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In a Genomic Press Interview published today in Brain Medicine, Dr. Alex Tsompanidis highlights an exciting new idea that positions the placenta at the center of human neurodevelopment and evolution, challenging conventional wisdom about the origins of autism and human cognition. The interview, part of Genomic Press’s Innovators & Ideas series, captures a pivotal moment in neuroscience as researchers worldwide recognize pregnancy biology as fundamental to understanding brain diversity across all human populations.

Revolutionary framework reshapes global understanding

Dr. Tsompanidis, honored as one of Spectrum magazine’s top 40 under 40 autism researchers and recipient of the International Society for Autism Research Best Dissertation Award, has emerged as a new influential voice in developmental neuroscience. His research transcends traditional boundaries between obstetrics and neurology, revealing how prenatal steroid hormones produced by the placenta may fundamentally influence brain architecture and contribute to human neurodiversity.

His recent hypothesis, published in Evolutionary Anthropology, proposes that placental hormone production played a crucial role in the evolution of human cognitive capabilities, an idea that could fundamentally reframe how scientists understand the origins of human intelligence.

The significance of this work extends beyond academic circles. By highlighting the placenta as an active orchestrator of neurodevelopment rather than a passive barrier, Dr. Tsompanidis and his international collaborators have opened unprecedented avenues for understanding neurodiversity that could benefit millions of families worldwide.

“The placenta holds translational potential, as it is readily available at birth,” Dr. Tsompanidis explains in the interview. His vision encompasses screening protocols that could be implemented at birth and accelerate diagnosis and the offering of support for children with developmental differences.

From Athens laboratory to international research consortia

The interview traces Dr. Tsompanidis’s scientific journey from childhood microscopy experiments in Athens to leading research initiatives spanning three continents. His path illustrates how modern science transcends geographical boundaries, with formative experiences in Greece, the United States, Germany, and Taiwan shaping his multidisciplinary approach.

A defining moment came during his medical training in Athens when he encountered a seven-year-old autistic child who could not speak yet displayed remarkable curiosity about the world around him. The mother’s distress at receiving limited information about autism’s causes or her child’s future prospects crystallized Dr. Tsompanidis’s commitment to advancing scientific understanding. “I thought then that we ought to do better,” he reflects, describing how this encounter redirected his career toward unraveling autism’s biological foundations.

Placenta-brain axis emerges as scientific frontier

His current research supported by the Simons Foundation explores mechanisms through which the placenta and hormones such as testosterone and estrogens shape developing neural circuits. As part of a team led by Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen (Cambridge), Dr. Tsompanidis and his international research collaborators have teamed up to study biological factors across multiple levels of biology, from genetic variants to molecular pathways, and from brain structure to behavioral outcomes. This comprehensive approach reveals how pregnancy complications and neurodevelopmental conditions share common biological threads, particularly regarding prenatal sex differences, which may be particularly relevant in understanding the origins of autism; a condition that affects, on average, more males than females.

The evolutionary dimension of his work adds a new perspective, showing that adaptations in placental function may have enabled the development of humanity’s uniquely large and interconnected brains in the first place. This intriguing hypothesis links placental hormones to the emergence of complex cognition, language, and social behaviors that define our species. The implications extend to understanding why certain neurodevelopmental patterns persist across human populations despite varying environmental and cultural contexts.

His research philosophy emphasizes hypothesis-driven investigation combined with multidisciplinary perspectives. By connecting insights from obstetrics, evolutionary biology, and neuroscience, Dr. Tsompanidis exemplifies how crossing traditional academic boundaries generates transformative understanding. This approach has proven particularly valuable in recognizing patterns that single-discipline studies might overlook.

Advancing inclusive science and global collaboration

Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Tsompanidis advocates for greater inclusion in scientific endeavors, particularly highlighting barriers faced by international students and the urgent need for expanded research into women’s health conditions. He emphasizes how conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome remain poorly understood despite affecting millions worldwide, calling for concerted efforts to empower researchers of all genders and backgrounds to investigate these critical health challenges.

