The BNRC is a part of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stanford University and is supported and funded by the research program of Allan Reiss, MD. This research continues to contribute to our knowledge of the cognitive and behavioral characteristics and developmental outcomes of children and adolescents with neurobehavioral disorders of genetic origins. Current studies focus on:

• Fragile X Syndrome
• Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome (VCFS)
• Williams Syndrome
• Turners Syndrome

The BNRC is currently undertaking a large national study of the factors that influence the developmental outcomes of individuals with fragile X syndrome. This study employs behavioral, cognitive, and biological assessment methods to address questions concerning the influence of biological and environmental factors in the outcomes of individuals with fragile X syndrome.

Another BNRC study explores the neurological, cognitive, and behavioral development of young children—the Early Childhood Brain Development Research. This is the first study of its kind to investigate the mysteries of early childhood development using state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques in combination with a detailed cognitive and behavioral assessment.

The BNRC also collaborates with the Stanford Psychiatry Neuroimaging Lab (SPNL) to investigate the neurological development of children and adolescents with neurogenetic disorders. This collaboration allows us to identify the anatomical and functional differences that underlie the behavioral symptoms and cognitive deficits caused by each genetic syndrome. In turn, this will allow us to develop biological and behavioral interventions targeted to benefit select brain regions that may be uniquely affected by each disorder.

The behavioral research conducted at the BNRC incorporates many methods and tools for the assessment of individual's cognitive and behavioral functioning. For more information see Cognitive, Behavioral, and Neurogenetic Assessment. We also highly prioritize the innovation of new cognitive and behavioral assessment tools. One such tool is the SCORS or Special Curriculum Opportunity Rating Scale. This tool is designed to document the special educational and therapeutic services a child with special needs receives and to measure the adequacy of those services in meeting his or her current developmental needs. We are currently collecting validity and reliability on this measure.

We need your help!

The research at the BNRC is completely dependent upon the generous participation of volunteer subjects.

• Fragile X
• Early Life Stress Research Program (PTSD)
• Asperger's Syndrome
• Autism
• Attention Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Williams Syndrome
• Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome (VCFS)
• Turner Syndrome
• Bipolar Disorder (BD)
• Sex Chromosomal Abnormalities (SCA)
• Typically Developing Subjects