The brain is very complex, and normal development involves the migration of cells and the formation of trillions of connections between brain cells. When any part of this process is disrupted, the result can be a neurodevelopmental disorder. These disorders can affect emotion, learning, self-control and memory and include autism, intellectual disability and epilepsy.

Both diagnosis and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders can be difficult. This is largely because little is known about the mechanisms underlying these conditions or ways of preventing and repairing neural damage. Our researchers are working to gain a deeper understanding of brain development at the foundational level as a means of improving diagnoses and treatment options for families, children and adults living with these disorders.