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The Brain Basis of Comorbidity in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

  • Comorbidities (D Dewey, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Research examining brain development in neurodevelopmental disorders has largely comprised small-scale studies on individual disorders. Findings have confirmed neurodevelopmental disruption and deviation; however, comorbidity between disorders continues to challenge our understanding of brain-behaviour associations. This review discusses early brain development and the etiological factors that may give rise to atypical developmental trajectories, along with neuroimaging insights into neurodevelopmental disorders.

Recent Findings

Evidence related to the behavioural, neurological, genetic and environmental factors impacting on brain development is examined. Large neuroimaging databases are currently being used to identify early alterations in brain development and areas of divergence and convergence between disorders are reviewed.

Summary

Investigative approaches based on diagnostic groups continue to challenge our ability to elucidate regions of the brain linked to behavioural phenotypes, especially those known to be shared across disorders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

    Melissa K. Licari, Amy Finlay-Jones, Gail A. Alvares, Jenny Downs, Andrew J. O. Whitehouse, Helen Leonard, Kiah L. Evans & Kandice Varcin

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

    Jess E. Reynolds

  3. Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    Alicia J. Spittle

  4. The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    Alicia J. Spittle

  5. Department of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    Alicia J. Spittle

  6. School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

    Kiah L. Evans

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Licari, M.K., Finlay-Jones, A., Reynolds, J.E. et al. The Brain Basis of Comorbidity in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Curr Dev Disord Rep 6, 9–18 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-019-0156-7

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