A new study by scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has uncovered a possible link between childhood inflammation and problems in brain development. This important finding could help explain why some children develop neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Neurodevelopmental disorders are medical conditions that affect how the brain grows and works. They usually appear in early childhood and can last a lifetime.
Children with these conditions might find it harder to learn, speak, socialize, or manage their emotions. Common examples include autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The brain begins to form very early in pregnancy and continues developing through childhood and teenage years. It is made up of billions of tiny nerve cells called neurons. These neurons communicate with one another to help us think, move, feel, and behave.
One key area of the brain is the cerebellum. It helps us with balance and movement—like walking, writing, or playing sports. But the cerebellum also supports skills like language, emotion control, and social interaction. Damage to or changes in this part of the brain may contribute to disorders like autism.
In this new study, researchers wanted to understand how inflammation—an immune response that often happens during illness or injury—affects the developing brain.
They focused on children who had died from conditions involving inflammation, such as infections or asthma. Their brains were compared to those of children who had died in accidents, where inflammation was not involved.
Using a highly detailed method called single-cell genomics, the scientists studied the cerebellum and how its individual cells were affected. The results revealed something surprising: in children who had experienced inflammation, two important types of brain cells—called Golgi neurons and Purkinje neurons—were not developing as they should.
Why These Brain Cells Matter
- Golgi neurons help process and send information between different brain cells within the cerebellum.
- Purkinje neurons connect the cerebellum to other parts of the brain involved in thinking, emotions, and memory.
When these cells don’t mature properly, the brain’s communication system can break down. This may lead to the kinds of difficulties seen in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
This discovery adds to our understanding of how early life events—like illness or inflammation—might increase the risk of brain disorders later in life. While inflammation is part of the body’s defense system, this study shows that it may also interfere with the growth of key brain cells if it occurs during critical stages of development.
Knowing this could help scientists develop new ways to prevent or treat conditions like autism and schizophrenia. For example, doctors might find ways to reduce harmful inflammation in young children or identify early warning signs in those who are most at risk.
Neurodevelopmental disorders can be tough—for children, parents, and families. Many families live with uncertainty about what caused the condition or how to best support their child. Discoveries like this give hope. They show that science is moving toward real answers and possible solutions.
More research is still needed. The human brain is incredibly complex, and many factors influence its development, including genetics, environment, and early life health. But this study is a strong step forward. It highlights the importance of protecting brain health early in life and opens the door to new treatment ideas.
The link between childhood inflammation and disrupted brain development may be one of the keys to understanding why neurodevelopmental disorders occur. By identifying how inflammation affects specific brain cells, scientists are closer to finding ways to prevent or reduce the symptoms of these lifelong conditions.
If you’re interested in autism research, you might want to read about a new cause of autism or how having a pet cat may help reduce anxiety in kids with autism. You can also explore studies showing that vitamin D may play a role in autism, or how unusual eating habits in young children might be an early sign.
The full findings of this research are published in Science Translational Medicine.
If you care about autism, please read studies about a new cause of autism, and cats may help decrease anxiety for kids with autism.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about vitamin D that may hold the clue to more autism, and results showing strange eating habits may signal autism.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
