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Developmental plasticity in children: the role of biological risk, development, time, and reserve
1Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. mdennis@sickkids.on.ca
Insights
Older views suggested young age protected the developing central nervous system (CNS). New research shows neurobehavioral outcomes depend on biological risk, age, and environmental support systems.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Historically, young age was believed to confer protection against central nervous system (CNS) insults.
- This perspective suggested earlier insult onset led to milder symptoms and faster recovery.
- Recent research, aided by brain imaging, reveals a more complex understanding of CNS plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the concept of functional developmental plasticity in the context of CNS insults.
- To explore the factors influencing neurobehavioral outcomes following early-life brain injury.
- To integrate new findings on brain plasticity into existing theoretical frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on neurobehavioral outcomes in pediatric CNS conditions.
- Analysis of studies utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques to assess brain structure and function.
- Synthesis of research on the interplay between biological risk and environmental factors.
Main Results:
- Neurobehavioral outcomes are not solely determined by age at insult onset.
- Biological risk associated with a medical condition is a primary determinant of outcome.
- Age, developmental stage, time since onset, and available support (child, family, community) significantly moderate outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The understanding of functional developmental plasticity has evolved beyond simple age-related protection.
- Neurobehavioral outcomes are multifactorial, influenced by a complex interplay of biological, developmental, and environmental factors.
- A nuanced view of developmental plasticity is essential for predicting and supporting children with CNS insults.
Abstract:
Older views of the functional developmental plasticity of the developing central nervous system (CNS) focused on the protective effect of a young age at the time of insult. In these views, a younger rather than an older age at onset was thought to produce fewer and/or less severe symptoms and a more rapid recovery. More recently, neurobehavioral outcome has been studied in a variety of medical conditions that affect the developing CNS; at the same time, new investigative techniques, such as brain imaging, have elucidated the biological basis of structural and functional brain plasticity. In consequence of a better understanding of the structural and functional consequences of developmental CNS insults, a body of research has emerged that is shaping a new view of functional developmental plasticity, in which neurobehavioral outcome is set by the biological risk associated with a medical condition and moderated by age and development, the time since onset of the condition, and the reserve available within the child, family, school, and community.