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Neural Development and Brain Structure

The neural tissue arises from the ectoderm in response to signals from the mesoderm. During early development, the neural plate thickens and forms ridges that fold and fuse to form the hollow neural tube. This develops into the brain and spinal cord. The nervous system consists of the central nervous system of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system including the somatic and autonomic systems. Neurons transmit signals chemically across synapses using neurotransmitters. Imbalances in these chemicals may underlie some mental disorders.

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Emmanuel Abraham
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13 views17 pages

Neural Development and Brain Structure

The neural tissue arises from the ectoderm in response to signals from the mesoderm. During early development, the neural plate thickens and forms ridges that fold and fuse to form the hollow neural tube. This develops into the brain and spinal cord. The nervous system consists of the central nervous system of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system including the somatic and autonomic systems. Neurons transmit signals chemically across synapses using neurotransmitters. Imbalances in these chemicals may underlie some mental disorders.

Uploaded by

Emmanuel Abraham
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

NEURAL DEVELOPMENT

ABRAHAM EMMANUEL T.
• The skin and neural tissue arise from a single
layer, known as the ectoderm
• in response to signals provided by an adjacent
layer, known as the mesoderm.
• A number of molecules interact to determine
whether the ectoderm becomes neural tissue
or develops in another way to become skin
• Three to four weeks after conception, one of the two cell layers
of the gelatin-like human embryo, now about one-tenth of an
inch long, starts to thicken and build up along the middle.
• As this flat neural plate grows, parallel ridges, similar to the
creases in a paper airplane, rise across its surface.
• Within a few days,the ridges fold in toward each other and fuse
to form the hollow neural tube.
• The top of the tube thickens into three bulges that form
the hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain.
• The first signs of the eyes and then the hemispheres of the
brain appear later.
The Structure of the nervous System
The Structure of the Nervous system

• The Central Nervous System: The brain an


d spinal cord
• The Peripheral Nervous System:
• A. The Somatic NS
• B. The Autonomic NS (sympathetic and pa
ra-sympathetic.)
Neural Transmission
How is information transmitted in the brain

• Neurons are separated by a gap (synapse)


• The neurons “communicate” at the synapse
• Neuron structure: dendrite, cell-body, axon
• Electrical signals are transmitted chemically acro
ss the synapse
• The signals stimulate the “pockets” at the tip of
the axon to release neurotransmitter
Cont-d

• Electro- chemical transmission


• The signal stimulates the vesicles
• Vesicles release the neurotransmitter into the synapse
• Neurotransmitter: Chemical substance released from
a neuron into the synaptic cleft it drifts across the synap
se and is absorbed by the receiving neuron
• The signal “floats” on the neurotransmitter to the next n
euron
• Neurons form inter-connected pathways
Cont-d

• The neurotransmitters can either excite or inhibit


the neuron receiving the signal
• The activity of the neuron depends on the balan
ce between “on” and “off” signals
• Serotonin is implicated in depression and the OC
D.
• Dopamine is implicated in schizophrenia (too mu
ch) and Parkinson (too little)
• GABA (an inhibitory) is implicated in anxiety
Biochemical Theories

• Basic premise:
– Chemical imbalances underlie mental disorder
s
• Dendrites:
– Receive signals from other neurons
• Axons:
– Send signals to other neurons
Neural Transmission
Selected Neurotransmitters Involved in
Some Mental Disorders
Abnormalities in Brain Structure

• It is not always possible to connect brain structu


res to psychological symptoms researchers belie
ve that abnormally developed brain structures
• In 1848 an explosion during the paving of a rail
road caused a metal rod to pierce Phineas Gage
eye socket and to enter his brain
• As a result he showed significant changes in per
sonality
The Human Brain
Functions of the brain

• The forebrain:
– Controls all the higher mental functions, such
as learning, speech, thought, and memory
– Thalamus:
• “Relay station;” transmits nerve impulses througho
ut brain
– Hypothalamus:
• Regulates bodily drives and body conditions
– Limbic system:
• Involves experiencing and expressing emotions an
d motivation
Cont-d

• The midbrain:
– Involved in vision and hearing, and along with
the hindbrain, controls sleep, alertness, and p
ain
– Manufactures serotonin, norepinephrine, and
dopamine
• The hindbrain:
– Controls heart rate, sleep, and respiration
– Manufactures serotonin

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