The Developmental Brain Disorders [DBD] Study Section addresses disorders that impact specifically the developing brain and spinal cord. This includes genetic, metabolic, infectious, environmental, and behavioral influences on the fetal, neonatal or pediatric brain that lead to abnormal brain development and function. The Study Section has clinical and basic expertise in the vulnerability and plasticity of the developing brain, and can review patient-oriented research in children and relevant animal models.

Specific areas covered by DBD:

• Brain development in utero. Transplacental exposure to maternal drugs, and metabolic imbalances.
• Perinatal insults and low-birth-weight infants. Developmental aspects of perinatal injury, hypoxic/ischemia, pediatric epilepsy, congenital infections involving the CNS [excluding HIV].
• Genetic, metabolic and morphological abnormalities. Developmental abnormalities of brain structure, volume, and ventricular space; congenital CSF abnormalities [hydrocephalus]; developmental aspects of inborn errors of metabolism, storage diseases, and neurotransmitter/receptor function; genetic basis of metabolic and morphological abnormalities
• Developmental disorders. Mental retardation, learning disabilities, specific language impairment, dyslexia, autism, cerebral palsy, sudden infant death syndrome [SIDS], and other relevant disorders.
• Therapeutic interventions and brain plasticity. Medical, surgical, pharmacological, and behavioral interventions; plasticity and rehabilitation in the developing brain; clinical studies in children.
• Genetics and animal models. Identification and characterization of genetic mechanisms and development of animal models and therapeutic strategies specifically relevant to disorders of the developing brain. 

DBD has the following shared interests within the BDCN IRG:

• With Other BDCN Study Sections: DBD has shared interests with most of the other BDCN study sections. Studies involving unique aspects of the developing brain may be reviewed in DBD. However, studies on neural disorders and injuries in the mature brain or mechanisms and approaches that are common to the developing and mature brain [even if they involve children] may be reviewed in the appropriate BDCN Study Section. Among the cognitive and behavioral disorders, studies of mental retardation, autism, may be reviewed in DBD.  

DBD has the following shared interests outside the BDCN IRG:

• With the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRG: Studies of developmental disabilities that are primarily behavioral in emphasis could be reviewed in the BBBP IRG. These include studies, predominantly of humans, of low birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation, mental retardation, learning disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy and neuromotor disorders, and prenatal exposure to toxins, alcohol, and substances of abuse. Studies focusing on the vulnerability and plasticity of the developing brain could be assigned to DBD.
• With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA] IRG:  Studies with a primary focus on development mechanisms involved in formation of organ primordial such as brain and spinal cord and mechanism-based analyses of primordial birth defects may be assigned to the BDA IRG.  Studies focusing on the vulnerability and plasticity of the developing brain may be assigned to DBD.
• With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG: Studies dealing with cerebral circulation and hemodynamics may be assigned to the CVS IRG, while those focusing on cerebral blood flow and the cellular and molecular consequences of ischemia, hypoxia, stroke on in the neonatal or pediatric brain or spinal cord may be assigned to DBD.
• With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: Studies on more general aspects of embryology, development, and transplacental interactions may be reviewed in the EMNR IRG, but studies that focus on disorders of the developing brain may be reviewed in DBD.
• With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG: The GGG IRG has shared interests with DBD with respect to an interest in hereditary aspects of diseases of the nervous system.  When the focus is primarily on molecular genetic approaches, large-scale gene/genomic/genetic studies, gene discovery using complex or novel technologies, the GGG IRG may be more appropriate.  When the focus of the application is on the vulnerability and plasticity of the developing brain, the application may be assigned to DBD.
• With the Health of the Population [HOP] IRG: Studies dealing with descriptive and analytical epidemiologic aspects of various pediatric neurologic disorders may be reviewed within the HOP IRG, while studies that focus primarily on the vulnerability and plasticity of the developing brain may be assigned to DBD.
• With the Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG: In general, BDCN study sections review studies relating to diseases and pathological states, while the IFCN IRG reviews basic and systems approaches to the study of brain function.  DBD has shared interests with the IFCN IRG with respect to the interaction of alcohol and the developing nervous system.  The IFCN IRG, which is focused particularly on alcohol and toxicant interactions with the central nervous system, may be more appropriate for the review of general studies of alcohol or toxicant teratogenesis and pathophysiology.  DBD may be considered if the primary focus is on the neural substrate and the vulnerability of the developing brain.
• With the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN] IRG: Studies on development and plasticity of the nervous system may be reviewed in the MDCN IRG, especially when the application has a more fundamental focus.  DBD may be more appropriate if the focus is on the vulnerability and plasticity of the developing brain, particularly where there are clinical implications. 
• With the Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS] IRG: DBD has shared interests with the MOSS IRG in the area of pediatric rehabilitation. MOSS has broad expertise in physical therapy, physiology, and non-neuronal systems, while DBD may be more appropriate for studies of plasticity and recovery involving unique aspects of the developing brain.