His commitment to mentoring reflects personal experience navigating international research environments. “Science is always collaborative,” he notes, crediting mentors who supported his journey while encouraging current students to pursue opportunities boldly. This perspective shapes the culture at the Autism Research Centre of the University of Cambridge, where he supervises students from various nations pursuing questions at the intersection of neurodevelopment and human evolution.

The interview reveals Dr. Tsompanidis’s broader vision for autism research that transcends medical models dividing health from pathology. He advocates for understanding autism as part of human neurodiversity’s natural spectrum, requiring collaboration with autistic communities to integrate lived experiences with clinical and basic research findings. This inclusive approach ensures research priorities align with community needs while advancing scientific understanding.

Dr. Alex Tsompanidis’s Genomic Press interview is part of a larger series called Innovators & Ideas that highlights the people behind today’s most influential scientific breakthroughs. Each interview in the series offers a blend of cutting-edge research and personal reflections, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the future. By combining a focus on professional achievements with personal insights, this interview style invites a richer narrative that both engages and educates readers. This format provides an ideal starting point for profiles that explore the scientist’s impact on the field, while also touching on broader human themes.

Christopher P.F. Marinangeli, PhD, RD, is the Director of the Centre for Regulatory Research and Innovation at Protein Industries Canada. He discusses the consumer-food interface from a regulatory perspective on plant protein in Canada

Over the last decade, there has been considerable dialogue around multiple attributes of food system sustainability and tackling the existential and interrelated challenges of non-communicable disease and climate change. These discussions have mainly been underpinned by protein in diets, and the heavy reliance on animal-based protein foods in OECD countries. ^{(1, 2)} In response to these initiatives, there has been enhanced dialogue on the promotion of plant protein foods in developed food systems and within dietary guidelines.

Dietary guidelines across regions have a history of promoting legumes, nuts, and seeds as nutrient-dense, plant-protein-rich foods. As consumers express increased interest in plant protein, there has been a surge in innovation aimed at creating new and familiar food platforms to help consumers incorporate plant proteins into their dietary patterns.

Traditional and innovative plant protein and alignment with healthy dietary guidelines

Legumes, nuts, and seeds are well-known traditional plant protein foods. They are nutrient-dense and associated with a reduced risk of non-communicable disease.

However, consumption remains relatively low in Canada. Innovation has focused on leveraging plant-based food and ingredients to provide consumers with options that are convenient and provide added variety to diets. Given that food innovation is consumer-driven mainly, these initiatives have often been used to develop plant-based options within familiar food categories to complement food preferences. ⁽¹⁾

As the plant protein industry continues to mature and health becomes an increasingly prevalent strategic pillar of food innovation, data is starting to show the benefits of plant protein analogues on health outcomes when they are formulated to be nutrient-dense and limit levels of nutrients of concern, such as saturated fat. ^{(3, 4)}

Remembering the consumer with regulatory responsiveness and agility to changing food systems

Never have so many plant-based protein foods been available to consumers. Governments and authoritative agencies have noted both health and economic opportunities by supporting the development of plant-based protein sectors. Some examples include UK Innovation’s National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (2024), the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture’s National Protein Strategy (2020), and Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster: Protein Industries Canada (2018).

However, just as it is important to allocate infrastructure and expertise to support sectoral growth, it is critical that developing sectors also receive support in the form of agile and responsive regulations and policies that facilitate market access and communication to consumers.

The scope of food-based dietary guidelines is to provide “advice on foods, food groups, and dietary patterns to provide the required nutrients to the general public and promote overall health and prevent chronic disease”. ⁽⁵⁾ The disconnect between regulations and policies at the consumer-food interface and national food system opportunities can impede successful engagement with consumers and stifle innovation that aligns with these goals.

There are numerous examples of these challenges. In Canada and the U.S., “source of protein” claims on foods are based on protein quantity and quality. Plant proteins typically have a lower protein quality than animal protein. Thus, plant protein foods identified in Canada’s Food Guide, such as pulses, nuts, and seeds, as well as innovative foods, can be challenged with making a “source of protein” claim in Canadian grocery stores because of current regulatory requirements. Adding to the misalignment is that Canada is one of the largest producers of pulses globally.

