What factors affect the development of the nervous system?
The development of the nervous system is controlled by genetic information, nutrition and cellular and molecular signals in the embryo. The brain and spinal cord begin with formation at the beginning of pregnancy, although it takes years to ripen. In humans, factors affecting neural development of children after birth after the birth of the sensory organs, the environment and the extent in which the brain and the nervous system can grow. The development of the nervous system in adults depends on plasticity, the ability to adapt, to adapt, learn new things and perform new tasks.
For embryos, development is controlled by genes called growth factors that call cells when and where to grow. A layer of cells separated from the proto of the ectoderm. They become cells of the nerve ridge, which are differentiated on the spinal cord and peripheral nerves and the nerve tube from which the brain is formed. Neural migration follows because neurons organize according to chemical signals in places will be permanently occupied. Growing axons, projection of nerve cell bodies, have a special tip called growth cone looking for these chemical bumpsky.
During this early period, the factors affecting the development of genetic "switches", which point tissue growth in embryo and mammals, including humans, mother's diet. Many chemicals, called teratagens, may disrupt the formation of the nervous system. Alcohol, tobacco, some pesticides, viruses and even overdose of soluble lipid can cause congenital defects or embryonic or fetus. The development of the nervous system is most vulnerable to these substances during the first weeks of pregnancy.
After birth, an important process called myelinization is accelerated several years before completion in adolescence. Myelin is a protective cloak around the nerves that helps electrical communication. The cognitive and ensorimotor blockage depends on specific paths isolated by myelin. Because electrical signals travel slowly and incomplete in exposed nerves, myelinization is a decisive factor in the development of the nervous system.
An important factor in neural development is the formation of neural networks connecting millions of cells across the brain. Neurons work through feedback modified by experience. Many regions of the cortex are incompletely "involved" or connected at birth and later develop. The classic example occurs in the visual bark, which is activated by light and can only develop if a small child has functional eyes. If this critical phase is disrupted, the brain can later remain in life able to process vision.
The development of the nervous system in humans is strongly associated with activity after birth. Some brain areas connected during pregnancy can be cut back during childhood and new ones may become united, such as learning to speak, walk or write. In the event of brain damage, active physical and cognitive therapy may also partially restore the lost function of the central nervous system. As a result of neuroplasticity, one part of the brain can take over the function of another damaged part.