Neurobiology

1. Neural Development
   1. Early Neural Development
      1. Gastrulation and Neural Induction
      2. Formation of the Neural Plate and Neural Tube
         1. Neural Fold Elevation and Fusion
         2. Closure of the Neural Tube
            1. Anterior Neuropore
            2. Posterior Neuropore
         3. Neural Crest Cell Formation
            1. Migration of Neural Crest Cells
            2. Derivatives of Neural Crest Cells
      3. Patterning of the Neural Tube
         1. Rostrocaudal Patterning
         2. Dorsoventral Patterning
         3. Signaling Pathways
            1. Sonic Hedgehog (Shh)
            2. Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs)
            3. Wnt Signaling
   2. Neurogenesis
      1. Proliferation of Neural Progenitor Cells
      2. Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells
         1. Neuronal Lineage Specification
         2. Gliogenesis
      3. Regulation of Neurogenesis
         1. Genetic and Epigenetic Control
         2. Extrinsic Factors
            1. Growth Factors
            2. Retinoic Acid
   3. Neural Migration
      1. Radial Migration
         1. Role of Radial Glia
         2. Inside-Out Pattern of Cortical Development
      2. Tangential Migration
         1. Interneurons in the Cerebral Cortex
         2. Migration Routes and Cues
            1. Netrins and Semaphorins
      3. Molecular Mechanisms Guiding Migration
         1. Cell Adhesion Molecules
         2. Reelin Signaling Pathway
   4. Synaptogenesis
      1. Formation of Synapses
         1. Pre- and Postsynaptic Differentiation
         2. Role of Synaptic Adhesion Molecules
      2. Activity-Dependent Modification
         1. Hebbian Plasticity
         2. Role of Neurotransmitters
      3. Development of Excitatory and Inhibitory Synapses
         1. Balance of Synaptic Inputs
   5. Myelination
      1. Initiation of Myelination
         1. Oligodendrocytes in the CNS
         2. Schwann Cells in the PNS
      2. Factors Influencing Myelination
         1. Timing and Sequence of Myelination
         2. Axonal Properties
      3. Molecular Pathways in Myelination
         1. Myelin Basic Protein (MBP)
         2. Proteolipid Protein (PLP)
   6. Pruning and Synaptic Plasticity
      1. Synaptic Pruning Processes
         1. Activity-Dependent Synaptic Elimination
         2. Role of Microglia in Pruning
      2. Long-term Potentiation and Depression
         1. Mechanisms of Synaptic Strengthening and Weakening
         2. NMDA Receptor Involvement
   7. Developmental Disorders
      1. Genetic Basis of Developmental Disorders
      2. Prenatal Environmental Factors
         1. Teratogens
         2. Nutritional Deficiencies
      3. Specific Disorders
         1. Spina Bifida
         2. Lissencephaly
         3. Intellectual Disabilities
            1. Down Syndrome
   8. Importance of Critical Periods
      1. Concept of Critical and Sensitive Periods
      2. Examples in Visual and Language Development
      3. Mechanisms Governing Critical Periods
         1. Role of Inhibitory Circuitry
         2. GABAergic System Functions