As a comparison, other regions such as the European Union or Australia that have similar food systems to Canada do not have protein quality requirements for “source of protein claims” for non-infant foods. The sole reliance on the quantity of protein per serving in these regions does not appear to be causing deficiencies in meeting protein requirements. Protein is the only nutrient in Canada and the U.S. with a quality requirement for substantiation of a nutrient content claim.

In addition, nomenclature has become a combative topic across jurisdictions. Embedded in food standards and historical context, how foods are identified in the market presents challenges for food innovation. Not clearly permitting the use of the term “meat” or “milk” even with the appropriate qualifier creates uncertainty for the sector on how to communicate plant protein innovation to consumers. Insights data demonstrate that consumers are aware that plant-based foods with qualified product names, such as “soy milk,” are not the same as traditional dairy milk. ⁽⁶⁾

However, consumers are challenged with not understanding nutritional equivalence ⁽⁶⁾, which can be addressed with labelling guidance or regulation. These examples demonstrate how regulation and policy can challenge the integration of innovation into food systems and, ultimately, consumer adoption to align with national nutritional and dietary priorities.

Embracing food environments with regulatory modernization

Protein is the most contentious nutrient when we talk about dietary transitions. We seem to be stuck in a comparative narrative between plant and animal protein that is unproductive for consumers and policy. Developed food systems are challenged with insufficient intakes of protective nutrients (i.e., fibre) and high intakes of nutrients of concern (i.e., saturated fat) that are risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases. In addition to traditional plant protein foods, many food innovators are using plant-protein foods to contribute to solving these challenges with a value proposition aligned with national food system priorities and investment.

A more collaborative approach from agri-food sectors is needed to expedite regulatory modernization. Breaking down prohibitive barriers will not displace entire agri-food sectors, where it is unlikely that most consumers in developed regions, including Canada, will consume diets that are entirely devoid of animal products due to cultural and traditional preferences.

It is equally as unlikely that not having the ability to label a high-protein plant product as a “source of protein” will cause a consumer who wants to eat plant-based protein more often to consume more animal proteins.

But modernizing regulations can ensure that all consumers have the tools required to make informed, healthy food choices and help them shift toward a more plant-forward dietary pattern if they desire.

References

1. Lurie-Luke, E., Alternative protein sources: science powered startups to fuel food innovation. Nature Communications, 2024. 15(1): p. 4425.
2. OECD/FAO. OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034. 2025 [cited 2025 August 8, 2025]; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1787/601276cd-en
3. Fernandez-Rodriguez, R., et al., Plant-based meat alternatives and cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr, 2025. 121(2): p. 274-283.
4. Nagra, M., et al., Animal vs Plant-Based Meat: A Hearty Debate. Can J Cardiol, 2024. 40(7): p. 1198-1209.
5. FAO. Dietary Guidelines. 2025 [cited 2025 August 11, 2025]; Available from: https://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-dietary-guidelines/en/
6. Food and Drug Administration, Draft Guidance – Labeling of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements: Guidance for Industry. 2023: Washington DC.

Novel research shows that in approximately one third of countries and territories worldwide, population aging was the largest contributor to the growing burden of musculoskeletal disorders from 1990 to 2021. The new study in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, published by Elsevier, is poised to inform targeted public health strategies and healthcare resource allocation to alleviate the global burden and economic impact of these disorders.

Musculoskeletal disorders-conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, and back pain-are among the leading causes of disability globally. As the global population ages at an accelerating pace, so do the associated health and economic challenges. While a growing concern, little was known about to what extent the increasing burden of musculoskeletal disorders is directly driven by population aging itself, as opposed to other factors like population growth.

This new study quantified the net effect of population aging on the global burden and healthcare costs of these disorders. Using the Global Burden of Disease 2021 data, researchers disentangled the effects of population aging from those of population growth and changes in age-specific epidemiological rates, while accounting for geographic variation, sociodemographic factors, sex differences, and major musculoskeletal subcategories. They also estimated healthcare costs of musculoskeletal disorders attributed to population aging.

