Neurodevelopment

Neurodevelopment

The growth, differentiation, and organisation of the nervous system from conception to adulthood.

Neural Tube

A structure that forms early in development and later becomes the brain and spinal cord.

Gastrulation

The formation of three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) that give rise to different body systems.

Neurulation

The process in which the neural plate folds to form the neural tube.

Spina Bifida

A condition where the spinal cord does not close properly, leading to paralysis and limb deformities.

Anencephaly

A severe neural tube defect where the brain fails to develop properly, usually resulting in stillbirth.

Experience-Expectant Plasticity

Brain development that depends on expected experiences (e.g., light exposure for vision).

Experience-Dependent Plasticity

Brain changes based on unique individual experiences (e.g., learning an instrument).

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder linked to excess synapses due to reduced synaptic pruning.

Schizophrenia

A disorder associated with abnormal synaptic pruning, dopamine dysfunction, and genetic factors.

ADHD

A disorder involving delayed prefrontal cortex maturation and dopamine regulation differences.

Prefrontal Cortex

The brain region responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and attention, maturing fully by ~25 years old.

Neurogenesis

The process of forming new neurons from stem cells, primarily occurring in the ventricular zone during early brain development.

Gliogenesis

The generation of glial cells from progenitor cells to support and protect neurons.

Progenitor Cell

A cell derived from a stem cell that can become either a neuron (neuroblast) or a glial cell (glioblast).

Radial Glia

Specialized glial cells that guide the migration of neurons to their correct positions in the developing brain.

Ventricular Zone

The inner region of the neural tube where cell division occurs and where most neurons originate.

Cell Migration

The movement of immature neurons from their birthplaces to their final positions in the brain.

Inside-Out Cortical Development

A pattern of brain development where newer neurons migrate past older ones to form outer layers of the cortex.

Dendritic Arborization

The branching and growth of dendrites, which increases the surface area for synaptic connections.

Growth Cone

The expanding tip of a growing axon that navigates toward synaptic targets using environmental cues.

Filopodia

Thin projections from a growth cone that sense the environment and guide axon growth.

Synaptogenesis

The process by which neurons form synapses with other neurons, enabling communication.

Synaptic Pruning

The elimination of weak or unused synaptic connections based on neural activity and experience.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death, a normal part of development that removes excess or unused neurons.

Neurotrophins

A family of proteins that promote neuron survival, growth, and differentiation (e.g., BDNF, NGF).

Myelination

The process of insulating axons with a fatty sheath (myelin) to speed up electrical transmission.

Critical Period

A limited time window in development during which the brain is especially sensitive to certain environmental stimuli.

Neuroplasticity

The brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections throughout life.

Collateral Sprouting

The growth of new axon branches from surviving neurons to form connections in response to injury.

Rostral Migratory Stream

A pathway in the adult brain where new neurons travel from the subventricular zone to the olfactory bulb.

Blakemore & Cooper (1970)

Study showing that kittens raised without exposure to certain visual stimuli developed impairments, highlighting critical periods and experience-dependent plasticity.

Genie Case

A real-life example of extreme language and social deprivation; Genie was isolated until age 13 and never fully developed language, supporting the idea of critical periods.

Maternal Adversity

Negative conditions during pregnancy (e.g., infection, malnutrition, substance use) that can impair fetal brain development.

Childhood Adversity

Stressful life events (e.g., abuse, neglect, poverty) that can alter brain development and increase the risk of mental health problems.

Induction

The process by which developing cells influence the fate of nearby cells through chemical signaling during differentiation.

Neural Darwinism

A theory proposing that the brain’s synaptic connections undergo a selection process, where only active and useful connections survive.