The development of the nervous system is by no meager means simple. This process that includes the growth of the brain is genetically encoded, highly regulated, and orchestrated. Even the environment has a huge influence on the process.
With this in mind, it’s to be expected that any deviation from the development process may result in a disorder, specifically, a neurodevelopmental disorder. There are many major factors, such as the timing of these deviations. But as for the known causes, scientists and researchers alike have found a few that include deprivation, genetic and metabolic diseases, immune system malfunction, physical trauma, and as mentioned earlier, environmental factors.
Take for instance deprivation from social, mental, and emotional care. This causes delays when it comes to brain and cognitive development. More often than not these delays are severe, especially when deprivation occurs during infancy and early childhood.
Genetics though, is a bit different since it cannot be controlled. The best example of genetics playing a part in a neurodevelopmental disorder can be seen in children with Down syndrome. Immune dysfunction is also like genetics in the sense that it cannot be controlled. A lot of neurodevelopmental disorders that involve immune dysfunction happen during pregnancy. The disorder known as Sydenham’s chorea, wherein the body moves in an abnormal fashion has been found to be rooted in the body and reaction against Streptococcus bacteria, in which brain tissue is damaged.
Dr. Curtis Cripe is a neuroengineer with a background that includes child neurodevelopment. He is the head of the Research and Development department of NTL group. Learn more about Dr. Cripe’s work by visiting this Facebook page.
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With this in mind, it’s to be expected that any deviation from the development process may result in a disorder, specifically, a neurodevelopmental disorder. There are many major factors, such as the timing of these deviations. But as for the known causes, scientists and researchers alike have found a few that include deprivation, genetic and metabolic diseases, immune system malfunction, physical trauma, and as mentioned earlier, environmental factors.
Take for instance deprivation from social, mental, and emotional care. This causes delays when it comes to brain and cognitive development. More often than not these delays are severe, especially when deprivation occurs during infancy and early childhood.
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Genetics though, is a bit different since it cannot be controlled. The best example of genetics playing a part in a neurodevelopmental disorder can be seen in children with Down syndrome. Immune dysfunction is also like genetics in the sense that it cannot be controlled. A lot of neurodevelopmental disorders that involve immune dysfunction happen during pregnancy. The disorder known as Sydenham’s chorea, wherein the body moves in an abnormal fashion has been found to be rooted in the body and reaction against Streptococcus bacteria, in which brain tissue is damaged.
Dr. Curtis Cripe is a neuroengineer with a background that includes child neurodevelopment. He is the head of the Research and Development department of NTL group. Learn more about Dr. Cripe’s work by visiting this Facebook page.
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