New Research Links Origins of Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders to Fetal Brain Cells

Recent scientific studies have uncovered compelling evidence that the roots of various mental health conditions, such as autism, bipolar disorder, and depression, as well as neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, may be traced back to early fetal brain development. Conducted by researchers at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and Yale University, this groundbreaking research, published in Nature Communications, emphasizes the importance of genetic activity during the earliest stages of brain formation.

The study focused on understanding how genetic alterations influence brain development by examining nearly 3,000 genes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cortical malformations. Researchers simulated the effects of changes in these genes and discovered that many are active in neural stem cells—the progenitors responsible for constructing the brain's neurons and supporting structures—during early fetal development.

Studying this critical period posed challenges due to the difficulty in observing such early brain stages. To overcome this, the team integrated data from human and mouse brains and utilized advanced in vitro cellular models. Notably, findings revealed that genes linked to a broad spectrum of brain pathologies are operational during the initial phases of fetal brain development, affecting progenitor cells involved in brain formation.

This research sheds light on how early genetic activity can influence brain architecture and function, laying the groundwork for understanding disease origins. It highlights specific regulatory networks within progenitor cells and indicates crucial windows where genetic disruptions might cause or increase the risk of developing disorders such as microcephaly, hydrocephaly, autism, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, as well as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

By mapping how these genes behave in neural stem cells across different stages, scientists can better identify when and where to target interventions. This could pave the way for developing gene-based therapies and personalized treatments, ultimately improving prevention and management of these complex brain disorders.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-roots-mental-neurodegenerative-disorders-fetal.html