Neurocognitive Development

Neurocognitive development refers to the growth of brain-related functions secondary to the development of brain structures that facilitate this growth. The structural growth starts at conception and is increasingly rapid such that by age 5 years, the child has developed foundational functions/capabilities that are crucial for development of other cognitive functions, and at age 6 years, the child has developed 90% of adult brain structures. Basic cognitive functions such as motor and sensory skills mature first; complex cognitive functions, such as working memory, mature later. The front part of the brain structures that host executive functions (those associated with behavior and cognitive control) mature last. These cognitive functions can be adversely affected in a variety of ways, ranging from mild cognitive impairment of general intellectual ...