Unraveling the miswired connectome: a developmental perspective

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Most mental illnesses are viewed as developmental disorders of neural interactions (connectome miswiring).
• Advances in pediatric in vivo brain imaging are enabling the identification of brain-based biomarkers for developmental disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in pediatric brain connectome imaging.
• To discuss the potential for understanding developmental miswiring and its impact on mental illness.
• To highlight challenges and opportunities in the field.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent pediatric brain imaging techniques.
• Analysis of connectome development from in utero to adulthood.
• Exploration of biomarkers for developmental disorders.

Main Results:

• Pediatric imaging offers a pathway to identify brain-based biomarkers for developmental disorders.
• Studying the evolving connectome throughout life can shift understanding from phenomenology to etiology.
• Significant obstacles remain in translating these advances to public health impact.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric brain imaging is crucial for understanding mental illnesses as developmental disorders.
• The study of the developing connectome holds promise for etiological nosology.
• Overcoming current challenges is essential for improving public health outcomes.