Answer to Question 1
The long-term consequences of impaired brain development due to neglect can affect mental health, behavior, cognition, memory, and language development. This can result in a child with attachment issues, developmental delays, cognitive difficulties, and mental health and emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, and aggression.
Answer to Question 2
The processes of the executive functions can be altered by a greater volume of gray matter in the brain that can develop due to neglect. White matter growth of the brain takes place over childhood, whereas gray matter growth seems to occur in sensitive periods that are still unknown.
It is the neurodevelopment of the brain in these sensitive periods that is at greatest risk for disruption. Executive functions are found in the prefrontal cortex where the gray matter growth may be decreased. The executive functions of the brain allow us to have working memory,
control our inhibitions, and have flexibility in our thinking process, and these develop in response to our environment and interactions with others. When these functions are compromised by neglect, a host of life-long problems can occur.
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