title: Reducing neurodevelopmental disorders and disability through research and interventions.
abstract: We define neurodevelopment as the dynamic inter-relationship between genetic, brain, cognitive, emotional and behavioural processes across the developmental lifespan. Significant and persistent disruption to this dynamic process through environmental and genetic risk can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders and disability. Research designed to ameliorate neurodevelopmental disorders in low- and middle-income countries, as well as globally, will benefit enormously from the ongoing advances in understanding their genetic and epigenetic causes, as modified by environment and culture. We provide examples of advances in the prevention and treatment of, and the rehabilitation of those with, neurodevelopment disorders in low- and middle-income countries, along with opportunities for further strategic research initiatives. Our examples are not the only possibilities for strategic research, but they illustrate problems that, when solved, could have a considerable impact in low-resource settings. In each instance, research in low- and middle-income countries led to innovations in identification, surveillance and treatment of a neurodevelopmental disorder. These innovations have also been integrated with genotypic mapping of neurodevelopmental disorders, forming important preventative and rehabilitative interventions with the potential for high impact. These advances will ultimately allow us to understand how epigenetic influences shape neurodevelopmental risk and resilience over time and across populations. Clearly, the most strategic areas of research opportunity involve cross-disciplinary integration at the intersection between the environment, brain or behaviour neurodevelopment, and genetic and epigenetic science. At these junctions a robust integrative cross-disciplinary scientific approach is catalysing the creation of technologies and interventions for old problems. Such approaches will enable us to achieve and sustain the United Nations moral and legal mandate for child health and full development as a basic global human right.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Osteopathic Medicine, 965 Fee Road, East Fee Hall Room 225, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.|International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (INPEP), West Fee Hall Room 321, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1315, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Boivin
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, PO Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Angelina M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kakooza
authors.affiliation: Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, 300 Longwood Avenue, Hunnewell, 2nd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Warf
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, College of Physicians and Surgeons at the Columbia University Medical Center, 722 West 168 Street 1613, New York, New York 10032, USA.|Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons at the Columbia University Medical Center, 722 West 168 Street 1613, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Leslie L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: Yale Child Study Center, Department of Psychology, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University, PO Box 207900, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-7900, USA.
authors.forename: Elena L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Grigorenko
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D002648:Child; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000523:psychology; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000382:microbiology / Q000523:psychology; D065886:Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000009:adverse effects; D064128:Nodding Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000067073:Psychological Trauma / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D009498:Neurotoxins