Neuroimaging the Developing Mind: From Typical Maturation to Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence

Neurodevelopmental neuroscience investigates how the brain structurally and functionally matures from childhood into adolescence, laying the groundwork for cognition, emotion, and social interaction. Rapid developmental transitions during these stages not only establish core neural networks but also represent windows of vulnerability for disorders such as autism, ADHD, and early-onset psychiatric conditions. While recent advances in neuroimaging have dramatically improved our understanding of typical brain maturation and its deviations, critical questions remain about the mechanisms underlying both healthy development and the onset of disorders. Integrating multi-modal imaging with genetic, environmental, and behavioral data is increasingly vital, yet significant gaps persist in translating such findings into clinical relevance.This Research Topic aims to synthesize state-of-the-art research that leverages advanced neuroimaging techniques - such as structural and functional MRI, DTI, MRS, EEG, and MEG—to explore the developing brain. The objective is to capture both normal maturation trajectories and neural deviations implicated in pediatric and adolescent disorders, with particular attention to identifying early biomarkers, elucidating causal mechanisms, and informing preventative or therapeutic strategies. We especially encourage submissions addressing the integration of multi-modal data, the impact of environment and genetics, and innovations overcoming methodological challenges in pediatric imaging.The scope encompasses research focused on brain development from early childhood through adolescence, both in neurotypical populations and those with neurodevelopmental, neurological, or psychiatric disorders. We invite articles that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:o Patterns and mechanisms of normative brain maturation in youth, including youth from populations underrepresented in prior researcho Neuroimaging investigations of pediatric disorders (both congenital and acquired) and their neural underpinningso Development and validation of imaging biomarkers for early diagnosis and interventiono Influence of genetic, environmental, and social factors on brain developmento Methodological advances tailored to pediatric and adolescent neuroimaging Topic editors: Fei Fan, Adam Schmidt Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76775/neuroimaging-the-developing-mind-from-typical-maturation-to-disorders-in-childhood-and-adolescence