Dear Colleagues,

Neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Intellectual Disabilities (ID), Learning Disabilities (LD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), are characterized by impairments in different areas of adaptive functioning skills as well as social communication, perceptuo-motor and cognitive–behavioral performance, which affect daily life from an early age. These impairments are related to underlying atypical brain microstructure and functioning in addition to genetic/epigenetic issues. Different areas of cognitive and motor performances aspects are involved, as well as executive functions, poor motor planning, working memory, inhibitory control, mental flexibility and motor incoordination, poor imitation, and poor static and dynamic balance.

Physical exercise is known to have beneficial effects on psychosocial well-being and cognitive performance. However, while there are some papers describing potential neural mechanisms of physical activity interventions in healthy populations, the effect of such interventions on neuronal circuits in individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Thus far, only a few studies using different neuroimaging and neurophysiological techniques found changes in neural activity related to physical activity intervention, including increased social brain connectivity and more efficient executive functioning processes in individuals with developmental disabilities. Therefore, a better understanding of the data, as well as further investigation of standardized neuroimaging and neurophysiological techniques—including electroencephalogram, as well as the use of motor functional and neuro-cognitive tools or the use of specific medical interventions—is important to further our understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms and the impact of exercise on neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Dr. Claudia Brogna
Guest Editor

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• Development
• Autism spectrum disorders
• ADHD
• Intellectual disabilities
• Dyspraxia
• Sport
• Physical exercise