Costs of Underfunding Brain Development.
Tsuji M., Molnár Z.
BACKGROUND: Healthcare costs are rising at an exponential rate. Given the constraints of limited resources, it is essential to make informed decisions about priorities to ensure the best possible health outcomes globally. The history of medicine illustrates how these priorities have shifted over time - from early focus on infectious diseases to later emphasis on noncommunicable conditions such as metabolic disorders. Today, neurodegenerative diseases and aging brain are the forefront of medical research, as these conditions profoundly affect individuals, families, and society. SUMMARY: One in three people will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime, yet it is not widely recognized that many of these conditions may have origins in pre-birth experiences and early life influences. Disruptions in progenitor proliferation, neuronal and glial migration, and differentiation during prenatal development can contribute to lifelong neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Despite the fundamental importance of brain development, most of the neuroscience funding is allocated to studying neurodegeneration, such as dementia and Parkinson's disease, while early life influences remain underexplored. Crucially, the impact of developmental factors begins even before conception. Environmental risks extend beyond direct maternal exposures during pregnancy; they include cumulative parental exposure to teratogenic agents affecting both male and female gametes, as well as early life environmental exposures affecting newborns, infants, and children. These influences are complex yet highly relevant to long-term health outcomes. KEY MESSAGES: We urge greater recognition of the developmental origins of disease and advocate for increased investment in preventive strategies. These include lifestyle modifications, dietary improvements, targeted supplementation, regular exercise, and minimizing exposure to environmental pollutants. Addressing these factors proactively could yield profound benefits for both individual and public health.