Welcome to the December 2025 Learning Brain News.

As always, it is packed with ideas and links that you may find interesting.

Here are some that especially caught our attention:

• Screen time predicts ADHD symptons in tweens
• Overdiagnosis epidemic making us sick
• Supplement mix may have potential to moderate autism traits

Your Brain Rewires Itself at Ages 9, 32, 66 and 83

Neuroscientists at the University of Cambridge have identified five major phases of human brain wiring that unfold from birth to old age, marked by four major turning points at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83.

These rewiring points reveal when the brain is most adaptable, or vulnerable, and could help explain learning differences, mental health risk, and neurodegeneration.

Insomnia Keeps the Brain Stuck in Daytime Mode

Research by the University of South Australia published in Sleep Medicine, suggests that insomnia involves a biological timing problem in how the brain powers down at night, not just behavioral difficulty falling asleep.

The researchers say current insomnia treatments often focus on behavioural strategies. However, tailored approaches that address circadian and cognitive factors could provide a better solution.

Supplement Mix Reverses Autism Traits

Researchers have discovered that a low-dose mixture of three common nutrients can reduce behavioural symptoms in mouse models of autism. This could eventually lead to a safe, efficient, nutrient-based strategy for long-term support of children with ASD.

Screen Time a Predictor of Increased ADHD Symptoms in Tweens

A recent study at the University of Fukui, Japan showed longer daily screen use at ages 9–10 predicted higher ADHD symptoms two years later, even after accounting for baseline symptom levels.

The Brain That Changes Itself - Revisiting the New York Times Book Review

Dr Norman Doidge's best selling book, “The Brain That Changes Itself” did more than any other to change our view of the brain’s ability to “rewire”. Although it was published well over a decade ago, the book’s description of “neuroplasticity.” remains just as relevant and useful today as it did in 2007.

11 Signs That May Indicate Your Child has a Working Memory Problem

Are you a concerned parent wondering if your child may have a working memory problem? Could they be having trouble holding information in their mind and then use it when thinking.

Complete this simple 11 question checklist to see if your child may have a weak working memory. Download it here.