- In all vertebrates, a specific structure of the brain (known as the cerebral hemispheres) are close to mirror images of one another 
- This is known as "bilateral symmetry"

Bilateral Symmetry 

- Within each "level" (segment) of the spinal cord, some spinal nerves will extend from the structure
- This is another commonality amongst vertebrates 

Segmentation 

- The cerebral hemispheres of the brain control/ regulate spinal cord activity (common amongst vertebrates)

Hierarchical control 

- Amongst all vertebrates, there are distinct neural systems 
- This means that the brain/ spinal cord is seperate from the peripheral nervous system 

Separate Neural Systems 

- Amongst all vertebrates, specific regions of the central nervous system are responsible for specific functions 

Localization of Function 

- All vertebrate systems utilize an early embryonic structure known as the dorsal neural tube
- The "head" of this structure will go on to form various subdivisions of the brain   

Development from Dorsal Neural Tube

- Development begins from common structure (dorsal tube)
- Symmetry within brain structures (bilateral symmetry) 
- Construction of spinal nerves with spinal cord (segmentation)
- Communication between brain and spinal cord (hierarchical control) 
- Differentiated neural systems 
- Localized functions

Smith College

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

- Evolution of the Brain and Behavior
- Life-Span Development of the Brain and Behavior

Evolution and Development of the Nervous System

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Plasticity is how the brain is able to learn and adapt to environments. It exists throughout a person's lifetime, though it tends to be more active in early development when the brain is still forming. Plasticity is one of the key concepts within behavioral neuroscience that affects nearly all systems of the brain and brain functions.

Plasticity

The brain is a highly complex organ that develops in an orderly fashion, as directed by genes and the environment. There are four main stages of brain development that describe how the brain changes in morphology throughout prenatal life. Within these four main stages of brain morphological development, there are six stages describing the development of the nervous system that enable the brain to change in morphology. (Page 194 has images of the morphological changes of the developing brain). 

Stages of Brain Development

Experience and the environment regulate gene expression in brain development by helping to shape behaviors and a person's surroundings and vice versa. This is called epigenetics.

Genes and Experience Guide Brain Development

- visual deprivation

- early exposure to visual patterns

Individual Differences in Experience Affect Brain Development 

- Memory Impairment

- Alzheimer's Disease 


Brain Changes Due to Aging

The process in which physical/behavioral changes of a population occur over long periods of time. Evolution is a scientific theory that for over the last 150 years, scientists have gathered an overwhelming amount of evidence that supports this theory.  

Evolution 

Common Neural Features in Vertebrates

Abnormalities in the development of the nervous system that are influenced by both our genes and the environment. Developmental disorders commonly manifest as behavioral abnormalities.

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