maldera, Alexandre-Charles Gauthier, Fabien Dal Maso, Marie-Eve Mathieu
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive view of the literature on the effect of different odors on physical activity through a systematic review. It was found that pleasant odors have a positive impact on participants' physical activity. However, better methodological consistency is needed in studies to produce more meaningful results.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Gabriel R. Gilmore, Jeff Dyche
Summary: This study examined sleep, sleep/wake regularity, and cognition in college students diagnosed with depression and using serotonergic antidepressants, comparing them to those without a depression diagnosis. The results showed that students using antidepressants had slightly longer wake after sleep onset and lower sleep efficiency, but these differences were likely not noticed by the participants. There were no differences in sleep regularity or cognition between the two groups.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Erica A. Cross, Kim L. Huhman, H. Elliott Albers
Summary: Social stress plays a significant role in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders and can lead to behavioral deficits such as social withdrawal. This study investigates the impact of social stress on social reward in Syrian hamsters. The results show that subordinate and socially defeated males have reduced motivation for social interactions compared to dominant males. Additionally, winning males exhibit greater activation in the mesolimbic dopamine system compared to losers. In females, there were no differences in social entries between winners and losers, but winning females display more activation in the NAc shell.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Daniel A. R. Cabral, Maria L. M. Rego, Eduardo B. Fontes, Vagner D. O. Tavares
Summary: This study examined the association between body mass index (BMI) and negative emotional states (NES) in men with substance use disorders (SUD) undergoing treatment. The findings showed a positive correlation between BMI and stress, anxiety, and depression. These results suggest that reducing body fat accumulation may contribute to improving mental health in individuals with SUD during recovery.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Elizabeth Agbor Epse Muluh, Jessica C. McCormack, Yunfan Mo, Michael Garratt, Mei Peng
Summary: This PROSPERO pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the olfactory and gustatory changes in pregnant individuals. The meta-analysis revealed that pregnant individuals performed poorer in odour identification, rated olfactory stimuli to be more intense during the second and third trimester, and had increased pleasantness for sweet taste in the first trimester. No major difference was observed in terms of gustatory functions between pregnant and non-pregnant subjects.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Renee Spiteri Douglas, Mackenzie R. Hartley, J. Renee Yang, Tamara B. Franklin
Summary: The expression of Hdac2 in the hippocampus is associated with social status, while the expression of closely related genes Hdac1 and HDAC2 protein is not associated with social rank in the hippocampus.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)