The Brain Basis of Comorbidity in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Research examining brain development in neurodevelopmental disorders has largely comprised small-scale studies on individual disorders. Findings have confirmed neurodevelopmental disruption and deviation; however, comorbidity between disorders continues to challenge our understanding of brain-behaviour associations. This review discusses early brain development and the etiological factors that may give rise to atypical developmental trajectories, along with neuroimaging insights into neurodevelopmental disorders. Recent Findings: Evidence related to the behavioural, neurological, genetic and environmental factors impacting on brain development is examined. Large neuroimaging databases are currently being used to identify early alterations in brain development and areas of divergence and convergence between disorders are reviewed. Summary: Investigative approaches based on diagnostic groups continue to challenge our ability to elucidate regions of the brain linked to behavioural phenotypes, especially those known to be shared across disorders.