Table Of ContentThe Developing Brain
and Its Connections
The Developing Brain and Its Connections describes the processes of neural development from neural
induction through synaptic refnement. Each chapter explores specifc mechanisms of development
and describes key experiments from invertebrate and vertebrate animal models. By highlighting
experimental methods and explaining how hypotheses evolve over time, readers learn essential facts
while strengthening their appreciation of the scientifc method. Discussions of neurodevelopmental
disorders and therapeutic approaches to them bridge basic science discoveries with the clinical aspects
of the feld. Descriptions of recent work by student researchers and medical residents demonstrate
career pathways and options for those interested in pursuing any area neural development. With
this distinctive approach, easy-to-follow writing style, and clear illustrations, The Developing Brain
presents an accessible approach to neural development for undergraduate students.
The Developing Brain
and its Connections
Lynne M. Bianchi
Boca Raton London New York
CRC Press is an imprint of the
Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
First edition published 2023
by CRC Press
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CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
© 2023 Lynne M. Bianchi
Derived from Developmental Neurobiology published by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC |
Garland Science 2018
Cover image courtesty of Jason Newbern and Mike Holter.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Bianchi, Lynne M. (Professor of neuroscience), author.
Title: The developing brain and its connections / Lynne M. Bianchi.
Description: First edition. | Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, 2023. | Includes
bibliographical references and index.
Identifers: LCCN 2022029030 (print) | LCCN 2022029031 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780367762438 (hbk) | ISBN 9780367749903 (pbk) |
ISBN 9781003166078 (ebk)
Subjects: LCSH: Developmental neurobiology. | Neurotransmitters.
Classifcation: LCC QP363.5 .B59 2023 (print) | LCC QP363.5 (ebook) |
DDC 612.6/4018—dc23/eng/20220916
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022029030
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022029031
ISBN: 9780367762438 (hbk)
ISBN: 9780367749903 (pbk)
ISBN: 9781003166078 (ebk)
DOI: 10.1201/9781003166078
Typeset in ITC Leawood
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
To Gene, Aaron, Glia, and Steven
BRIEF CONTENTS
List of Boxes xv
Author Biography xvii
Preface xix
Chapter 1
An Introduction to the Field of Developmental Neurobiology 1
Chapter 2
Neural Induction 35
Chapter 3
Segmentation of the Anterior–Posterior Axis 57
Chapter 4
Patterning along the Dorsal–Ventral Axis 89
Chapter 5
Proliferation and Migration of Neurons 123
Chapter 6
Cell Determination and Early Differentiation 161
Chapter 7
Neurite Outgrowth, Axonal Pathfnding, and Initial Target Selection 203
Chapter 8
Neuronal Survival and Programmed Cell Death 241
Chapter 9
Synaptic Formation and Reorganization Part I:
The Neuromuscular Junction 275
Chapter 10
Synaptic Formation and Reorganization Part II:
Synapses in the Central Nervous System 307
Glossary 337
Index 349
DETAILED CONTENTS
List of Boxes xv A Region of the Dorsal Blastopore Lip Organizes
the Amphibian Body Axis and Induces the
Author Biography xvii
Formation of Neural Tissue 40
Preface xix
The Search for the Neural Inducer Took Decades
of Research 41
Chapter 1 New Tissue Culture Methods and Cell-Specifc
Markers Advanced the Search for Neural
An Introduction to the Field of
Inducers 42
Developmental Neurobiology 1
NEURAL INDUCTION: THE NEXT
CELLULAR STRUCTURES AND PHASE OF DISCOVERIES 42
ANATOMICAL REGIONS OF THE Studies Suggest Neural Induction Might Require
NERVOUS SYSTEM 4 Removal of Animal Cap-Derived Signals 43
The Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems Mutation of the Activin Receptor Prevents
Are Comprised of Neurons and Glia 5 the Formation of Ectoderm and Mesoderm
but Induces Neural Tissue 44
The Nervous System Is Organized around Three Axes 7
Modern Molecular Methods Led to the
ORIGINS OF CNS AND PNS REGIONS 8 Identifcation of Three Neural Inducers 45
The Vertebrate Neural Plate Gives Rise to Central
NOGGIN, FOLLISTATIN, AND CHORDIN
and Peripheral Structures 9
PREVENT EPIDERMAL INDUCTION 47
Future Vertebrate CNS Regions Are Identifed at
Studies of Epidermal Induction Revealed the
Early Stages of Neural Development 10
Mechanism for Neural Induction 47
The Timing of Developmental Events Is
The Discovery of Neural Inducers in the Fruit Fly
Standardized in Many Vertebrates 10
Drosophila Led to a New Model for Epidermal
Anatomical Regions and the Timing of
and Neural Induction 48
Developmental Events Are Mapped in
BMP Signaling Pathways Are Regulated
Invertebrate Nervous Systems 15
by SMADs 51
The Drosophila CNS and PNS Arise from Distinct
Additional Signaling Pathways May Infuence
Areas of Ectoderm 16
Neural Induction in Some Contexts 52
Cell Lineages Can Be Mapped in C. Elegans 18
Additional Neural Induction Pathways May Be
GENE REGULATION IN THE DEVELOPING Used in Some Species 52
NERVOUS SYSTEM 20
Summary 54
Experimental Techniques Are Used to Label Genes
and Proteins in the Developing Nervous System 24 Further Reading 54
Altering Development Helps Understand
Normal Processes 25
Chapter 3
Using Naturally Occurring Events to Understand
Neural Development 29 Segmentation of the Anterior–
Posterior Axis 57
Summary 33
Further Reading 34 NEURAL TUBE FORMATION 57
Early Segmentation of the Neural Tube
Establishes Subsequent Organization 60
Chapter 2
Temporal–Spatial Differences in Organizer-
Neural Induction 35 Derived Signals Induce Head and Tail
Structures 61
NEURAL TISSUE IS DESIGNATED Activating, Transforming, and Inhibitory Signals
DURING EMBRYOGENESIS 35 Interact to Pattern the A/P Axis 62
Gastrulation Creates New Cell and Tissue
SPECIFICATION OF FOREBRAIN REGIONS 63
Interactions That Infuence Neural Induction 36
Signals from Extraembryonic Tissues Pattern
NEURAL INDUCTION: EARLY Forebrain Areas 63
DISCOVERIES 40 Forebrain Segments Are Characterized by
Amphibian Models Were Used in Early Different Patterns of Gene Expression 63
Neuroembryology Research and Remain Signals Prevent Wnt Activity in Forebrain
Popular Today 40 Regions 65
