Question

Explain in detail some unique developmental aspects of the human brain. Give an example, important to human brain development when, “the loss of an inhibitor is equivalent to the gain of an activator.” This is a common theme in developmental biology.

Answer 1

The human brain is the most complex of biological systems, with different functional domains, different neural circuits, and different cell types. Its lifespan has immense potential, including continuity and changes at both levels of order and performance. The brain has a unique developmental state compared to the rest of the body. While at birth 6% of the adult body weight, the brain is already 25 percent of its adult weight; in two years, these rates are 20 percent and 77 percent. This rapid rate of brain development is accompanied by a slower rate of maturity through early adulthood. One of the major properties of DOHaD is that both the structural and functional aspects of brain development are highly predictive of overall health and well-being. As the brain intensifies behavioral changes, understanding its development is crucial to designing and disseminating interventions that increase healthy growth and reduce the impact of paralysis and disorders.