Download The Developing Brain 2013 SI

The Developing Brain:
Cerebral Cortex
Gray matter consists of
neurons and their axons
and dendrites which have
not been myelinated, as
well as glial cells and
capillaries.
The layer below the gray
matter is formed
predominantly of axons
which have been
myelinated; these connect
neurons in different
regions of the cerebral
cortex with each other and
with other neurons in the
nervous system.
Myelinated axons are
white in appearance,
hence the term "white
matter."
The Developing Brain:
White Matter
Unlike gray matter, the
brain's white matter—
wire-like fibers that
establish neurons' longdistance connections
between brain regions—
thickens progressively
from birth in humans.
A layer of insulation called
myelin progressively
envelops these nerve
fibers, making them more
efficient.
The Developing Brain:
A Closer Look
Gray matter is from
1/12 to 1/6 inch thick,
with 6 layers of
neurons.
The Developing Brain:
Gender Differences (Age)
The Developing Brain:
Gender Differences (Brain Activity)
Top row –men
Bottom row – women
Left column – rest
Center column - active
Blue – low blood flow
and low brain activity
Yellow and red – higher
blood flow and higher
brain activity
“The upper row are the men; the lower row are the women. And you just compare the baseline difference; the
resting brains of women look as hot as the activated brains of men. You can see the amount of activity in resting
women is about as high as the amount of activity in men who are working on problems.”
-Ruben Gur, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania