Development of the Human Cortex and the Concept of “Critical” or “Sensitive” Periods
Abstract
This review describes the prenatal and postnatal development of the human cortex. Neurogenesis, neuronal migration, dendrite maturation, synaptogenesis, and white matter development are discussed. In addition, the concept of “critical” or “sensitive” periods is discussed as well as genetic and environmental influences (Nature‐Nurture). The effects of irradiation, alcohol, smoking, and prenatal maternal influenza and stress on brain functions and language performance are reviewed. The periods of plasticity are reviewed for stereoscopic vision, brain lesions, social neglect, and first and second language acquisition. This article illustrates that “critical” or “sensitive” periods exist for those functions for which axonal rewiring across a long distance in the brain is necessary. This is virtually impossible after completion of the developmental competition between different axonal systems. Furthermore, genotyping allows the maximum of structural and functional properties, but the eventual outcome is under the influence of the environment in positive or negative directions. Under dramatic circumstances, environmental factors during the first years of life can be quite decisive for the development of language, social, and other intellectual functions.
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These findings are consistent with a very early critical or sensitive period for intellectual development in which particular environmental stimuli are necessary for normative axonal rewiring.
“As Beckett and colleagues point out, these findings are consistent with the existence of a very early critical or sensitive period for intellectual development in which particular environmental stimuli are necessary for normative axonal rewiring (see Uylings [2006] and Rutter [2006b] for reviews).”
From Personality Psychology and Economics (2011) · cites this paper as Uylings [2006]
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- Authors
- Uylings, H. B. M.
- Affiliations
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Uylings, H. B. M.
- Venue
- Language Learning
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2006-07
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- s1
- Pages
- 59-90
- ISSN
- 0023-8333 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-9922
- OpenAlex
- W1945475712
- Cited by
- 189
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 33 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 1.69
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Language Learning (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Language Development and Disorders
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Keywords
- critical period, sensitive period, neurogenesis, neuronal migration, synaptogenesis, white matter development, neuroplasticity, nature-nurture, fetal radiation exposure, prenatal alcohol exposure, maternal smoking, maternal influenza, maternal stress, language acquisition, stereo vision, brain lesions, social neglect
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