#Braindevelopment

A groundbreaking new study has revealed the essential role of an immune molecule, interleukin 34 (IL34), in fine-tuning brain development—a discovery that could reshape understanding of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Conducted by researchers at Duke University and published in the journal Immunity on July 2, 2025, the study finds that IL34 acts as a key messenger, directing the brain’s own immune cells, known as microglia, on when and how to “prune” connections between neurons in early life. This process of synaptic pruning is fundamental, as it creates stronger, more efficient neural pathways underlying emotion, decision-making, and learning abilities (Duke University Medical School).

A new study identifies interleukin-34 (IL-34) as a critical cue that guides early brain development by directing microglia, the brain’s immune cells, on when to prune synapses. Proper IL-34 timing helps build resilient neural networks and supports later emotional health, learning, and cognition. Researchers describe IL-34 as a signal that tells microglia when to start and stop pruning during infancy.

Traditionally, microglia were seen mainly as defenders against infection. The findings now show they actively shape brain architecture as well. Supported by national health research funding and dementia-focused philanthropic support, the work demonstrates that normal IL-34 signaling enables microglia to engage at the right moments. When IL-34 functions correctly, pruning proceeds in a balanced, developmentally appropriate way.

Handwriting issues among doctors have spurred legislation and raised questions for patients, pharmacists, and policymakers worldwide. Recent interdisciplinary research shows that poor penmanship is not simply carelessness. For Thai readers who rely on handwritten notes for prescriptions or hospital charts, understanding the science behind legibility is crucial for safety and clear communication.

Writing matters in everyday Thai life, from classrooms where students learn to write to patient charts in regional clinics. The common critique of doctors’ “chicken scratch” notes has real consequences, including potential medication errors and miscommunications. Some jurisdictions, including several Brazilian states, now require typed prescriptions or utterly clear handwriting, a policy echoed by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health as part of ongoing efforts to improve patient safety.

Doctors’ notoriously difficult-to-read handwriting has triggered a wave of legislative action worldwide and raised enduring questions for patients, pharmacists, and even policymakers. But why do so many healthcare professionals—and people in general—struggle to write clearly? Recent interdisciplinary research offers nuanced answers drawn from anthropology, neuroscience, and psychology, revealing that poor penmanship is far more than a simple lack of care or discipline. For Thais who depend on handwritten medical notes for prescriptions or hospital charts, understanding the roots of this phenomenon is crucial for both safety and effective communication.

A new study suggests preschoolers’ brains respond differently to live storytelling than to screen-based stories, with live, in-person reading engaging social and emotional brain networks more strongly. Researchers used non-invasive brain imaging to compare neural activity during a traditional book reading with a prerecorded digital story accompanied by images. The findings point to meaningful differences in early social and cognitive development, with potential implications for Thai families and educators.

In Thailand, where family bonds and communal learning hold cultural importance, the study resonates as screens become more common in homes and classrooms. As Covid-era screen time rose and traditional book-reading habits declined, educators seek to understand how best to nurture social skills, language, and concentration in young children.

A groundbreaking new study has found that preschool children’s brains respond differently when stories are shared through live book reading versus on a screen, suggesting that how children experience stories may impact key aspects of their social and cognitive development. The research, published in the journal Developmental Science, used advanced neuroimaging technology to observe children’s brain activity during both types of storytelling—a live reading from a book and a recorded story paired with images on a screen (PsyPost).

A wave of new research is sending shockwaves through the pediatric and parenting communities worldwide, revealing that many babies and young children may be routinely exposed to harmful chemicals while they sleep—potentially threatening their brain development. Studies published by the University of Toronto, widely reported by leading outlets such as Medical Xpress, CNN, and NDTV, found that children’s mattresses often emit worrying quantities of phthalates, flame retardants, and other substances linked to a host of neurological and developmental disorders, triggering calls from scientists for urgent action by manufacturers and regulators (MedicalXpress, CNN, NDTV).

Recent international research warns that many babies and young children could be exposed to harmful chemicals while they sleep. Findings from Canadian studies indicate that bedrooms near a child’s bed contain elevated levels of substances linked to neurological and developmental issues, while most newly purchased children’s mattresses release phthalates and flame retardants, especially in warm conditions. Scientists are urging manufacturers and regulators to act promptly, and parents to take practical steps to minimize exposure.

Recent groundbreaking research from UCLA Health reveals that puberty triggers significant changes in brain connectivity, which may help explain why some children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, are at an increased risk for developing neuropsychiatric conditions like autism and schizophrenia. The findings, published in Science Advances, provide new insights into the biological mechanisms underlying these complex conditions, offering hope for future interventions.

Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is caused by missing DNA on chromosome 22 and is known to be associated with a higher risk of autism and schizophrenia. Researchers from both UCLA and the Italian Institute of Technology utilized functional brain imaging on both humans and genetically modified mice to explore how this genetic anomaly affects neurodevelopment. They observed that certain brain regions involved in social skills and autism were hyperconnected before puberty and shifted to being under-connected post-puberty. These changes were linked to synaptic activity, with significant implications for affected individuals.

A new study from UCLA Health shows that puberty can reshape brain connectivity in children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a rare genetic condition. The changes may help explain why these children have a higher risk of neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. The researchers published their findings in Science Advances, offering fresh insight into the biology behind these disorders and potential avenues for future interventions.

Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome arises from missing DNA on chromosome 22 and is linked to increased risks for autism and schizophrenia. Researchers from UCLA and the Italian Institute of Technology used functional brain imaging in both humans and genetically modified mice to explore how this genetic anomaly affects brain development. They found that networks involved in social processing were overconnected before puberty and became underconnected after puberty, with synaptic activity playing a central role in these changes.

Recent research underscores the profound impact early life experiences have on shaping the brain’s communication networks, subsequently affecting cognition. This study, which delves into the formation of what are metaphorically deemed the brain’s “communication superhighways,” reveals that these pathways are crucial in cognitive development, particularly during the formative early years.

Understanding how early experiences shape brain development is of significant interest, not only within the scientific community but also for educators and policymakers in Thailand, where childhood development is a growing focus. The study highlights that the environments in which children grow up—whether rich in opportunities or fraught with challenges—can significantly alter neural connectivity, thereby affecting cognitive abilities later in life.

New research shows that early life experiences sculpt the brain’s communication networks, setting the stage for cognitive development. Scientists describe these pathways as the brain’s “communication superhighways,” highlighting how their formation during early years influences later thinking abilities.

For educators and policymakers in Thailand, these findings carry practical significance. The environments in which Thai children grow up—packed with opportunities or facing adversity—can reshape neural connectivity and, in turn, affect skills such as memory, language, and calculation. Data from recent studies indicate that white matter, the brain’s wiring, develops in response to experiences, and differences in early conditions can alter properties linked to cognitive performance.

A new international study shows how two human-specific genes contribute to brain development, offering clues about the evolution of the cerebrum’s complexity. Researchers from a leading German primate research center and a top molecular biology institute conducted the work. Published in March 2025, the findings illuminate brain evolution and suggest potential avenues for addressing developmental brain disorders.

The study describes a synergistic mechanism: one gene promotes the proliferation of brain progenitor cells, while the other guides these cells to become neuron-producing progenitors. This coordinated process is proposed as a driving factor in the evolutionary path that produced the sophisticated human brain. Beyond evolution, the research hints at new angles for understanding developmental conditions and neurological diseases, with possible therapeutic implications.