Latest news with #HermonaSoreq
Hans India
29-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Israeli researchers discovered stress in pregnancy affects baby's brain before birth
Jerusalem: Israeli researchers have discovered that stress experienced by mothers during pregnancy affects the foetus's brain. The discovery led by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) could pave the way for new treatments or interventions to support a baby's healthy development after birth, Xinhua news agency reported. Published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, the study revealed that maternal stress during pregnancy could "reprogramme" key molecular pathways in the foetus, particularly the cholinergic system -- a network of nerve cells responsible for regulating stress responses and inflammation. The researchers analysed blood samples from 120 newborns and their mothers collected at birth, focusing on small RNA molecules known as tRNA fragments (tRFs), many of which originate from mitochondrial DNA. These molecules play a critical role in regulating cellular functions and responses to stress. 'We found that even before babies take their first breath, the stress their mothers experience can shape how their bodies manage stress themselves,' said Prof. Hermona Soreq, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The study also uncovered major differences between male and female infants. Baby girls showed a sharp decrease in specific tRFs, called CholinotRFs, which are involved in the production of acetylcholine -- a brain chemical crucial for memory and immune function. While baby boys showed elevated levels of an enzyme (AChE) that breaks down acetylcholine, suggesting a diminished capacity to manage stress. Using machine learning, the researchers determined with 95 per cent accuracy whether baby girls had been exposed to maternal stress during pregnancy based on their RNA profiles. This discovery may help explain why children exposed to stress in the womb are more likely to face mental health or developmental challenges later in life. The researchers said the findings could raise awareness and lead to better support for pregnant women under stress, even if they don't have a formal diagnosis of anxiety or depression.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pregnant and Stressed? New research reveals SHOCKING impact of stress on unborn babies
Pregnancy is one of the most vital periods in any woman's life due to the profound physical, psychological, and social changes it brings. It's a time of immense growth, not just for the fetus, but also for the mother as she adapts to hormonal shifts, physical changes, and the emotional and psychological adjustments of motherhood. Apart from that, pregnancy can be a concerning period for many women due to the numerous physical, emotional, and social changes it brings. These changes include significant hormonal fluctuations, potential health risks like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, and the constant worry about the well-being of the developing baby. Additionally, pregnancy can impact a woman's body image, work life, and relationships, creating a complex web of concerns and anxieties. To sum it up, it can be pretty challenging to sail through the time period without its trials and tribulations. Naturally, it can be a fairly stressful time for the new mothers as well. However – no matter how inevitable it might be – the would-be mothers should try their best to do without the stress. Why so? According to a new study , stress experienced by mothers during pregnancy leaves a molecular imprint on their babies, starting before birth. Read on to know more. What does the study say? A new study reveals that stress experienced by mothers during pregnancy can affect their babies even before birth. Researchers found that this prenatal stress changes small RNA molecules in the blood of newborns, especially in girls. This may explain why some children are more at risk for developmental or mental health issues later in life. The study opens new possibilities for identifying and addressing health risks related to stress early on. This research was conducted as a part of the international FELICITy project, in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich and the University of Washington, among others. The research team analyzed blood samples from over 120 mother-infant pairs at the Hebrew University's Center for Genomic Technologies. The study, led by Professor Hermona Soreq and Shani Vaknine Treidel from the Edmond and Lily Safra Center of Brain Science at Hebrew University, focused on how a mother's perception of stress during pregnancy can alter important biological pathways in her baby. These pathways are linked to the cholinergic system, which is responsible for how the body responds to stress and inflammation. Prof. Soreq stated, "Even before babies take their first breath, the stress their mothers experience can shape how their bodies manage stress themselves." The researchers analyzed umbilical cord blood from babies born to mothers who reported high stress levels in the third trimester. They looked at small RNA molecules called tRNA fragments, which help control gene expression. Remarkably, the stress impacted whole families of tRNA fragments, especially those from mitochondrial DNA. What are the findings of the study? The findings were different by sex, with female newborns showing the biggest changes, including a near-total decrease in certain mitochondrial tRNA fragments. Many of these fragments, known as "CholinotRFs," target