Neural Markers of Sensory Processing in Development

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Background

Sensory processing dynamics have emerged as important contributors to both typical cognitive and social development. Sensory processing abnormalities are common in neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly in autism spectrum disorders and related genetic disorders. However, subtle sensory processing changes may mediate atypical developmental trajectories even in neurodevelopmental disorders where sensory symptoms are not at the forefront. Sensory-related behaviors may be influenced by many factors, therefore it is important to derive both direct and indirect markers of neural correlates for sensory processing dynamics. Neural markers for sensory processes can be highly translational across species and aid in a better understanding of how these systems develop over the lifetime, how they decline, and how they may be disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders. Much work has been done in this area describing typical development in humans and animal models for visual and auditory modalities, however, gaps remain in understanding how these measures correspond across species over various developmental periods. Significant gaps also persist in describing the development of these measures in sensory modalities beyond vision and audition.

In defining a translational neural measure, it is important to consider species differences in sensory utilization, developmental trajectories, and how best to match critical periods of development. The goal of this Research Topic is to explore development of sensory systems across the lifespan in both typical and disordered development from a translational perspective, with an emphasis on how methods for measuring sensory brain activity and sensory behaviors can lead to novel therapeutics for neurodevelopmental disorders. Recent advances in developing more precise animal models across multiple species (e.g. mouse, rat, drosophila, zebrafish) for neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as advances in neural data analytics lay the groundwork for improved cross-species translation of neural and behavioral data. New methodology for collecting better quality brain activity data in infants and children (e.g. advances in EEG, fNIRS, MEG, fMRI technology and analytics) also enable more detailed description of early developmental processes related to sensory systems.

We welcome contributions based around, but not limited to, the following Themes: sensory biomarkers in human developmental neuroscience data, cross-species sensory systems comparisons, use of sensory data in clinical evaluation of development, novel methodology for data collection and analysis in developmental populations, and animal models of sensory development. Studies focusing on typical developmental trajectories as well as specific neurodevelopmental disorders are welcome. Studies may be submitted as original articles, review articles, brief research reports, or data reports.

Keywords: Sensation, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Typical Development, Translational, Critical Periods

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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