Brain to Mind to Mindfulness: A Clinician's Guide to Neural Development
Presenting Author(s): Dr. David Lovas, MD, FRCPC
Date and time: 23 Mar 2018 from 14:00 to 15:00
Location: Hawthorn A
Abstract:
Many, if not most, psychiatric conditions have their roots in childhood and adolescence, and are becoming increasingly recognized as neurodevelopmental disorders. Therefore, an understanding of the processes of neural development throughout the lifespan is important for all psychiatrists. Neural development is always an interaction between biologic and environmental factors, and the latter are particularly important in postnatal development, as qualities of mind develop during sensitive periods requiring social stimuli. In this talk, I will explore how development can be disrupted or supported at various phases, and how protective meta-cognitive and self-regulatory capacities like mindfulness can emerge. I will also discuss useful principles of neural development that will contribute to our understanding of patients and their challenges at various life stages.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
- Provide a definition of mindfulness
- Describe the main pattern and processes of post-natal neural development
- Describe how neglect during infancy effects the capacity for self regulation later in life
- Describe the default mode network, how its activity varies across the lifespan, and how it is modified by mindfulness