The Developing Brain
AB_1059
2023
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Maaike Spaans
Module 2/3
Lecture slides, notes from lectures, and notes from Q&A sessions.
Grade: 8.1
1
,INDEX
Most lectures contain slides and notes. Lectures 12-14 (module 3) are notes only.
LECTURE 5: POSTNATAL BRAIN DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................... 3
LECTURE 6: SCHIZOPHRENIA ................................................................................................................ 23
LECTURE 7: CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF ADOLESCENTS WITH GENDER DYSPHORIA ....................... 45
LECTURE 8: NEUROBIOLOGY OF GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION .............................. 60
Q&A MODULE 2 ................................................................................................................................ 74
2
,LECTURE 5: POSTNATAL BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Synapse formation
Synapse specificity
- Synapses only from between neurons, not between other cells.
- Main connections: pre- and post-synaptic development
When will …
- Recap: axons are trying to find a target (imagine a snake – head is growth cone and the
tongue senses to find the target.
- Axon decides to form connection or not.
Synapse formation
- First contact is mediated by recognition of cell adhesion molecules on the membrane.
- Nectins, ephrins and (proto)cadherins form temporary connections between pre-and
postsynaptic partners → immature synapse.
Synapse formation (notes):
- There are elements on the growth cone with which they sense the environment. Different
types/specific proteins, specialized organization. You don’t have to know all these
proteins/names by heart, but recognize them.
- Cell adhesion molecules (they adhere to their partner and form a structure).
- Formation of the immature synapse (early synapse).
3
, Chemo-affinity hypothesis: matching of molecular markers (proteins) on axons and dendrites
defines synapse specificity.
Chemo-affinity (notes):
- The same protein/molecule on the presynaptic side and on the postsynaptic side, that bind
to each other.
- THIS WAS DEBUNKED.
- Actually different expressants/nonmatching molecules.
The protocadherins: molecular codes for synapse specificity
- Dendrite of hippocampal neuron in culture.
- Different variant (red vs. green) of protocadherin in subsets of synaptic sites.
4
AB_1059
2023
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Maaike Spaans
Module 2/3
Lecture slides, notes from lectures, and notes from Q&A sessions.
Grade: 8.1
1
,INDEX
Most lectures contain slides and notes. Lectures 12-14 (module 3) are notes only.
LECTURE 5: POSTNATAL BRAIN DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................... 3
LECTURE 6: SCHIZOPHRENIA ................................................................................................................ 23
LECTURE 7: CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF ADOLESCENTS WITH GENDER DYSPHORIA ....................... 45
LECTURE 8: NEUROBIOLOGY OF GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION .............................. 60
Q&A MODULE 2 ................................................................................................................................ 74
2
,LECTURE 5: POSTNATAL BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Synapse formation
Synapse specificity
- Synapses only from between neurons, not between other cells.
- Main connections: pre- and post-synaptic development
When will …
- Recap: axons are trying to find a target (imagine a snake – head is growth cone and the
tongue senses to find the target.
- Axon decides to form connection or not.
Synapse formation
- First contact is mediated by recognition of cell adhesion molecules on the membrane.
- Nectins, ephrins and (proto)cadherins form temporary connections between pre-and
postsynaptic partners → immature synapse.
Synapse formation (notes):
- There are elements on the growth cone with which they sense the environment. Different
types/specific proteins, specialized organization. You don’t have to know all these
proteins/names by heart, but recognize them.
- Cell adhesion molecules (they adhere to their partner and form a structure).
- Formation of the immature synapse (early synapse).
3
, Chemo-affinity hypothesis: matching of molecular markers (proteins) on axons and dendrites
defines synapse specificity.
Chemo-affinity (notes):
- The same protein/molecule on the presynaptic side and on the postsynaptic side, that bind
to each other.
- THIS WAS DEBUNKED.
- Actually different expressants/nonmatching molecules.
The protocadherins: molecular codes for synapse specificity
- Dendrite of hippocampal neuron in culture.
- Different variant (red vs. green) of protocadherin in subsets of synaptic sites.
4
