What makes the human brain grow?

Over the past several episodes, Dr. Melillo and Dr. Scire have discussed the developmental blueprint of the human brain. In this episode, they elaborated on the early development of the brain during gestation, the first several years of life and how these various stages of development allow the brain to build the complex networks that operate social engagement, emotional regulation, executive functions and human consciousness.

Key Topics:

• The right brain's role in attachment, social engagement, nonverbal communication and emotional regulation.
• Explanation of the development of the autonomic nervous system in the first year of life.
• Why is movement during early childhood so critical for the brain?
• How does the brain modulate the development of the gastrointestinal system?
• What are the early signs of alterations in the developmental brain blueprint?
• How does bipedalism drive the emergent properties of the human brain?
• Discuss the role of the vestibular system in movement and cognition.
• The role of hemispheric function on the autonomic nervous system and the immune system.