From emotional and cognitive regulation to self-regulation development in the first year of life

Self-regulation is one of the most important processes during infant development. The aim of this paper is to present an up-date review of the processes that integrate emotional and cognitive regulation to anlagen of self-regulation in the first year of life, its neuroanatomic basis, and its relationship with possible behavioral outcomes. Self-regulation involves intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms whose antecedents begin during gestation and in birth are revealed as autonomic inhibition that accompanies sensorial-motor maturation which in turn favors attention. Later on, inhibition with cognitive features that allows the infant to establish adaptive strategies and strengthen its emotional and cognitive regulation will appear. All of the aforementioned mechanisms promote inhibition that comprises the first and incipient manifestations of executive functions and effortful control, processes that are of primary importance for the development of self-regulation. The anatomical structures involved in self-regulation development are the brain stem, limbic system, and prefrontal cortex. Research leading to the establishment of biomarkers that allow precocious identification of alterations in the aforementioned systems from the neonatal stage on is lacking. Self-regulation anlagen during the first year of life could be an early marker of future behavioral and cognitive alterations. Nevertheless self-regulation should not be considered the only causal factor. Knowledge of the development of self-regulation could contribute to establish the foundations for preventive and intervention programs at an early age.