Development of Neural System (embryology)

Question 1

Three important aspects of post-natal brain development

Answer 1

Post-natal nutrition,
experiential learning
stimulation

Question 2

Begins 3rd week post conception

Answer 2

human brain development

Question 3

Intrauterine environment

Answer 3

Maternal health
Insults in pregnancy (eg alcohol, cytomegalovirus)
Placental function and foetal nutrition

Question 4

Extrauterine environment

Answer 4

Physical factors (nutrition + environmental toxins)
Emotional and social factors (neglect + lack of stimulation)
Exposure to drugs, alcohol and other substances

Question 5

Embryonic period

Answer 5

conception to week 9

Question 6

Fetal development

Answer 6

week 9 - 40

Question 7

ectoderm

Answer 7

skin, nails, hair and neural tissue

Question 8

Neural tube

Answer 8

first well defined neural structure (occurs at day 20-27)

Question 9

how is the neural tube formed

Answer 9

neural progenitor cells form the neural plate > neural groove > neural tube formation

Question 10

what do the neural pregenitors do?

Answer 10

line the inside of the neural tube (the ventricular zone) Hollow centre becomes ventricular system and central channel of the spinal chord

Question 11

Early experience of post-natal brain leads to

Answer 11

emergence of normal neocortical patterns

Question 12

Brain is almost fully grown shortly after birth BUT

Answer 12

maturation of gray matter is ongoing (synaptic pruning and is exeperientially determined)

Question 13

Clinical problems in brain development

Answer 13

Faulty genes
Intrauterine Insults
Extrauterine Insults
Timing

Question 14

Failure of brain vesicles to form

Answer 14

Holoprosencephaly

Question 15

Disorders of Myelination

Answer 15

Hypomyelination
Dysmyelination
Demyelination

Question 16

Malnutrition effects:

Answer 16

Reduces brain growth and volume
Imact on myelination
lack of energy and deprivation