genes that control acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter for brain function and immune system regulation. The study also measured levels of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. Newborns of stressed mothers, especially boys, had much higher AChE levels, indicating an imbalance in their stress-response system right from birth. These biological changes might help explain why children exposed to high maternal stress during pregnancy could be more prone to neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions later on. Using machine learning, the researchers could classify female newborns as exposed or unexposed to maternal stress based on their CholinotRF profiles, achieving a success rate of 95%. This paves the way for new diagnostic tools to detect the effects of prenatal stress and possibly even early interventions. As per Vaknine Treidel, "This study provides a powerful look at how the maternal environment can leave a lasting biological impact on the next generation. It also highlights the importance of supporting mental health during pregnancy—not just for the mother, but for the lifelong health of the child." Study reveals how better planning may help in lowering amount of fat in diet
The Guardian
12-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Blood test could detect Parkinson's disease before symptoms emerge
Researchers have developed a simple and 'cost-effective' blood test capable of detecting Parkinson's disease long before symptoms emerge, according to a study. About 153,000 people live with Parkinson's in the UK, and scientists who undertook the research said the test could 'revolutionise' an early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, 'paving the way for timely interventions and improved patient outcomes'. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition in which nerve cells in the brain are lost over time. This leads to a reduction of the chemical dopamine which plays an important part in controlling movement. This new test, which the Times reports costs £80, analyses small pieces of genetic material known as transfer RNA fragments (tRFs) in the blood, focusing on a repetitive RNA sequence that accumulates in Parkinson's patients. It also looks at a parallel decline in mitochondrial RNA, which deteriorates as the disease progresses. Mitochondria exist inside cells and generate energy. By measuring the ratio between these biomarkers, researchers said the test 'offers a highly accurate, non-invasive, rapid and affordable diagnostic tool, providing hope for early interventions and treatments that could change the course of the disease'. On a scale where a score of 1 indicates a perfect test while 0.5 shows the test is no better than flipping a coin, the test scored 0.86, the Times reported. The best clinical tests presently used on patients showing early signs of the disease scored 0.73, according to the study published in the journal Nature Aging. The test uses the same PCR technology used during the pandemic to confirm Covid cases. It works by amplifying the genetic material being targeted, which allows it to be detected. 'This discovery represents a major advancement in our understanding of Parkinson's disease and offers a simple, minimally invasive blood test as a tool for early diagnosis,' said Prof Hermona Soreq of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who supervised the study. 'By focusing on tRFs, we've opened a new window into the molecular changes that occur in the earliest stages of the disease.' Prof David Dexter, director of research at Parkinson's UK, said: 'This research represents a new angle to explore in the search for a biological marker for Parkinson's. In this case the marker can be identified and measured in the blood which makes it attractive for a future patient-friendly diagnostic test for Parkinson's. 'More work is needed to continue to test and validate this possible test, especially understanding how it can distinguish between other conditions that have similar early signs to Parkinson's.' The study was led by PhD student Nimrod Madrer under the supervision of Prof Soreq at the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC) and the Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, at the Hebrew University, in collaboration with Dr Iddo Paldor from the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, and Dr Eyal Soreq from the University of Surrey and the Imperial College London.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Simple new blood test could help identify Parkinson's patients at early stages of disease
A simple blood test may help identify people at the earliest stages of Parkinson's disease, long before they begin to show symptoms, new research has found. The study, published on Friday in the journal Nature Aging, is the latest to identify early warning signs of Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative condition that affects about 10 million people worldwide and occurs when the brain slowly stops producing the chemical dopamine in areas that control movement and balance. There is no cure for Parkinson's, which causes tremors, stiffness, slow movement, and cognitive impairment. Most people are diagnosed based on these symptoms, but by that point, more than 60 per cent of dopamine neurons have already degraded – which is why scientists are hunting for ways to diagnose patients earlier. For the new study, Israeli researchers compared blood and brain tissue data between Parkinson's patients and those in good health. Related Parkinson's cases could double by 2050, reaching 25 million worldwide They focused on small RNA molecules known as transfer RNA fragments (tRFs), which appear to play a role in neurological issues such as Parkinson's. Two key biomarkers emerged; one that's linked to Parkinson's and another to the progression of the disease. Using a blood test to measure the distance between them could serve as an additional early diagnostic for the condition, the findings suggest. 