REVIEW article
Front. Neurosci.
Sec. Neurodevelopment
This article is part of the Research TopicTranslating neurodiversity: From predictive mechanisms to embodied systemsView all articles
From Genes to Networks: Neurobiological Bases of Neurodiversity Across Common Developmental Disorders
Provisionally accepted
- NUS High School of Mathematics and Science, Singapore, Singapore
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Neurodiversity is a category for many NDDs, ranging from ASD to OCD. The Clinical Symptoms associated with NDDs may differ, but have many common features. Hence, there are many biological similarities between the various Neurodevelopmental Disorders. It has been assumed that one cause of these commonalities is due to shared Etiologies. This review provides information about Genes (Genetics), Proteins (Molecular), and Biology. Together, they provide evidence for common mechanisms (convergent) and Different mechanisms (divergent) across all Neurodevelopmental Disorders. These Types often share Polygenic Genes with Rare and Common Variants. The Shared Genes are commonly involved in the regulation of Synaptic Function, Chromatin Remodelling, and Immune Pathways. In addition, NDDs often have disrupted pathways associated with mTOR, Wnt/Beta-Catenin, and Immune Pathways. We also consider the Impact of Spatial and Temporal Gene Expression on NDD development across different stages (from Prenatal Development to Postnatal Development). We also discuss the impact of disruption during Prenatal and Postnatal Maturation of the Brain, including alterations in the processes of Neurogenesis, Synaptic Pruning, and Neural Circuit Integration. Based on these findings, we present a systems-based, multi-level approach to help understand the biological basis of neurodiversity, along with future research directions on Therapeutic Strategies across Diagnostic Groups, Developmentally Informed Interventions, and the Development of Inclusive Clinical and Societal Practices.
Keywords: Brain circuit maturation, Genetic architecture, Neurodevelopmental disorders, neuroplasticity, Synaptic signaling pathways
Received: 05 Dec 2025; Accepted: 31 Jan 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Ding. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Shiqi Ding
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