Development - brain development Flashcards
Pre-natal
By Day 16 (Week 2)…
…the embryo develops a neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord
Pre-natal
By Week 3…
…the embryo has a forebrain, mid-brain and hindbrain
Pre-natal
Between Weeks 6 & 20…
…brain cells are created
Pre-natal
After Week 20…
…brain cells ‘migrate’ to their correct locations and become neurones.
The neurones connect the brain to the nervous system around the body.
Pre-natal
After Week 32…
…rapid brain and head growth happens
Childhood
Immediately after birth…
…the brain develops many neural connections (about 1000 per second)
Childhood
By age 3…
…brain density has reached its peak
Childhood
By age 6…
…the brain is 90% of adult size
Childhood
During childhood…
…frontal lobes undergo a lot of development
Childhood
During childhood…
…synaptic pruning happens, where synapses are eliminated
Adolescence
During adolescence…
…brain remodelling happens extensively, with lots of synaptic pruning
Adolescence
The limbic system…
… is fully developed. This controls emotional decision-making.
Adolescence
The prefrontal cortex…
… is not developed, meaning adolescents struggle to make rational decision-making, and rely on the limbic system for decisions.
Adulthood
By age 25…
… the pre-frontal cortex is fully developed
Adulthood
Over time…
… the brain’s volume decreases, and the ventricles expand.
Nerve cells may pass messages more slowly than in the past.
Adulthood
Neurodegeneration…
… is when we have the death of neurones in the brain.
Waste products can collect in brain tissue and cells break down. This can lead to plaques and tangles in the brain.
Adults may develop neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimers and Parkinson’s disease.
