neurodevelopment

Scientific Data, Published online: 20 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41597-026-08095-1 A longitudinal data resource to study brain development and transdiagnostic variation in executive function

Understanding how brain folding works could help researchers better diagnose and treat neurodevelopmental disorders.

Using data from a massive long-term study, researchers found that 9-year-olds with ADHD have altered white matter microarchitecture. These early differences in nerve organization and cellular density offer new clues into the neurodevelopmental roots of the disorder.

At age 9, your brain is undergoing significant changes, but that is just the first of four major shifts in brain function.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction and the presence of repetitive, stereotyped behaviors, often accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms. The prevalence of ASD is on the rise, and the lack of specific pharmacological treatments places a significant burden on families and society. However, the discovery of the m…

Nature Neuroscience, Published online: 11 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41593-026-02400-2 Using cerebroids, a 3D ex vivo model of the human fetal brain, the authors show that IL-17A, a mediator of maternal immune activation linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, disrupts early human cortical development through NF-κB signaling.

Biological sex is increasingly recognized as a fundamental dimension of brain organization, yet how it influences early neurodevelopment, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD), remains understudied. Using data from the International Infant EEG Data Integration Platform (EEG-IP), a multi-site longitudinal cohort of 179 infants (91 males, 88 females) at elevated (ELA) and typical (TLA) likeli…

Check out the behind-the-scene story of the research exploring how neural circuits develop in stages during growth rather than all maturing at the same pace

Neural circuits develop in stages during growth rather than all maturing at the same pace, according to new research published in Neuroscience shows. The study, which uses an algorithm to build a picture of the development of neural communities, provides intriguing insights with potential implications for understanding brain development and learning. Researchers in China used a […] The post New a…

A University of Houston psychologist has received a $2.8 million grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to lead the first randomized clinical trial testing whether a remotely delivered parenting program can improve healthy infant brain development to support long-term mental health outcomes for babies born prematurely.

BackgroundWhile atypical brain development in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been extensively characterized during childhood and adolescence, it remains unclear how these neurodevelopmental deviations persist into adulthood and affect brain aging. Existing studies relying on single morphometric measures have yielded inconsistent findings, underscoring the need for integrative, multiscale neur…

Scientists have long known that the human brain continues developing well beyond the teenage years, with important changes involving decision-making and emotional regulation extending into the mid-to-late 20s.

A new study links chronic indoor radon exposure to altered brain wave patterns in children. The findings suggest the common radioactive gas may disrupt the typical development of neural networks needed for attention and cognitive control.

Longer durations of full breastfeeding are linked to fewer ADHD symptoms in children, suggesting early feeding patterns may influence neurodevelopment.

Nature Communications, Published online: 20 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74712-7 This study suggests that higher-dose trigger-day human chorionic gonadotropin during assisted reproduction may be associated with DNA methylation and early neurodevelopment.

IntroductionAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social impairment, restricted interest, repetitive behavior, and stereotypical behavioral patterns. Diagnosing ASD presents considerable challenges; a previous large-sample study in children linked ASD and intestinal flora imbalances.MethodsTo explore the composition and functional changes of the gut micr…

IntroductionAutism spectrum disorder is common in children with increasing prevalence, leading to efforts towards early identification and treatment initiation in young children. We aimed to identify the developmental trajectory of young children with an autism diagnosis and clinical factors associated with better developmental outcomes in a real-world setting.MethodsIn this study, 38 children (m…