Lecture 2.1: Development of the Nervous System

Question 1

Neurones, some types of glial cells, and ependymal cells that line the central canal of the spinal cord and the ventricles of the brain, are produced by…?

Answer 1

Proliferation in the layer of neuroepithelial cells that immediately surrounds the neural canal

Question 2

As neurones form, the neural tube becomes stratified into what 3 layers?

Answer 2

• Ventricular Layer (adjacent to the neural
  canal)
• Mantle Layer
• Marginal Layer

Question 3

What does the Mantle Layer go on to form?

Answer 3

Containing neuronal cell bodies that will develop into grey matter

Question 4

What does the Marginal Layer go on to form?

Answer 4

Containing nerve fibres that will give rise to the white matter

Question 5

What do Glioblast cells differentiate into? (2)

Answer 5

Glia of the CNS: astrocytes and oligodendrocytes

Question 6

In Week 3-4 of development there is a 3-part brain, name the parts.

Answer 6

• Prosencephalon (forebrain)
• Mesencephalon (midbrain)
• Rhombencephalon(hindbrain)

Question 7

In Week 5 of development there is a 5-part brain, name the parts.

Answer 7

• Telencephalon
• Diencephalon
• Mesencephalon
• Metencephalon
• Myelencephalon

Question 8

What is Cerebral Palsy (CP)?

Answer 8

CP is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture

Question 9

Signs and Symptoms of CP?: Movement and Coordination (9)

Answer 9

• Stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes
  (spasticity)
• Variations in muscle tone, such as being
  either too stiff or too floppy
• Stiff muscles with normal reflexes (rigidity)
• Lack of balance and muscle coordination
  (ataxia)
• Tremors or jerky involuntary movements
• Slow, writhing movements
• Favouring one side of the body
• Difficulty walking, such as walking on toes,
  a crouched gait, a scissors-like gait with
  knees crossing, a widegait or asymmetrical
  gait
• Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as
  buttoning clothes or picking up utensils

Question 10

Signs and Symptoms of CP?: Speech and Eating (4)

Answer 10

• Delays in speech development
• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty with sucking, chewing or eating
• Excessive drooling or problems with
  swallowing

Question 11

Signs and Symptoms of CP?: Development (4)

Answer 11

• Delays in reaching motor skills milestones,
  such as sitting up or crawling
• Learning difficulties
• Intellectual disabilities
• Delayed growth, resulting in smaller size
  than would be expected

Question 12

Signs and Symptoms of CP?: Other associated complications (6)

Answer 12

• Seizures (epilepsy)
• Difficulty hearing
• Problems with vision and abnormal eye
  movements
• Abnormal touch or pain sensations
• Bladder and bowel problems, including
  constipation and urinary incontinence
• Mental health conditions, such as
  emotional disorders and behavioural
  problems