Published in:
01-12-2010 | Editorial
Development of Brain Structures, Connections, and Functions
Published in: Neuropsychology Review | Issue 4/2010
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Concepts regarding structural and functional development of the brain have changed dramatically over the last generation. The birth and death of neurons as a normal developmental process in utero and post partum allow for significant influence of environmental interaction in modeling brain development. In this issue of Neuropsychology Review, six papers, written by researchers with extensive expertise in different areas of brain development, provide evidence of the fragility, plasticity, and resilience of the developing brain. Estimation and tracking of neurodevelopmental changes are aided by a variety of neuroimaging modalities that enable safe, longitudinal examination of changing brain structure (e.g., Fig. 1) and function. The astounding importance that early childhood experiences has on neuropsychological and psychiatric health cannot be underestimated and underscores the value of early nurturing, emotional interchange, and energetic engagement in educational experiences.
Fig. 1
Magnetic resonance images of five young, healthy individuals, age 1 month to 14 years. Notable changes in morphology include enlargement of intracranial and ventricular volume and change in conspicuity of tissue types on proton density images. For example, before age 1 year, white matter is generally unmyelinated and appears brighter than gray matter because of the higher water content in unmyelinated white matter compared with myelinated white matter or gray matter. After 1 year of age, myelination proceeds, causing myelinated white matter, with its high lipid content, to appear darker than gray matter, which has higher water concentration than myelinated white matter. Images were produced courtesy of Adolf Pfefferbaum, M.D., Director of the Neuroscience Program, SRI International and Professor Emeritus, Stanford University School of Medicine
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