Researchers Identify Very First Neurons In The 'Thinking' Brain

Source: Yale University
Posted: July 22, 2006

Summary:

Researchers have discovered the very first neurons in what develops into the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that makes humans human. The findings published in Nature Neuroscience show that the first neurons, or “predecessors,” as the researchers called them, are in place 31 days after fertilization. This is much earlier than previously thought and well before development of arms, legs or eyes.

The new insights into the formation of the cerebral cortext may provide a better understanding of developmental disorders of higher brain function, such as autism, schizophrenia, childhood epilepsy, developmental dyslexia and mental retardation. It also may explain how the human brain developed differently from that of other species.

Commentary: Maybe these neurons can be coaxed in to successful therapeutic applications to treat human neurological and developmental disoders and improve patients' mental and physical functioning and overall quality of life.