Tag Archives: Stanford

Two NIH-Funded Studies Offer Hope for Preventing Neonatal Brain Injury in 2026

As reported in the NIH database in November 2025, “In recent years, there has been increasing interest in identifying and validating biomarkers capable of predicting the onset and progression of IVH, as well as other forms of neonatal brain injury.“ Two studies published this month offer fresh hope for preventing and treating neonatal brain injuries, conditions that affect thousands of American infants each year and can lead to lifelong disabilities.

Detailed in Pediatric Research on January 3, a comprehensive care model demonstrates how integrated treatment from prenatal care through early childhood can improve outcomes for at-risk newborns. Of the approximately 3.6 million babies born annually in the United States, about 10 – 15% require Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission. The collaborative program addresses what researchers call a critical window, as “injuries during these stages can lead to lifelong disabilities.”

Meanwhile, Stanford University researchers reported January 5 in the Journal of Perinatology that advanced monitoring techniques can better predict dangerous brain bleeds in premature infants. Their study of 482 preterm babies found that low cerebral oxygenation increases mortality risk more than fourfold.

Both studies build upon past NIH-supported research through the Neonatal Research Network.

Cursive Writing Benefits to Students & the Brain Injured

Cursive writing functions as a complex motor skill that can remarkably persist even when brain injury patients lose explicit memory of how to perform it. This surprising phenomenon occurs because cursive engages procedural memory systems stored in the basal ganglia and cerebellum, which often remain intact when other cognitive functions are impaired. Recent NIH-funded research demonstrates that “attempting to write each letter produces a unique pattern of activity in the brain,” as Stanford’s Dr. Frank Willett explained in a 2025 study. A comprehensive 2025 analysis published by the NIH found that cursive writing creates enhanced connectivity across motor, visual, and memory regions.

For brain injury survivors, studies suggest cursive practice offers superior rehabilitation benefits. Unlike typing, which “relies on repetitive finger movements,” cursive engages “fine motor coordination and smooth transitions between letters,” activating broader neural networks crucial for recovery, according to recent university research. The continuous motor control required for cursive helps rebuild damaged neural pathways and enhances fine motor skills essential for rehabilitation.

Currently, many states have been dropping cursive instruction as a curriculum requirement, but recent neurological evidence has prompted policy reversals. New Jersey State Senator Angela McKnight recently advanced legislation requiring cursive proficiency by fifth grade, stating: “We’re doing our children a disservice by not teaching them a vital skill they will need for the rest of their lives.” California, Kentucky, and New Hampshire have reinstated requirements after recognizing cursive’s cognitive benefits. This resurgence reflects growing understanding that cursive writing enhances memory retention, motor control, and neural integration—benefits particularly valuable for cognitive development and including for those with a brain injury.