Neural crest contribution to forebrain development

The neural crest (NC), a defining feature of vertebrate embryo, generates most of the skeletal tissues encasing the developing forebrain and provides the prosencephalon with functional vasculature and meninges. Recent findings show that early in development, the cephalic NC is also essential for the preotic neural tube closure and promotes the development of the prosencephalic alar plate by regulating the morphogenetic activities of forebrain organizers. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.