Studying brain development in Mice and Men

Advanced parental age is linked to a host of adverse mental health outcomes in children, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown as it is challenging to determine whether the risk comes from having an older father and/or mother, and in separating the potential biological from societal effects of having older parents. Mouse models offer us a unique opportunity to study whether there is a causal link between having older parents and altered behaviour as we can control the key variables underlying advanced parental age and measure the impact on the behaviour of mice across development.

Autism, affecting around 2% of people, is a neurodevelopmental condition with differences in social interaction, communication, and interests. Linked to genetics from conception, it's often identified later. I will discuss studies that revealed sensory reactivity and sleep changes before an official autism diagnosis, potentially relating to fearfulness and anxiety, suggesting support strategies. Sleep changes may connect to daytime brain states and cognitive development. Examining early sensory and sleep patterns offers insights into neurodevelopmental conditions and neurodiversity.