Child Development – Page 9 – Stepping Stones Center

October 3, 2026· Child Development

Novel Blood Thinners Linked to Slower Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

For millions of older adults, the dual burden of cardiovascular health and neurodegenerative disease represents one of the most significant clinical challenges in modern geriatric medicine. Atrial fibrillation—a common heart rhythm disorder characterized by irregular and often rapid heartbeats—frequently coexists with Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia. While clinicians have long relied on…

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October 2, 2026· Child Development

Landmark Study Suggests Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Prevalence Significantly Underestimated

New research conducted by a team of scientists at the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai has revealed that Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS)—a complex genetic condition often associated with autism spectrum disorder—is likely far more common than previous clinical estimates had suggested. The findings, which were recently published in the journal Autism…

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October 2, 2026· Child Development

Higher Vitamin D Intake Linked to Stronger Cognitive Performance in High-Risk Adults

As the United States faces an escalating public health challenge, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s dementia has reached a critical juncture. More than 7 million Americans are currently living with the condition, a figure that experts warn is set to climb to nearly 13 million by the year 2050. This staggering trajectory has intensified the search…

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October 2, 2026· Child Development

Large-Scale Swedish Study Links Rare Congenital Infections to Higher Risks of Autism and Intellectual Disability

Rare infections that can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her developing fetus are associated with a significantly elevated risk of autism and intellectual disability later in childhood, according to a comprehensive new study conducted by researchers at the Karolinska Institutet. The findings, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, provide some of the most…

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October 1, 2026· Child Development

New Study Links Specific Sleep Stages to Reduced Risk of Dozens of Chronic Diseases

A landmark study published on September 17 in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine has provided compelling new evidence regarding the critical intersection between sleep architecture and long-term health. Researchers led by Shengzhi Sun of Capital Medical University in China have identified that higher proportions of REM (rapid eye movement) and deep sleep are significantly associated…

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October 1, 2026· Child Development

New Research Reveals How APOE4 Drives Brain Damage and Offers Potential Pathways for Reversal

Mount Sinai researchers have unveiled significant new insights into the mechanisms by which APOE4—the most potent genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease—triggers damage within the human brain. According to two landmark studies published in the journals Cell and Cell Stem Cell, this gene does far more than predispose individuals to neurodegeneration; it actively degrades the…

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October 1, 2026· Child Development

The Sleep Sweet Spot: New Research Links Sleep Duration to Accelerated Biological Aging Across Organ Systems

A groundbreaking analysis of human biological aging has revealed that the duration of our nightly rest acts as a powerful, systemic marker of health, with both insufficient and excessive sleep linked to the accelerated aging of the brain, heart, lungs, immune system, and a variety of other vital organs. The study, published in the journal…

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September 30, 2026· Child Development

New Research Reveals Distinct Patterns of Accelerated Brain Aging Across Diverse Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions

A groundbreaking study published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine has provided new evidence that various neurological and psychiatric conditions may be linked to a phenomenon of accelerated brain aging. Led by Shile Qi of the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in China, the research suggests that dementia, mild cognitive impairment, alcohol addiction, and…

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September 30, 2026· Child Development

The Eyes of Depression: How Familial Risk Shapes a Child’s Emotional Focus

A smile or a frown may reveal far more than the simple ebb and flow of a child’s current mood. According to groundbreaking new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York, the specific emotional cues that capture a child’s attention could serve as a vital diagnostic window into their mental health and provide…

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September 30, 2026· Child Development

Beyond the Buzz: Why Your Evening Coffee May Be Silently Sabotaging Your Brain’s Recovery

For decades, the debate surrounding evening caffeine consumption has been dominated by a simple, binary question: "Does this cup of coffee prevent me from falling asleep?" For many, the answer seems clear-cut. Some individuals claim they can finish an espresso immediately before heading to bed and drift off into a peaceful slumber within minutes. Others…

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