While additional research is needed, the Children’s National Hospital study authors say their unprecedented findings underscore the need for universal screening for psychological distress as a routine part of prenatal care and taking other steps to support stressed-out pregnant women and safeguard their newborns’ developing brains. Continue reading “When pregnant moms are stressed out, babies’ brains suffer”
Baby and adult brains ‘sync up’ during play
Have you ever played with a baby and felt a sense of connection, even though they couldn’t yet talk to you? New research suggests that you might quite literally be “on the same wavelength,” experiencing similar brain activity in the same brain regions. Continue reading “Baby and adult brains ‘sync up’ during play”
Early life experiences biologically and functionally mature the brain
Experiences early in life have an impact on the brain’s biological and functional development, shows a new study by a team of neuroscientists. Its findings, which centered on changes in mice and rats, reveal how learning and memory abilities may vary, depending on the nature of individual experiences in early life. Continue reading “Early life experiences biologically and functionally mature the brain”
Aerobic exercise training linked to enhanced brain function
Individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) because of family history or genetic predisposition who engaged in six months of aerobic exercise training improved their brain glucose metabolism and higher-order thinking abilities (e.g., planning and mental flexibility) called executive function; these improvements occurred in conjunction with increased cardiorespiratory fitness. The results of this study are published in a special issue of Brain Plasticity devoted to Exercise and Cognition. Continue reading “Aerobic exercise training linked to enhanced brain function”
High and low exercise intensity found to influence brain function differently
A new study shows for the first time that low and high exercise intensities differentially influence brain function. Continue reading “High and low exercise intensity found to influence brain function differently”
Greek philosophy and the birth of neuroscience
Many leading concepts in modern neuroscience find their origin in the speculation of ancient Greek philosophers and physicians. Continue reading “Greek philosophy and the birth of neuroscience”