国立研究開発法人 国立精神・神経医療研究センター精神保健研究所 知的・発達障害研究部

Department of Developmental Disorders was established in October 1960 as the 8th department of National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). In 1960, NIMH became one of the four members (two hospitals and two research institutes) of the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP). NCNP is the third national center of Japan and is responsible for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases, psychiatric diseases, developmental disorders, neuromuscular diseases and mental health as the leading facility in Japan and also in the world.

 

In our department, main research targets are mental retardation, autistic disorders, dyslexia /learning disabilities, attention deficit / hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and diseases affecting the development in the developing brain. Research fields of our investigators are as many as pediatrics, child neurology, child psychiatry, neurophysiology, neuropsychology, psychology, rehabilitation and social welfare.

 

The target of the Department of Developmental Disorders is to investigate etiology, diagnosis, treatment/care and prevention of mental retardation, autistic disorder, learning disorder and neurological diseases affecting cognitive function in the developing brain. Clinical and basic researches are conducted independently but in harmony with each other.

 

Studies on higher cortical function in children with developmental disorders and development of rehabilitation program on learning disorders are proceeding. Neurobehavioral function studies in mutant model animals are also conducted with success.

 

Other research activities include cognitive function in childhood adrenoleukodystrophy, adult Down syndrome and patients with focal brain dysfunction caused by cerebrovascular accidents or traumatic brain injuries. Research on problems to be solved for social participation in persons with mental retardation also is carried out.

 

Our department has 'Division of Diagnostic Research' and 'Division of Therapeutic Research'. In the former division, basic and clinical researches are conducted through neurophysiological and neuropsychological methods. In the latter division, clinical and walfare studies were conducted through cognitive psychological and rihabilitation approaches. For more information, please visit the corresponding page.

 

Our major recent researches are as follows. For more information, please visit linking sites
(http://www.ncnp.go.jp/nimh/chiteki/ronbun.html).

 

1. Studyies on developmental dysfunction of higher cortical function
2. Research on learning disabilities (LD)
3. Studies on Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)
4. Neuropsychological and neurophysiological studies in children with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
5. Studies on social participation of persons with developmental disorders
6. Clinical studies of diagnosis and medical and educational treatment of the children with developmental disorders
7. Pathophysiological, behavioral and neurobiochemical studies of hyperactive model mice