SSEH3345 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Prenatal Development, Cerebral Cortex, Cognitive Development
16 Jun 2019
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Infantile - survival and postural: development of voluntary movement. A moving baby > indicates a good development during pregnancy. Neural development: 4-6 weeks - major neural constructions, 7-9 weeks - myogenic movements re ecting maturation of lower motor neurons, 16-20 weeks - neurogenic movements re ecting maturation of upper motor neurons. At 38 weeks, the most mature structures are the brainstem and spinal cord. Human brains are proportionally far bigger than any other species. If brain was more mature we would not t through birth canal. Head extends and turns 90 degree (forehead leading) Head turns back 45 degree so shoulders can come through. A lot of pressure on infants head. Massive impact on cell growth - cell expanding - no change/growth around time of birth. Causes increase in cortisol (increases bp and increases blood sugar) Cortisol thought to destroy some neural connections. Things that the infant could do in-utero may be lost.
