Abstract
Humans, as compared to other species, have particularly protracted brain maturation. This imparts ongoing plasticity allowing substantial and sustained influence of the environment to modify of the genetically outlined blueprint of brain development. The maturational trajectory is heterochronous (non-linear changes over time) and highly variable among individuals supporting the favorability of the longitudinal design of this proposal. The brain is organized as hierarchically modular network with earlier developing primary modules (a subset of highly inter-connected brain components) giving rise to secondary modules (interconnected primary modules) and then tertiary modules, and so on. Each step of the process may have an age-dependent developmental window (i.e. sensitive period) in which environmental influences have enhanced influence. To date, surprisingly little is known about the specific timing of sensitive periods for different modules and effects, for good or ill, of specific environmental influences. As most mental disorders are conceptualized as resulting from deviations from the path of typical development with different illness deviating at different times or in different ways, greater understanding of these specifics is the key to more effective preventive and/or intervention measures. It is also a key for the optimization of healthy development. Thus, the potential impact of this well-designed, creative, and novel integrative study is vast. The synergies of the robotics, neurophysiology, psychosocial, and developmental model components are brilliantly conceived. Although ambitious, the scope of brain science study is needed to address these fundamental questions about early influences of brain development in health and illness. Youth and their families throughout the world will benefit from the insights gained from this unique and superbly designed integrative study.
