Potential Mental Health Issues Rooted in Prenatal Development?
New Study Reveals Key Insights into the Origins of Brain Diseases
A groundbreaking study, led by researcher Xoel Mato-Blanco at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, has shed light on the early gene activities that play a critical role in the development of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases such as autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.
The research, conducted in collaboration with Yale University, focuses on the impact of risk transcription factor depletions on neural cell trajectories traversing human corticogenesis, using neural stem cells. The study explores the expression dynamics of cortical and neuropsychiatric disorder-associated genes in human neural stem cells across telencephalic fate transitions.
According to the study, nearly 3,000 genes associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases are already functional in fetal neural stem cells during initial brain formation phases. These genes regulate processes in neural progenitor cells, affecting the cerebral cortex's architecture and function. Alterations can disrupt neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, and the extracellular environment critical for brain organization.
One of the key insights from the study is the role of epigenetic regulation in gene expression during cortical development in stem cells. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as modifications mediated by Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that regulate histone mark H3K27me3, influence stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Changes in such epigenetic regulation can shift stem cell proliferation and differentiation, impacting brain structure and disease vulnerability.
The study also identifies specific periods in fetal development when gene activity is especially critical. Disruptions during these windows can have long-lasting effects, underscoring potential targets for early intervention or therapy.
The understanding of these mechanisms and the role of each gene in each disease can help develop targeted therapies. The research provides opportunities for gene therapy and personalized treatments, offering hope for those affected by these debilitating conditions.
References: - Mato-Blanco X et al., 2025, Nature Communications (gene activity in fetal neural stem cells linked to mental disorders) - Hospital del Mar Research Institute and Yale University study, 2025 (origins of neuropsychiatric/neurodegenerative diseases in fetal brain development) - Ditzer et al., 2025, epigenetic regulation in neural stem cells during cortical development
[1] Mato-Blanco X et al., 2025, Nature Communications [2] Hospital del Mar Research Institute and Yale University study, 2025 [3] Ditzer et al., 2025
- The groundbreaking study reveals that over 3,000 genes associated with mental disorders like depression, schizophrenia, autism, and mental health issues such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, are functional in fetal neural stem cells during early brain development stages.
- The research, conducted in conjunction with Yale University, highlights the impact of risk transcription factor depletions on neural cell trajectories during human corticogenesis.
- Epigenetic regulation is found to play a significant role in gene expression during cortical development in stem cells, influencing stem cell proliferation and differentiation.
- Disruptions in gene activity during specific periods in fetal development can have long-lasting effects, potentially offering targets for early intervention or therapy in health-and-wellness and mental health treatments.
- The study findings provide a foundation for developing targeted therapies and gene therapy, as well as personalized treatments for neuroscience news, particularly for those affected by neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Further advancements in neuroscience are planned, as the study reference by Ditzer et al., 2025, delves deeper into epigenetic regulation in neural stem cells during cortical development.
