Neural Tube Library 

- During the early development, the embryo will transform a flat plane of neuroepithelial cells into a closed tube, which will eventually develop/ differentiate into structures of the brain and spinal cord 
-  In order for this to occur, these neuroepithelial cells utilize specific genetic expression patterns to allow for closure across the head to tail axis, and allow for appropriate cell behavior in specific regions 
- There are also certain prerequisite processes that allow neural tube closure to happen, such as apical constriction 

Neural Tube Closure 

- 100+ genes are used to facilitate closure of the cranial neural tube 
- Researchers have hypothesized that unique mechanisms for neural tube closure are utilized in this region, since the cranial neural plate region is much wider compared to that of the spinal cord or other regions
- The cranial neural tube also utilizes a range of morphogen (molecular) signaling patterns to differentiate cells into specific identities across its axis 

Cranial Neural Tube

- 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   

Smith College

- 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

Common Neural Features in Vertebrates

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

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

- 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 

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