Abstract

The last two decades has witnessed important changes in the study of mental retardation. Particularly, significant advances were registered in molecular biology and behavioural genetics, developmental neurobiology and cognitive sciences, neuroimaging technology and developmental psychology. Significant progress in each of these disciplines have radically changed conceptual framework and research methodologies that have determined dramatic advances in our understanding of the genetic causes and neuropathological features in a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders. In this paper the most relevant theoretical and clinical aspects concerning the relationship between genetic syndromes and neurocognitive disorders will be presented and discussed.