'By focusing on tRFs, we've opened a new window into the molecular changes that occur in the earliest stages of the disease,' said Hermona Soreq, one of the study's authors and a professor of molecular neuroscience at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. But the researchers said bigger studies that follow a more diverse group of Parkinson's patients over time are needed to confirm their results and understand how changes to these biomarkers affect patient outcomes. Related Diabetes drug similar to Ozempic showed no benefits for patients with Parkinson's disease It's also not clear whether the blood test would be able to differentiate between Parkinson's and other conditions with similar early symptoms. 'More work is needed to continue to test and validate this possible test, especially understanding how it can distinguish between other conditions that have similar early signs to Parkinson's,' David Dexter, director of research at Parkinson's UK, told Euronews Health. 'This research represents a new angle to explore in the search for a biological marker for Parkinson's,' added Dexter, who was not involved with the study. Related Reducing air pollution exposure could curb Parkinson's risks, researchers say Other scientists have found additional biomarkers of interest. One EU-funded study published last year identified eight proteins in the blood that could help identify Parkinson's patients up to seven years before major symptoms appear. The prospect of a quick, reliable blood test for Parkinson's could 'alleviate the burden of uncertainty from suffering individuals, assist clinicians' care of those patients early in the disease process and open routes for developing and testing new therapeutics,' the Israeli researchers said.
Euronews
11-04-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Simple new blood test could help identify Parkinson's patients at early stages of disease
ADVERTISEMENT A simple blood test may help identify people at the earliest stages of Parkinson's disease, long before they begin to show symptoms, new research has found. The study, published on Friday in the journal Nature Aging , is the latest to identify early warning signs of Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative condition that affects about 10 million people worldwide and occurs when the brain slowly stops producing the chemical dopamine in areas that control movement and balance. There is no cure for Parkinson's, which causes tremors, stiffness, slow movement, and cognitive impairment. Most people are diagnosed based on these symptoms, but by that point, more than 60 per cent of dopamine neurons have already degraded – which is why scientists are hunting for ways to diagnose patients earlier. For the new study, Israeli researchers compared blood and brain tissue data between Parkinson's patients and those in good health. Related Parkinson's cases could double by 2050, reaching 25 million worldwide They focused on small RNA molecules known as transfer RNA fragments (tRFs), which appear to play a role in neurological issues such as Parkinson's. Two key biomarkers emerged; one that's linked to Parkinson's and another to the progression of the disease. Using a blood test to measure the distance between them could serve as an additional early diagnostic for the condition, the findings suggest. 'By focusing on tRFs, we've opened a new window into the molecular changes that occur in the earliest stages of the disease,' said Hermona Soreq, one of the study's authors and a professor of molecular neuroscience at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. More research needed to confirm findings But the researchers said bigger studies that follow a more diverse group of Parkinson's patients over time are needed to confirm their results and understand how changes to these biomarkers affect patient outcomes. Related Diabetes drug similar to Ozempic showed no benefits for patients with Parkinson's disease It's also not clear whether the blood test would be able to differentiate between Parkinson's and other conditions with similar early symptoms. 'More work is needed to continue to test and validate this possible test, especially understanding how it can distinguish between other conditions that have similar early signs to Parkinson's,' David Dexter, director of research at Parkinson's UK, told Euronews Health. 'This research represents a new angle to explore in the search for a biological marker for Parkinson's,' added Dexter, who was not involved with the study. Related Reducing air pollution exposure could curb Parkinson's risks, researchers say Other scientists have found additional biomarkers of interest. One EU-funded study published last year identified eight proteins in the blood that could help identify Parkinson's patients up to seven years before major symptoms appear. The prospect of a quick, reliable blood test for Parkinson's could 'alleviate the burden of uncertainty from suffering individuals, assist clinicians' care of those patients early in the disease process and open routes for developing and testing new therapeutics,' the Israeli researchers said.
