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Related Experiment Videos

Atypical epigenesis.

Annette Karmiloff-Smith1

  • 1Developmental Neurocognition Lab, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK. a.karmiloff-smith@bbk.ac.uk

Developmental Science
|December 22, 2006
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Developmental disorders are not fixed; gene expression is activity-dependent. Studying genetic disorders requires looking beyond clear deficits to understand subtle effects and behavioral proficiency in atypical epigenesis.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Little in biological development is predetermined; gene expression is activity-dependent and epigenesis is probabilistic.
  • Traditional views of developmental disorders focus on intact versus impaired modules.
  • The infant cortex transitions from high interconnectivity to specialized, localized function over time.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To advocate for a shift in studying genetic disorders.
  • To emphasize the probabilistic nature of epigenesis and activity-dependent gene expression.
  • To highlight the need to consider subtle effects of early brain deficits on other regions, even within normal ranges.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of developmental neuroscience principles.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Review of existing frameworks for studying genetic and developmental disorders.
  • Emphasis on longitudinal and comprehensive assessment of brain development.

    • Main Results:

    • Atypical epigenesis may result in a lack of specialization and localization of brain function.
    • Early deficits in one brain region can have subtle, widespread effects.
    • Behavioral proficiency does not exclude underlying atypical developmental processes.

    Conclusions:

    • The study of genetic disorders must evolve beyond a modular approach.
    • Developmental neuroscientists should consider the interconnectedness of the developing brain.
    • Atypical epigenesis requires examining both deficits and proficiencies for a complete understanding.