The Neural Crest in Development and Evolution

by Brian K. Hall

Overview

Knowledge of the development and evolution of the neural crest sheds light on many of the oldest unanswered questions in developmental biology. What is the role of germ layers in early embryogenesis? How does the nervous system develop? How does the vertebrate head arise developmentally and how did it arise evolutionarily? How do growth factors and Hox genes direct cell differenti­ ation and embryonic patterning? What goes wrong when development is misdi­ rected by mutations or by exposure of embryos to exogenous agents such as drugs, alcohol, or excess vitamin A? In 1988, I was instrumental in organizing the publication of a facsimile reprint of the classic monograph by Sven Horstadius, The Neural Crest: Its properties and derivatives in the light of experimental research, which was originally pub­ lished in 1950. Included with the reprint was my analysis of more recent studies of the neural crest and its derivatives. The explosion of interest in and knowledge of the neural crest over the past decade, however, has prompted me to produce this new treatment. Here, as in my 1988 overview, I take a broad approach to the neural crest, dealing with its discovery, its embryological and evolutionary ori­ gins, its cellular derivatives-in both agnathan and jawed vertebrates or gnathos­ tomes-and the broad topics of migration and differentiation in normal development. Cells from the neural crest are also associated with many develop­ mental abnormalities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781475730647
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	03/14/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Hall, Brian K. (Dalhousie Univ)

Table of Contents

I. Discovery and Origins.- 1. Discovery.- 2. Embryological Origins.- 3. Evolutionary Origins.- 4. Agnathans.- II. Derivatives and Diversity.- 5. Amphibians.- 6. Bony and Cartilaginous Fishes.- 7. Reptiles and Birds.- 8. Mammals.- III. Mechanisms and Malformations.- 9. Mechanisms of Migration.- 10. Mechanisms of Differentiation.- 11. Neurocristopathies.- 12. Birth Defects.- Notes.- References.

Editorial Reviews

4 Stars! from Doody

This book on the neural crest provides a broad approach to the subject, and many different aspects are covered, including discovery, derivatives, embryology, evolutionary development, and associated disorders. There are 65 illustrations including schematic diagrams and photomicrographs, mostly in black-and-white and some in full color. The purpose, in view of the explosion of interest and knowledge of the neural crest, is to discuss different aspects of this subject in the context of more recent studies and developments. The book is important as it gives a comprehensive overview of the tremendous amount of research taking place on neural crest and its derivatives. It is a very useful text as the topic is covered in much detail. It is also very helpful in pointing out sources for further reading and research on the subject. According to the author, this book is written for neuroscientists and developmental biologists. In addition, it should also prove to be of interest and use to neurologists, neurosurgeons, and anyone with a background in science interested in the neural crest. The author has been working in this field for a number of years and has been actively involved with much of the research and publications on the subject. The book begins with a description of how neural crest was discovered. This description is followed by what is now known about its embryological origin, development during evolution, and its cellular derivatives, including both agnathan as well as jawed vertebrates. Migration and differentiation of neural crest derivatives during normal development is also covered. The author concludes the text by talking about the developmental abnormalities associatedwith the neural crest cells, neurocristopathies, and various birth defects involving these structures. The text is well-organized and easy to understand. The author covers almost all important aspects of the subject including vivid descriptions of mechanisms of migration and neurocristopathies. There is no bibliography at the end of each chapter. Instead, there are brief references along with a short comment at the end of the book in order to preserve the fluency of the text. This is followed by a detailed bibliography in alphabetical order. This is an excellent text by one of the authorities on the subject. It covers a lot of ground, is well-written, and accompanied by good illustrations. It is a very useful addition to the currently available texts on the neural crest, of which there are not very many.

Ali I. Raja

Reviewer: Ali I. Raja, MD (University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description: This book on the neural crest provides a broad approach to the subject, and many different aspects are covered, including discovery, derivatives, embryology, evolutionary development, and associated disorders. There are 65 illustrations including schematic diagrams and photomicrographs, mostly in black-and-white and some in full color.
Purpose: The purpose, in view of the explosion of interest and knowledge of the neural crest, is to discuss different aspects of this subject in the context of more recent studies and developments. The book is important as it gives a comprehensive overview of the tremendous amount of research taking place on neural crest and its derivatives. It is a very useful text as the topic is covered in much detail. It is also very helpful in pointing out sources for further reading and research on the subject.
Audience: According to the author, this book is written for neuroscientists and developmental biologists. In addition, it should also prove to be of interest and use to neurologists, neurosurgeons, and anyone with a background in science interested in the neural crest. The author has been working in this field for a number of years and has been actively involved with much of the research and publications on the subject.
Features: The book begins with a description of how neural crest was discovered. This description is followed by what is now known about its embryological origin, development during evolution, and its cellular derivatives, including both agnathan as well as jawed vertebrates. Migration and differentiation of neural crest derivatives during normal development is also covered. The author concludes the text by talking about the developmental abnormalities associated with the neural crest cells, neurocristopathies, and various birth defects involving these structures. The text is well-organized and easy to understand. The author covers almost all important aspects of the subject including vivid descriptions of mechanisms of migration and neurocristopathies. There is no bibliography at the end of each chapter. Instead, there are brief references along with a short comment at the end of the book in order to preserve the fluency of the text. This is followed by a detailed bibliography in alphabetical order.
Assessment: This is an excellent text by one of the authorities on the subject. It covers a lot of ground, is well-written, and accompanied by good illustrations. It is a very useful addition to the currently available texts on the neural crest, of which there are not very many.

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