Surrounding tissue is likely to play a significant supportive role in the development of the neural tube by exerting pressure from the outside.
In-vitro exposure to THC can cause birth defects in genetically predisposed mice. THC interferes with Hedgehog signaling in the developing mice, leading to an increased risk of birth defects.
Researchers have developed a new model of early embryonic brain development. The model, called MiSTR, allows researchers to create tissue that contains different brain regions and place them next to each other. The model produces results similar to embryonic brain development at five weeks post-fertilization.
Researchers believe findings may shed light on how the vertebrate brain may have evolved.
Researchers identify a gene related to neural tube defects in dogs. They also found evidence the gene may be an important risk factor for human neural tube defects, including spina bifida and anencephaly.
