Developmental Neuroscience - Genesis and Migration

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the lecture on developmental neuroscience, specifically focusing on the genesis and migration of neurons and glia.

Neural Tube

The neural tube is a structure formed in the early development of vertebrates that gives rise to the central nervous system.

Neurogenesis

The process by which new neurons are formed in the brain.

Interkinetic Nuclear Migration

A constant nuclear movement in developing neural cells, occurring as they progress through the cell cycle.

Clonal Analysis

A technique that tracks the progeny of a single progenitor cell, often using retroviruses to label cells.

Mitogens

Substances that stimulate cell division, such as EGF and FGF, by promoting cell cycle progression.

Cyclin-dependent Kinase Inhibitors (CdkIs)

Proteins like p27kip and p21 that regulate the cell cycle and promote differentiation of progenitors into neurons or glia.

Radial Glial Cells

A type of neural progenitor cell that gives rise to neurons and astrocytes during development.

Notch Signaling Pathway

A pathway that regulates cell fate decisions during development, maintaining progenitor states and preventing premature differentiation.

Reelin

A protein that plays a crucial role in neuronal migration in the developing cerebral cortex.

Shh (Sonic Hedgehog)

A signaling molecule involved in the proliferation and differentiation of granule cell progenitors in the cerebellum.

Cerebellar Cortex

The part of the brain that processes information related to movement and coordination, and has a highly ordered cell arrangement.

Epidermis vs Glial

Describes the differentiation outcomes of neural progenitors influenced by signaling pathways such as Notch.

Proneural Genes

Genes that promote the development of neuronal traits in progenitor cells, inhibiting glial fate.

Arealization

The process by which specific brain areas develop unique characteristics and functions through regional neuronal differentiation and migration.