neurodevelopment
Group Leader - Doctor Marc Seal
Typical brain developmental milestones might include a toddler's
first steps, a preschooler learning to read and socialise, or a
teenager developing a sense of identity. Despite the universality
of these experiences relatively little is understood about the
underlying neurodevelopmental processes that provide the rich
diversity in behaviour, skills and personality observed in children
and adolescents.
Disorders of neurodevelopmental (e.g. autism, ADHD) are also
associated with significant degrees of emotional, physical and
economic burden to individuals, families and society in
general.
The aim of the neurodevelopment research affinity group at Murdoch
Childrens is to comprehensively track neurodevelopment from
conception to young adulthood. The Institute has a unique
concentration of high-end neuroimaging resources, multidisciplinary
research expertise and access to large, well-defined paediatric
cohorts to track neurodevelopment.
The Neurodevelopment Research Affinity Group brings together
research and clinical expertise from a range of disciplines
including neuroimaging, genetics, developmental medicine, and
community mental health to measure neurodevelopment comprehensively
from conception to young adulthood.
The Affinity Group is particularly interested in further
understanding the complex interaction between genetic and
environmental factors on brain development, aiming to develop a
framework and baseline for better understanding the impact of
trauma or illness on neurodevelopment and outcome.