Abnormal postnatal brain growth

Possible interrelationships between brain pathology and abnormal postnatal brain growth include abnormalities in the normal elimination of neurons, of synapses, or of myelination fibers as well as prenatally determined pathology such as aberrant connectivity attendant to increased number of minicolumns, aberrant connectivity-associated cerebrocortical malformations, persistent fetal circuits, and abnormalities in growth factors such as neuropeptides. The possible role of neuronal elimination and structural and biochemical abnormalities in myelin has not been explored. 

The best evidence for abnormal fetal circuits is found in the cerebellum, as discussed in the section on cellular pathology. Because of its relatively small size, it is unlikely to contribute to the increased postnatal brain growth. 

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