How the brain develops The brain consists of nerve cells called neurons. Neurons arise in the prenatal phase before birth and are differentiated by chemical signals in order to specialize. The development process of neurons begins with the primitive parts of the brain and moves on to the more advanced...

The brain of a newborn grows by experience. Most brain growth in the cerebral cortex and limbic system – brain regions involved in abstract thought, language and emotional control – occurs after birth. One aspect of growth is the activity of nerve pathways from the sensory organs to the brain....