Scientists from the University of Maryland School of Medicine have discovered a link between inflammation in children and how certain brain cells develop. This finding is important because it may help explain neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD, which affect many children worldwide.
Neurodevelopmental disorders impact how the brain grows and functions. Conditions like autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can make it harder for children to learn, communicate, and interact with others. Understanding what causes these disorders could lead to better treatments or even ways to prevent them.
The brain starts developing before birth and continues to grow throughout childhood and adolescence. It contains billions of neurons—tiny cells that help us think, move, and feel. One key part of the brain is the cerebellum, which controls movement and also plays a role in thinking, emotions, and language.
In this study, researchers wanted to see how inflammation—our body’s response to infections or injuries—affects brain development, especially in the cerebellum. They examined brain tissue from children who had died from inflammatory conditions and compared it to brain tissue from children who had died in accidents.
Using advanced techniques, they found that in children who had experienced inflammation, certain neurons in the cerebellum did not develop properly. These neurons, called Golgi and Purkinje neurons, are essential for brain function.
Golgi neurons help coordinate communication between brain cells, while Purkinje neurons connect the cerebellum to other parts of the brain involved in thinking and emotions. When these neurons do not mature correctly, it could increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
This discovery could change how scientists and doctors think about conditions like autism and ADHD. It suggests that inflammation early in life may play a role in these disorders. If researchers can find ways to reduce inflammation in children at risk, it might be possible to prevent or lessen the impact of these conditions.
There is still much to learn about the brain and how it develops. However, this study provides new insight into how inflammation can influence brain growth. As scientists continue to explore this connection, they may find new treatments that could improve the lives of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Published in Science Translational Medicine, this research highlights the importance of brain health and the need for ongoing studies in this field. Every new discovery brings us closer to understanding the brain and finding better ways to support those affected by developmental challenges.
For more information about ADHD, please see recent studies about Nutrition’s role in managing ADHD: what you need to know and results showing that Food additives and ADHD: what parents should know.
If you care about ADHD, please read studies about 5 signs you have ADHD, not laziness, and new drug to reduce daydreaming, fatigue, and brain sluggishness in ADHD.
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