Healthy and abnormal development of the prefrontal cortex.
BACKGROUND
While many children with brain conditions present with cognitive, behavioural, emotional, academic and social impairments, other children recover with seemingly few impairments. Animal studies and preliminary child studies have identified timing of brain lesion as a key predictor in determining functional outcome following early brain lesions.


METHODS
This research suggests that knowledge of healthy developmental processes in brain structure and function is essential for better understanding functional recovery and outcome in children with brain lesions. This review paper aims to equip researchers with current knowledge of key principles of developmental processes in brain structure and function. Timetables for development of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region particularly vulnerable to lesions due to its protracted developmental course, are examined. In addition, timetables for development of executive skills, which emerge in childhood and have a prolonged developmental course that parallels development of the PFC, are also discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Equipped with this knowledge, researchers are now in a better position to understand functional recovery and outcome in children with brain conditions.
Spencer-Smith
Megan
M
Critical Care and Neurosciences, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, FlemingtonRoad, Parkville, VIC 3054, Australia. megan.spencer-smith@mcri.edu.au
Anderson
Vicki
V
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D003423:Critical Period, Psychological; D056344:Executive Function; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020127:Recovery of Function