Population aging is an inevitable global trend, but its impact on musculoskeletal disorders is not equally distributed. Our study shows that middle-income countries are experiencing the steepest proportional increases yet often have the least prepared healthcare systems to respond.”

Hai-Feng Pan, MD, lead investigator, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, and Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui, China

Key findings include:

• In about one third of countries and territories, population aging was the largest contributor to the increasing burden of musculoskeletal disorders.
• Middle-income countries bore the highest proportional burden of musculoskeletal disorders from population aging, despite having younger populations than high-income countries. This reflects the rapid demographic shift in these countries combined with limited health system readiness to meet older adults’ needs.
• Globally, men experienced greater impact of population aging, particularly in high- and high-middle-income countries. Women were more affected in low- to middle-income countries.
• Osteoarthritis was the most affected musculoskeletal disorder globally, followed by gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Population aging-related musculoskeletal disorders cost US$96 billion in global healthcare costs in 2021, equivalent to 0.10% of the global gross domestic product (GDP), surpassing the costs attributed to common modifiable risk factors.

“This research has confirmed that population growth and aging of populations in all countries drive most of these increases, and the study’s uniqueness lies in its inclusion of the financial impact on societies aiming to deliver healthcare for musculoskeletal conditions,” comments leading authority in the field Professor Lyn March, AM, MBBS, PhD, Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), Principal Collaborator; Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health (GMUSC), Executive Co-Lead; and Professor of Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology, University of Sydney and Kolling Institute, Australia. “Musculoskeletal health is crying out for attention and costing individuals and societies physically, emotionally, and financially. If not now, when will there be a global strategy addressing the pain and mobility loss of the billions living with a musculoskeletal disorder?”

Co-lead investigator of the study Shi-Yang Guan, MD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, and Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui, notes, “Our results can help policymakers prioritize interventions tailored to sociodemographic context, sex differences, and specific musculoskeletal disorders, including strengthening preventive measures, improving long-term management, and ensuring sustainable financing to address the rising costs attributed to population aging. Ultimately, this could reduce disability, improve quality of life for older adults, and make healthcare systems more resilient.”

“This study is a wake-up call for politicians and other stakeholders in the European Union and other parts of the world to focus research efforts on understanding, preventing, and treating musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, in an aging population to ensure aging in health and with good quality of life,” adds Josef Smolen, MD, Medical University of Vienna, and Editor-in-Chief of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Findings from a King’s College London study indicate that people not following a Mediterranean – style diet tended to have more severe gum disease, especially if they consumed red meat frequently.

In these patients, the researchers observed higher levels of circulating inflammatory markers, such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

However, patients whose diets were rich in plant-based food which are typical of a Mediterranean diet, such as legumes, vegetables, fruits and olive oil, showed lower levels of various inflammatory markers.

The research, published on September 15 in the Journal of Periodontology, evaluated 200 hospital patients enrolled in the King’s College London Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Biobank by performing dental exams, taking blood samples, and asking them about their diets through questionnaires.

The Mediterranean diet is known for its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. It has been associated with a lower risk of developing major diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and certain cancers.

There is substantial evidence showing that diet might play a role on human health by affecting the immune system and moderating inflammation. This depends on the composition of molecules in the diet, which include macronutrients, micronutrients and phytochemicals. Plant-based diets can contain more of these molecules which can lead to lower inflammation.

Dr Giuseppe Mainas, first author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at King’s College London, said: “Our findings suggest that a balanced, Mediterranean-type diet could potentially reduce gum disease and systemic inflammation.

“We observed that there may be a connection between periodontal disease severity, diet, and inflammation. These aspects should be holistically considered when assessing the treatment for periodontitis in patients. Our research offers an important starting point that can lead to more research to better understand the relationship between foods intake and gum disease.”

Professor Luigi Nibali, lead author and a Professor of Periodontology from King’s College London said: “There is emerging evidence about the role that a balanced diet might have in maintaining a periodontal healthy status. Our research shows the potential effect that a nutrient-dense, plant-rich diet could play in improving the nation’s gum health. Nevertheless, more investigation is needed to develop personalised approaches to help people manage their gum health.”