Prenatal Cannabis Use Linked to Child Aggression and Cognitive Deficits

Summary: New research shows that prenatal exposure to cannabis can negatively impact children’s thinking and behavioral skills, including impulse control, attention, and aggression, which are key for academic and social…

Youth Face Rising Risks of Harassment and Exploitation in the Metaverse

Summary: A new study reveals that youth are vulnerable to various forms of harm in the metaverse, including bullying, harassment, and sexual exploitation. Using data from over 5,000 U.S. teens,…

Parent-Child Play Shapes Social Skills for Interacting with Peers

Summary: How parents and toddlers play together can predict children’s future social interactions. By observing over 120 mother-child pairs, researchers found that responsive and assertive behaviors during play were linked…

Teen Friendships Shape Long-Term Wellbeing

Summary: New research reveals that teenage friendships lay crucial foundations for adult wellbeing, with the timing and nature of these friendships playing a pivotal role. Early adolescence social acceptance is…

New Genetic Mutations Linked to Schizophrenia Risk

Source: A study has identified mutations arising during brain development that may contribute to schizophrenia. Unlike inherited genes, these somatic mutations occur after conception and were found more frequently in…

Teens Risk Brain Damage in New TikTok “Chroming” Trend

Videos on TikTok are contributing to a resurgence in “chroming,” the dangerous practice of inhaling toxic fumes from household items like markers or nail polish. The study analyzed over 100…

Neurodevelopmental Disruptions Behind Schizophrenia Cognitive Deficits

Summary: A recent review of genetic and population studies reveals that premorbid cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, such as lower IQ, are largely due to neurodevelopmental disruptions rather than inherited genetic…

Environment and Hippocampal Size Impact Depression in Youth

Summary: Challenging social environments and the size of the left hippocampus in children aged 9-11 contribute to an increased risk of depression. Researchers found that children with larger hippocampal volumes…

Gender Nonconformity in Play Linked to ASD and Behavioral Problems

Summary: A new study reveals that gender nonconforming play behavior in 7-year-olds is associated with increased behavioral difficulties, including autistic traits in girls and peer relationship issues in boys. Researchers…

Children’s Curiosity or Memory Gaps? Why Kids Over-Explore Tasks

Summary: Children often gather more information than needed to complete a task, even when they know the solution. A new study suggests this “over-exploration” might stem from either natural curiosity…