Brain Development and Connectome

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture on brain development and the connectome.

Connectome

The complete map of neural connections in the brain—the network of all possible connections among neurons.

Neural tube

The early hollow structure that forms the brain and spinal cord; its central cavity becomes the ventricles and CSF circulates through it.

Blastocyst

Early embryo stage; the ball-shaped structure where nervous system development begins within the blastocyst wall.

Proliferation

Rapid cell division that generates many neurons in the ventricular zone near the neural tube’s center.

Migration

Movement of developing neurons from the ventricular zone to their destined locations in the cortex, guided by scaffolding such as radial glia.

Radial glia

Glial cells that serve as scaffolds guiding migrating neurons to their proper cortical destinations.

Telencephalon

Forebrain region that develops into structures including the cerebral cortex.

Cerebral cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in higher functions; derived from the telencephalon during development.

Diencephalon

Forebrain region that becomes the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Spina bifida

A neural tube defect where the tube fails to close properly along the spine, causing possible disability.

Folic acid

A micronutrient essential for preventing neural tube defects; commonly taken in prenatal vitamins.

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Developmental disorder from heavy prenatal alcohol exposure, characterized by distinct facial features, smaller head size, and cognitive impairments.

Proliferative zone (ventricular zone)

The cell layer next to the ventricles where neurons are actively produced.

Inside-out cortical layering

Pattern of cortical development in which later-born neurons occupy outer layers, while earlier-born neurons stay in inner layers.

Growth cone

The dynamic tip of a growing axon that senses guidance cues to find its synaptic targets.

Axon

Long projection of a neuron that transmits electrical impulses to other neurons or muscles.

Dendrite

Branching extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Synaptogenesis

Formation of synapses between neurons, increasing network connectivity after birth and during learning.

Myelination

Development of the myelin sheath around axons, increasing transmission speed of nerve signals.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that eliminates neurons or cells that fail to form proper connections.

Stem cells

Early, highly plastic cells capable of becoming various tissue types, including neurons, with potential for repair therapies.

Embryonic stem cells

Pluripotent stem cells from early embryos that can differentiate into many cell types, used in research and potential therapies.

Dopaminergic neurons

Neurons that produce dopamine; loss of these neurons occurs in Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease stem cell therapy

Research approach to replace lost dopaminergic neurons by differentiating embryonic or induced stem cells into dopamine-producing neurons.

Ventricles

Fluid-filled cavities inside the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid.

Synapse

The junction where the axon terminal of one neuron communicates with a target neuron.

Prenatal vitamins

Vitamins taken before and during pregnancy, commonly containing folic acid to reduce birth defects.

White matter / Grey matter development

Progressive increase in myelination (white matter) and changes in neuron density (grey matter) with development, especially through adolescence.

Guidance cues

Molecular signals that direct axon growth and synapse formation during development.