Publisher's Synopsis
Most studies on childhood mental disorders have been conducted retrospectively. Prospective studies on the aetiology of childhood mental illness are a necessary opportunity to consider developmental contributions, but the literature using a developmental approach is sparse. Animal studies using a developmental framework for studies of brain and behaviour may be helpful in expanding our understanding of some childhood disorders. Considerable attention has been focused on understanding genomic sources of vulnerability to mental illness. However, the development of brain and behaviour is the essential link between genes, their products, and ultimately their functional expression. Diagnostic practice for children's mental health is limited by the absence of independent biological or behavioural criteria guiding clinical decisions. These papers are taken from a conference held in March 2003, the object of which was to build bridges between animal research and clinical approaches for studying mental health and disorders in children and adolescents.
