Developmental Neuroscience Glossary

Genetically programmed cell death that eliminates excess or improperly connected neurons during development.

A star-shaped glial cell that supports neurons, maintains the blood-brain barrier, and regulates synaptic transmission.

The process by which developing axons navigate to their correct targets using molecular cues.

A neurotrophic factor that supports neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and hippocampal function.

A signaling molecule that promotes epidermal fate; its inhibition is required for neural induction.

A developmental time window during which specific experience is necessary for normal neural circuit formation.

The branching growth of dendrites that expands a neuron's receptive surface area for synaptic input.

Changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence, mediated by methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs.

A dynamic structure at the tip of a growing axon that senses guidance cues and directs axon navigation.

A lasting increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation, considered a cellular basis of learning.

A signaling molecule that forms a concentration gradient and specifies different cell fates at different concentrations.

The process of wrapping axons in an insulating myelin sheath to increase electrical signal conduction speed.

A transient embryonic cell population that migrates to form peripheral neurons, glia, melanocytes, and craniofacial structures.

The embryonic process by which ectoderm is directed to become neural tissue through inhibition of BMP signaling.

A thickened region of ectoderm that forms after neural induction and subsequently folds into the neural tube.

The embryonic precursor of the brain and spinal cord, formed by folding of the neural plate during neurulation.

The production of new neurons from neural stem cells and progenitor cells.

The capacity of the nervous system to change its structure and function in response to experience or injury.

A protein that supports the survival, growth, and differentiation of neurons, such as NGF, BDNF, and NT-3.

A glial cell in the central nervous system that produces myelin sheaths around axons.

Cells that serve as both neural progenitors and migratory scaffolding during cortical development.

A broader developmental window of heightened plasticity, during which experience has an especially strong influence but deficits may be partially recoverable.

A morphogen that patterns the ventral neural tube by specifying cell fates at different concentration thresholds.

The formation of synapses between neurons, peaking in early postnatal development.

Any agent that can cause abnormal development when an embryo or fetus is exposed during a critical period.