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Age, plasticity, and homeostasis in childhood brain disorders

Maureen Dennis1, Brenda J Spiegler, Jenifer J Juranek

  • 1Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.

Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|October 8, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Younger age typically means greater brain plasticity, a concept known as the young age plasticity privilege. This review explores the link between youth and brain plasticity across various human and animal studies.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Pediatric Medicine

Background:

  • The concept of a 'young age plasticity privilege' suggests heightened brain plasticity in immature organisms.
  • Understanding this privilege is crucial for addressing pediatric brain disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between young age and brain plasticity.
  • To review evidence from human pediatric disorders, animal models, and adult brain studies.
  • To explore developmental disorders linked to regulatory homeostasis failure.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of human pediatric brain disorders.
  • Analysis of animal models of brain development and plasticity.
  • Examination of human developmental and adult brain disorder studies.
  • Review of acquired childhood disorders affecting regulatory homeostasis.

Main Results:

  • The review synthesizes findings on brain plasticity across different age groups and conditions.
  • Evidence from diverse studies supports the association between youth and enhanced neural adaptability.
  • Disorders involving regulatory homeostasis failure are analyzed in the context of developmental plasticity.

Conclusions:

  • The young age plasticity privilege is a significant factor in brain development and disorder recovery.
  • Further research into age-related plasticity can inform therapeutic strategies for neurological conditions.
  • Understanding plasticity dynamics is key to addressing failures in regulatory homeostasis during development.

Keywords:
Age at brain injuryChildhood-acquired brain damageHomeostasisNeurodevelopmental disordersPlasticityTime since brain injury

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