78

A collective expert study conducted by INSERM at the request of CANAM in 2001-02 provides exhaustive analysis of epidemiological, neurobiological and clinical data on the following disorders: autism, hyperactivity, compulsive obsessive disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to set up the terms of early identification or screening of warning signs able to assess rapid diagnosis and implementation of care and prevention adapted to each disorder. The recommendations of the study have been largely taken on board by the various associations of families of young patients.The study enhanced the following points: recent changes in the concepts defining mental disorders as abnormalities of developmental processes and brain plasticity; combined effects between genetic and environmental factors in the development of disorders; the benefits of new tools such as morphological and functional imaging to display abnormalities; and the need to understand the normal development of the brain and the interactions between the various area involved in cognitive and emotional functions. This large-scale interdisciplinary knowledge update with respect to the understanding of mental functions is required for future research.