1 Psychology 304: Brain and Behaviour Lecture 23

The grades for the first midterm exam are now available on the course website. The mean score on the midterm exam was 67% (SD = 17%, range = 23% – 97%). 2 Announcement The TA, Patrick, will be available during his office hours or by appointment for interested students to review their exams: Mondays, 10:00-11:00, Kenny 3506,

3 Neurodevelopmental Disorders 1. What neurodevelopmental disorders have been identified? (continued)

4 By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 1. describe the causes and symptoms of disorders associated with neurodevelopmental abnormalities.

5 4. Fetal alcohol syndrome  Occurs when the fetus is exposed to alcohol, resulting in nervous system damage. Caused by neurotoxin exposure and nutrient deficiencies. What neurodevelopmental disorders have been identified? (continued)

6  Associated with abnormal brain development: smaller frontal lobes, poor production of cell- adhesion molecules, reduced gray matter, neural plasticity and head size, absence of corpus callosum.  Accompanied by mental retardation, altered facial features, stunted growth, and cognitive/behavioural deficits.

7 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Brain Damage

8 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Physical Characteristics

9

10  See YouTube video clip on fetal alcohol syndrome: (15 minutes).

11 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.

12  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.

13  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.

14 Autism: Mirror Neuron Activity

15 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.

16 William Syndrome: Cortical Volume

17  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.

18 William Syndrome: Physical Characteristics

19 William Syndrome: Physical Characteristics

20  See YouTube video clip on William’s syndrome: (5 minutes).

21 Neurodevelopmental Disorders 1. What neurodevelopmental disorders have been identified? (continued)