Mechanisms and Genetics of Neurodevelopmental Cognitive Disorders

Mechanisms and Genetics of Neurodevelopmental Cognitive Disorders connects neurodevelopment with genetics and behavior to better understand the underlying factors leading to cognitive neurodevelopmental disorders. This book focuses on mechanisms of disease and follows the development of specific brain regions, functions, and gene expression to causes and processes in autism, attention deficit disorder, and learning disabilities. Topics include brain mapping, brain plasticity, epigenetics, neuroimmunology, and many other factors that influence the development of these diseases. This book will promote understanding of recent investigations and developments related to brain development from fetal life onward with specific relevance to neurodevelopmental cognitive disorders and conditions. This is an essential reference for anyone who is looking to learn more about different aspects of neurodevelopment and emerging concepts in psychiatric disorders. - Discusses links between brain development, gene expression, and brain function - Covers neural stem cells, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and neurogenesis - Includes brain mapping, brain plasticity, epigenetics, neuroimmunology, and more - Provides insight into causation and brain function in autism, attention deficit disorder, and learning disabilities - Examines impact of society and environmental factors on mental health

Dr. Moyra Smith is a Professor Emerita in the Department of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, College of Health Sciences, at the University of California, Irvine, and in past years has held appointments at the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins University. In 2017, the UCI Emeriti Association awarded Dr. Smith the UCI Outstanding Emerita Award in recognition of her continuing research on genetics and genomics, strong record of publications, active engagement with programs in the Department of Pediatrics, mentoring of graduate students, and involvement with the CART Autism Center at UCI. Dr. Moyra Smith has published more than 100 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals such as Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, Molecular Psychiatry, the Journal of Medical Genetics (JMG), and Cytogenetics Cell Genetics.