Polygenic scores (PGS) are metrics used to estimate the genetic predisposition of people to developing specific mental health conditions, personality traits or diseases. In recent years, these metrics have often been used to investigate the intricate connections...
Genetics
DNA methylation mediates the link between childhood adversity and depression, study suggests
Past psychology research suggests that there is a strong relationship between difficult experiences during childhood and the development of depressive symptoms. In fact, statistics suggest that adverse experiences during childhood can double the risk of being...
Large-scale genetic study identifies 14 genes linked to neuroticism
Neuroticism is a key personality trait described by well-established psychological theories, associated with a tendency towards emotional instability and negative emotions. Past studies found that this personality trait often goes hand in hand with various mental...
A histone post-translational modification linked to lifelong susceptibility to stress in mice
Chemical changes to histones, the proteins that help to pack and organize DNA inside cells, play a key role in determining what genes will be consistently activated over the course of an animal or human's life. Past studies have shed light on some chemical alterations...
Study explores the cell-type-specific effects of aging and sex on human cortical neurons
Aging is known to have profound effects on the human brain, prompting changes in the composition of cells and the expression of genes, while also altering aspects of the interaction between genes and environmental factors. While past neuroscience studies have...
Study outlines an activity-regulated genetic program underlying the formation of synapses during development
Synapses are junctions via which neurons communicate with each other or with other types of cells. Synapses are formed throughout the course of a person's life, yet their strength and numbers change over time, a phenomenon known as synaptic plasticity.
Study identifies epigenetic ‘switches’ that regulate the developmental trajectories of single cells
Individual cells in the human body develop progressively over time, ultimately becoming specialized in specific functions. This process, known as cell differentiation or specialization, is central to the formation of distinct cell populations that serve different...
Nf1 gene mutations disrupt brain cell plasticity and motor learning in mice
Neurogenetic disorders, such as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), are diseases caused by a defect in one or more genes, which can sometimes result in cognitive and motor impairments. Better understanding the neural underpinning of these disorders and how they affect...
Study links organization of neurotypical brains to genes involved in autism and schizophrenia
The organization of the human brain develops over time, following the coordinated expression of thousands of genes. Linking the development of healthy brain organization to genes involved in mental health conditions such as autism and schizophrenia could help to...
A cluster of genetically defined brainstem neurons involved in the production and modulation of sounds
Humans and other mammals can produce a wide range of sounds, while also modulating their volume and pitch. These sounds, also known as mammalian vocalizations, play a central role in communication between both animals of the same and of different species.