Brain Mechanisms of Sensory Processing Disorder

Dear Colleagues,

Nearly 50 years ago, drawing from the mid-century understanding of neural systems and theories of learning, Dr. A. Jean Ayres proposed that the brain processes sensory information across modalities “in order to formulate and execute an appropriate and survival-serving action”. She recognized the brain’s plasticity and proposed that the brain self organized through successful interactions with the environment which enhanced neural processing mechanisms. She hypothesized that disruptions in sensory integrative functions presented as observable syndromes, now referred to broadly as sensory processing disorder, which could interfere with perception, learning, self-regulation of arousal, emotion, and behavior, and motor planning and coordination. She suggested that the core concern was a “malfunction of the brain’s self-organizing mechanism”. Sensory processing disorder continues to present challenges for individuals—and their families—who struggle with its effects, practitioners who need to assess its symptoms and provide effective intervention strategies, and scientists who seek insight into its underlying factors. The findings of neuroscientists and clinical researchers who study brain development, experience-dependent plasticity, sensory processing, multimodal integration, and neural networking may be useful in advancing models and theories of sensory processing disorder. With insight into alternations in neural processing that may present as sensory processing disorder, reliable biomarkers may be developed for diagnosis and outcome measurements. Greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms and improved methods for detecting sensory processing disorder will propel development and testing of intervention options.

In this Special Issue, we are seeking submissions regarding the neural mechanisms of sensory processing disorders. We would welcome both primary research articles from basic and clinical sciences as well as review/perspective articles that systematically assess contemporary findings in light of Dr. A. Jean Ayres original formulation of Sensory Integration Theory as laid forth in her 1972 text Sensory Integration and Learning Disorders (Western Psychological Services, ISBN 0-87424-3303-3).

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Sensory Gating
• Sensory Integration
• Sensory Responsivity
• Sensory Regulation
• Sensory Modulation
• Motor Planning
• Developmental Coordination
• Postural Control
• Ocular Control
• Bilateral Coordination
• Experience Dependent Plasticity
• Neural Networks
• Sensory Inhibition