Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have discovered something important about how the brain grows during childhood.
They found that inflammation—your body’s reaction to sickness or injury—can affect how certain brain cells develop.
This finding could help explain why some children develop conditions like autism or ADHD.
Neurodevelopmental disorders are health conditions that affect how a child’s brain grows and works. These disorders often start when a child is very young and usually last a lifetime.
Children with these conditions may find it harder to learn, speak, socialize, or handle emotions. Some common examples are autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The human brain is very complex. It starts forming early in pregnancy and keeps developing through childhood. Inside the brain are billions of cells called neurons. These neurons are what help us think, feel, move, and connect with others.
One important part of the brain is called the cerebellum. It plays a big role in helping us move our bodies, like walking or writing. But it also helps us with thinking, language, feelings, and getting along with others.
In this new study, scientists wanted to find out how inflammation affects the brain in children. They looked at the brains of children who had passed away due to illnesses that caused inflammation—like infections or asthma. They compared these brains to the brains of children who died in accidents and did not have inflammation.
To study the brain cells in great detail, they used a high-tech tool called single-cell genomics. This allowed them to look at each brain cell one at a time. What they found was surprising.
Two special types of brain cells in the cerebellum were affected by inflammation. These are called Golgi neurons and Purkinje neurons. Golgi neurons help other cells in the cerebellum talk to each other. Purkinje neurons connect the cerebellum to other brain parts that control thinking and emotions.
In children who had inflammation, these neurons didn’t grow and develop the way they should have. This might help explain why some children who get sick or have strong inflammation early in life later develop conditions like autism or even schizophrenia.
This discovery is a big step forward. It gives scientists a new clue about how these disorders might begin. It also offers hope that new treatments could be found—maybe even ways to stop some of these brain conditions before they start.
Neurodevelopmental disorders can deeply affect children and their families. But research like this gives us hope. The more we learn about the brain, the better we can care for it. One day, this kind of science might help many children live happier, healthier lives.
If you care about mental health, please read studies about Middle-aged women with no kids may have this mental issue and findings of scientists find a cause of mental illnesses induced by childhood abuse.
For more about mental health, please read studies about Frequent painkiller use linked to mental health risks in these people and findings of Common depression drugs may offer new treatment for bipolar disorder.
The full study was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
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