Neuromodulation of behavioral and cognitive development across the life span.

Among other mechanisms, behavioral and cognitive development entail, on the one hand, contextual scaffolding and, on the other hand, neuromodulation of adaptive neurocognitive representations across the life span. Key brain networks underlying cognition, emotion, and motivation are innervated by major transmitter systems (e.g., the catecholamines and acetylcholine). Thus, the maturation and senescence of neurotransmitter systems have direct implications for life span development. Recent progress in molecular genetics has opened new avenues for investigating neuromodulation of behavioral and cognitive development. This special section features 6 selected reviews of recent cognitive genetic evidence on the roles of dopamine and other transmitters in different domains of behavioral and cognitive development, ranging from temperament, executive control, and working memory to motivation and goal-directed behavior in different life periods.