Early Neural Development Process

Study Notes

Neural induction: process by which the neural plate is formed from the ectoderm layer
Neural plate: a thickened layer of ectodermal cells that will give rise to the nervous system
Neural groove: a furrow that forms in the neural plate, which will eventually close to form the neural tube

Neural tube closure: process by which the neural groove closes to form a tube
Neural tube defects: abnormalities that occur when the neural tube fails to close properly (e.g. spina bifida, anencephaly)
Neural crest cells: cells that migrate from the neural tube to form various tissues, including the peripheral nervous system, skin, and bone

Three primary brain vesicles: the prosencephalon (forebrain), mesencephalon (midbrain), and rhombencephalon (hindbrain)
Five secondary brain vesicles: the telencephalon (cerebrum), diencephalon (thalamic region), mesencephalon (midbrain), metencephalon (pons and cerebellum), and myelencephalon (medulla oblongata)
Neurogenesis: process by which neurons are generated from neural stem cells
Neuronal migration: process by which neurons move to their final positions in the brain

Neural tube: the spinal cord forms from the caudal part of the neural tube
Neuroepithelial cells: cells that give rise to the spinal cord
Dorsoventral patterning: process by which the spinal cord is patterned along the dorsoventral axis
Motor neurons: neurons that transmit signals from the spinal cord to muscles and glands
Sensory neurons: neurons that transmit signals from sensory receptors to the spinal cord

Signaling pathways: molecular pathways that regulate neural development, including the Notch, Wnt, and Shh pathways
Transcription factors: proteins that regulate gene expression during neural development, including Pax, Sox, and Nkx
Growth factors: proteins that regulate the growth and survival of neurons, including neurotrophins and fibroblast growth factors

Ectoderm layer gives rise to the neural plate through neural induction
Neural plate is a thickened layer of ectodermal cells that will form the nervous system
Neural groove forms in the neural plate, which will eventually close to form the neural tube

Neural tube closure occurs when the neural groove closes to form a tube
Failure of neural tube closure leads to neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly
Neural crest cells migrate from the neural tube to form the peripheral nervous system, skin, and bone

Three primary brain vesicles: prosencephalon (forebrain), mesencephalon (midbrain), and rhombencephalon (hindbrain)
Five secondary brain vesicles: telencephalon (cerebrum), diencephalon (thalamic region), mesencephalon (midbrain), metencephalon (pons and cerebellum), and myelencephalon (medulla oblongata)
Neurogenesis is the process by which neurons are generated from neural stem cells
Neuronal migration is the process by which neurons move to their final positions in the brain

Spinal cord forms from the caudal part of the neural tube
Neuroepithelial cells give rise to the spinal cord
Dorsoventral patterning is the process by which the spinal cord is patterned along the dorsoventral axis
Motor neurons transmit signals from the spinal cord to muscles and glands
Sensory neurons transmit signals from sensory receptors to the spinal cord

Signaling pathways, including Notch, Wnt, and Shh, regulate neural development
Transcription factors, such as Pax, Sox, and Nkx, regulate gene expression during neural development
Growth factors, including neurotrophins and fibroblast growth factors, regulate the growth and survival of neurons