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Psychology 304:
Brain and Behaviour
Lecture 25
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders
1. What neurodevelopmental disorders have been
identified? (continued)
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By the end of today’s class, you should be able to:
1. describe the causes and symptoms of disorders
associated with neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
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What neurodevelopmental disorders have been
identified? (continued)
5. Autism
 Occurs as a result of a neurodevelopmental error
between 20 and 24 days after conception. Precise
error is unknown.
 Caused by abnormalities in the gene Hoxa 1 in
some, but not all, cases and/or exposure to
neurotoxins.
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 Associated with abnormal brain development:
shortened brain stem, underdeveloped and
missing nuclei within the brain stem, abnormal
frontal lobes, reduced mirror neuron activity,
smaller corpus callosum and amygdala.
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 Accompanied by three core symptoms:
1. reduced capacity for social interaction.
2. reduced capacity for communication.
3. preoccupation with a single subject or activity.
Typically, perseveration is observed. In some
cases, mental retardation and/or savant abilities
are observed.
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Autism: Mirror Neuron Activity
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6. Williams syndrome
 Occurs when a region of genes on chromosome
7 fails to replicate and, therefore, is missing.
Caused by errors in cell division.
 Among the genes that are missing on
chromosome 7 is a gene that controls the
production of elastin, a protein that contributes to
elasticity in internal organs and tissues.
 Associated with abnormal brain development:
characteristic patterns of atypical cortical volume.
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William Syndrome: Cortical Volume
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 Accompanied by mental retardation, impaired
spatial cognition, hypersociability, abnormalities in
internal organs, and altered facial and body
features.
 Although individuals with Williams syndrome
display language deficits, their language skills are
remarkable given their relatively low IQ. Often,
great musical abilities are observed.
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William Syndrome: Physical Characteristics
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William Syndrome: Physical Characteristics
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders
1. What neurodevelopmental disorders have been
identified? (continued)
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