Neonatal and Postnatal Brain Development

Question 0

Primary neurolation

Answer 0

3-4 weeks of gestation

*Formation of notocord, neural tube, neural crest

Question 1

Myeloschisis

Answer 1

Newborn has a missing roofplate, vertebral arch, and skin covering it

-Will see opening on child’s back

Question 2

Secondary Neurolation

Answer 2

Canalization: 4-7wks

Retrogressive Determination 7wks-Birth

Question 3

Diastematomyelia

Answer 3

Defects in the vertebrae formation lead to formation of fat in the way

Question 4

Myelocystocele

Answer 4

Formation of cyst at the site of neural crest fusion

=>infxns

Question 5

Aprosencephaly

Answer 5

Absence of telencephalon and diencephalon

Question 6

Atelencephaly

Answer 6

Absence of telencephalon

Question 7

Neuronal proliferation

Answer 7

Formed by symmetrical divisions of stem cells in the ventricular and subventricular zones

Question 8

Microcephaly/Microlissencephaly

Answer 8

Reduced proliferation of glia in germinal zone

Question 9

Inside-out neuronal migration

Answer 9

Cells destined for deepest cortical layer migrate 1st

*Formation of cortical preplate occurs; by Week 24, baby has full complement of neurons

Question 10

3 Mechanisms of neuronal migration

Answer 10

Locomotion guided-Neurons move along scaffolding of glial fibers

Somal translocation- Cell body pulls towards pial surface by shortening its radial process

Tangential migration- GABAergic neurons move parallel to germinal zone

Question 11

Pachygyria

Answer 11

Presence of few broad, flat gyri w/ a thickened cortex

Question 12

Schizencephaly

Answer 12

Disorder of neuronal migration leading to abnormal cortical migration

• Commonly has clefts in brain
• affects mostly women

Question 13

Subcortical band heterotopia

Answer 13

Deep bands of gray matter that can be found in subcortex right beside ventricles

-Developmental abnormalities

Question 14

Progression of myelination

Answer 14

Proximal before distal

• Central before lateral
• Posterior before anterior
• Brainstem and thalamus are myelinated @ birth

Question 15

Stress on developing brain

Answer 15

Positive- Small amnt; helps child learn self assurance

Tolerable- Long periods of stress w/ increased amnts of cortisol; usually reversible

Negative- Irreversible damage caused by chronic abuse; can lead to disease susceptibility as an adult

Question 16

Nicotine effects on neonatal brain

Answer 16

Decreases Ach utility

Question 17

Synaptic pruning

Answer 17

Repeated neuronal activity during critical growth periods stabilizes circuits and they will no longer need less energy (glucose)

Question 18

Myelinated Areas @ Birth

Answer 18

Dorsal brainstem, optic tract, thalamus

Question 19

Nicotine on Neonatal Brain

Answer 19

Decreased Ach fnxn

Question 20

Microlissencephaly

Answer 20

Extremely small head w/ thickened cortex

Question 21

Most at risk kids

Answer 21

Rejected kids

Question 22

When to start treating for depression

Answer 22

When grief lasts longer than 2 months

-Educate patient that thoughts may not go away but overall mood will be better