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The Oxford Handbook of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience brings together the leading developmental cognitive neuroscientists in the field that work on understanding human development, and the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and brain maturational factors that shape social and cognitive functioning in development. It includes chapters on new, emerging research areas that show promise for understanding both brain and behaviour in development, such as nutrition and the microbiome gut-brain axis and sleep. Looking beyond early developmental changes, this handbook also places importance on the period of adolescence, which is an important developmental juncture.
By assuming complexity from the outset, the developmental cognitive neuroscience research approach provides much needed insights into both the initial set-up of brain networks and cognitive mechanisms, and also into adaptability across the developmental trajectory. This is important not only for scientists studying typical and atypical development, but also for interventional work looking for critical or sensitive periods where interventions would be most effective. The developmental cognitive neuroscience research approach intersects nature and nurture and considers both health and disease models. It also focuses on understanding the complexity of human development, necessitating a multi-level and multi-factor research approach to grasp change and plasticity which, by definition, is multidisciplinary.
The Oxford Handbook of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience is a landmark volume, providing the reader with a comprehensive and state-of-the-art overview of current research in the field, whilst highlighting current gaps and directions for future research.
