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Development
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Understanding the neurobiology of the developing and maturing brain is key to identifying, treating, and eventually preventing neurological disorders such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, learning disorders, epilepsy, and childhood onset of schizophrenia or depression that are among the most persistent problems in child and adolescent psychiatry.
ADHD
Neurobiological conditions in which a child displays a lack of attention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. Poor learning and concentration is considered attentive ADHD (ADD), while poor concentration in conjunction with hyperactivity or impulsivity are considered hyperactive ADHD or impulsive ADHD. ADHD frequently occurs in males before age seven, and is usually found in conjunction with other disruptive behavior disorders.
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Paul Swank, Ph.D.
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Autism
Severe deficits in social interactions, language difficulties, and stereotypies (repeated behaviors). Can be seen in some infants, although more apparent at a time that the child should be developing social skills. Autism is characterized by lack of reciprocal social interactions.
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Katherine A. Loveland, Ph.D.
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Childhood Onset of Adult Psychoses
Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression are among the psychoses that are usually diagnosed in adults, but many of these psychiatric disorders begin in childhood. Because they are undiagnosed, they go untreated.
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Alan C. Swann, M.D.
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Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a reading and language-based learning disability. Dyslexics may have problems recognizing words that they already know and may have problems with decoding skills such as math or grammar. About 15 percent to 20 percent of people in the United States have a language-based disability, and most of these are dyslexic.
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Richard E. Frye, M.D., Ph.D.
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Epilepsy/Seizures
Uncontrolled electrical discharges that occur at random intervals in the brain causing convulsions. Seizures can occur as a result of birth trauma, depressed skull fracture, penetrating wound to the brain, or interference from a benign brain tumour. There may also be genetic factors involved.
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Ian Butler, M.D.
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Fragile X/Down Syndrome
Genetic errors that result in condition-specific retardation. Fragile X is a break in the X chromosome, and women are carriers while males are affected. Down’s Syndrome is the result of a chromosome being inherited in triplicate, and occurs more frequently in children of older mothers.
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C. Thomas Caskey, M.D., F.A.C.P.
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Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are caused by differences in brain structure that are probably set before birth. It is not a lack of intelligence but an inability to process certain kinds of information and can affect reading, speaking and math skills.
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Susan Landry, Ph.D.
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Spina Bifida
A “developmental error” when vertebrae fail to fuse which leaves the spinal cord unprotected. The extent of disability depends on the extent of unprotected nerves. Untreated, it can lead to mental retardation and paralysis.
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Hope Northrup, M.D.
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Tuberous Sclerosis
Tuberous sclerosis is a relatively rare genetic disease marked by benign tumors in the brain and on other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, lungs, and skin. Other common symptoms include seizures, mental retardation, behavior problems, and skin abnormalities.
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Michael Gambello, M.D., Ph.D.
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