UNDERSTANDING HOW THE BRAIN WORKS

UNDERSTANDING HOW THE BRAIN WORKS

1. The maturation of the Central Nervous System can be divided into six, sequential, major events.

   • DORSAL INDUCTION
     • It takes place form 18 to 26 days of gestation
     • On the 18th day, the neural tube is formed, it will eventually develop into the brain and the spinal cord.
     • On the 26th day, the neural tube closes and it marks the end of dorsal induction.
   • VENTRAL INDUCTION
     • It takes place form 4 to 10 weeks of gestation
     • This stage involves the head end of the embryo and the developing neural tube that will eventually form the face and the brain.
   • PROLIFERATION
     • It's a two-phase process consisting of neuroblast and glioblasts.
     • If there is any interruption of the third stage, the brain may never reach it's full growth potential.
     • Glioblast are cells that will form the basic support structures in the mature brain, both neuroblast and glioblast begin to grow rapidly during proliferation, creating the neurons a person will have for life.
   • MIGRATION
     • It takes place between the 6 to 8 weeks of gestation through 8 months gestation
     • Disorders of late migration may contribute to the impaired coordination, visual perceptions
   • ORGANIZATION
     • It takes place at 6 moths of gestation and continues well after birth.
     • Neurons begin to sprout branches referred to as axons and dentrites.
     • Over time, those cells that are not needed will die of.
   • MYELINATION
     • It takes place at 6 months of gestation and continues into adulthood.
     • The glial cells produce myelin, it coats and insulates many axons to provide for rapid impulse trnasmission.
     • True maturity of the CNS only occurs after the myelination process has been fully developed.