Pediatric psychopharmacology can only be properly understood within the context of developmental neurobiology. Normal maturation of the brain is characterized by the complex anatomic, molecular, and organizational changes required for optimal adaptive functioning. In many areas of the developing nervous system, neurons, cell processes, neurotransmitters, and trophic nerve growth factors are produced in far greater numbers and in different areas than in the mature brain. Psychopathology and stressful environments can lead to enduring changes in brain structure and functioning. A few select psychopharmacological treatments are reviewed to assess their potential impact on CNS development. More clinical and basic science studies are needed to determine whether current treatments have neurotoxic or neuroprotective effects when administered over extended critical early periods of the lifespan.
La psychopharmacologie pédiatrique ne peut être bien comprise que dans le contexte de la neurobiologie du développement. La maturation normale du cerveau est caractérisée par les changements anatomiques, moléculaires et organisationnels complexes nécessaires à l'apprentissage fonctionnel optimal. Dans de nombreuses zones du système nerveux en développement, les neurones, les transformations des cellules, les neurotransmetteurs et les facteurs de croissance du nerf trophique sont produits en bien plus grand nombre que dans le cerveau parvenu à maturité, et dans des secteurs différents. La psychopathologie et les milieux stressants peuvent entraîner des changements permanents de la structure et du fonctionnement du cerveau. Quelques traitements psychopharmacologiques choisis sont examinés pour en évaluer l'effet potentiel sur le développement du système nerveux central. D'autres études cliniques et scientifiques fondamentales sont nécessaires pour déterminer si les traitements actuels ont des effets neurotoxiques ou neuroprotecteurs, lorsqu'on les administre sur une période prolongée durant les premières phases critiques de la durée de vie.
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