FUNDAMENTALS OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROLOGY

HEINZ F. R. PRECHTL, CHRISTA EINSPIELER

Research in developmental neurology has provided a number of important new paradigms on the functional development of the human nervous system. According to the Ontogenetic Adaptation Paradigm, the functional repertoire of the developing neural structure must meet the requirements of the developing individual's organism and its environment. This Paradigm and the evidence of the absence of an "immature" nervous system have introduced two concepts - the age-specific difference and the age-specific vulnerability of the developing nervous system. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a standardised and age-specific neurological examination and age-specific diagnostic procedures, and to apply age-specific therapeutic interventions. The most recent insights have also lead to the development of a new approach in the qualitative assessment of general movements.