L16 - Neurodevelopment

Question 1

What are the main phases of prenatal development?

Answer 1

Zygote (fertilised egg)

Embryo (week 8 till birth)

Fetus (remaining prenatal development)

Question 2

What is the aim of neurodevelopment?

Answer 2

To form a functional nervous system through precise cellular processes

E.g., cell migration, differentiation and synaptogenesis

Question 3

What happens during fertilisation?

Answer 3

Sperm enters the egg forming a zygote with 46 chromosomes that rapidly divides and develops

Question 4

What are the 3 cell layers formed after one week of development?

Answer 4

Ectoderm (develops in nervous system)

Mesoderm

Endoderm

Question 5

what is the neural tube?

Answer 5

A structure formed by the ectoderm that eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord

Question 6

What are the 6 stages of nervous system development?

Answer 6

Neurogenesis

Cell migration

Differentiation

Synaptogenesis

Neuronal cell death

Synapse rearrangement

Question 7

What is neurogenesis?

Answer 7

The mitotic division of non-neuronal cells to produce neurons

Question 8

What’s cell migration?

Answer 8

They guide neurons to their final destinations by acting as scaffolding.

Question 9

What’s differentiation?

Answer 9

The process where cells acquire their specific functions and structures as neurons.

Question 10

What’s synaptogenesis?

Answer 10

Formation of synaptic connections through the growth of axons and dendrites

Question 11

What’s neuronal cell death?

Answer 11

A natural process where excess neurons die to refine neural circuits.

Question 12

What’s synapse rearrangement?

Answer 12

The process where some synapses are strengthened while others are eliminated to optimise neural connections.

Question 13

What role do radial glial cells play in cell migration?

Answer 13

They guide neurons to their final destinations by acting as scaffolding

Question 14

How does neuronal connections from circuits?

Answer 14

Repeated use strengthens connections, while unused connections are pruned.

Question 15

What’s synaptic pruning?

Answer 15

The elimination of unused synaptic connections to enhance efficiency

Question 16

What role do early experiences play in brain architecture?

Answer 16

They shape neural circuits by reinforcing frequently used pathways

Question 17

What’s myelination?

Answer 17

The process where glial cells wrap axons in myelin, speeding up signal transmission

Question 18

When is myelination most active?

Answer 18

During the first few years of life, continuing into adulthood

Question 19

How does myelination affect cognitive development?

Answer 19

It correlated with improves processing speed and the maturation of complex brain functions

Question 20

What is a common pathology of myelin?

Answer 20

Multiple sclerosis, where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath

Question 21

How does the infant brain differ from the adult brain?

Answer 21

The infant brain has fewer established connections and is less myelinated, making it more plastic but less efficient

Question 22

Why os the infant brain more plastic than the adult brain?

Answer 22

It’s rapidly forming and recognising connections in response to environmental stimuli

Question 23

How are cognitive, social and emotional development interconnected?

Answer 23

They rely on shared neural circuits that form critical developmental periods

Question 24

What is the importance of early neural circuits?

Answer 24

Simple circuits provide the foundation for more complex abilities like memory, language, and motor skills.

Question 25

What is the role of genes in neurodevelopment?

Answer 25

Genes provide the blueprint, but environmental experiences act as the “software” driving development.

Question 26

Why is early intervention critical in neurodevelopmental disorders?

Answer 26

Early experiences have long-lasting effects on brain architecture, making timely interventions crucial.