Some of this organization may actually have evolved in the ancestors of coelomates.  Both vertebrates and Drosophila share a brain divided into a forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain with an important midbrain/hindbrain boundary characterized by the expression patterns of Otx, Hox, and Pax2/5/8 genes (Hirth, 2003). The formation of neuromeres and the expression of LIM-homeodomain, Pax, and hedgehog genes is comparable between lampreys and jawed vertebrates. There are differences, however, in comparisons between the telecencephalon of jawless and jawed vertebrates (Osario, 2005). The homeobox genes which are involved in the development of the brain include members of the Otx, Emx, Dmbx, Gbx, En, and Hox families ( Holland, 2005). In humans and teleosts, brp 239 proteins are used in the development and physiology of the brain. Homologs in lancelets seem to be involved in more general development, such as that of the notochord, pharynx, gills, and digestive tract (Lin, 2005).

     Despite the differences between the brains of adult placental mammals and the brains of more primitive vertebrates, the brain of placental embryos show a number of similarities with the more primitive condition.  The brain develops as a series of linear regions which slowly fold into the adult configuration.  The midbrain is prominent and exposed in early embryonic development and its channel for cerebrospinal fluid is much more prominent than the condition in adults.

Amphioxus

An estimated 1/250 human conceptions suffer from an abnormality known as holoprosencephaly (although the incidence at birth is far lower (1/16,000) due to the lethality of the condition).  In the most severe condition, the forebrain is not divided into hemispheres and possesses only a single ventricle (Aruga, 2004).

Chick Embryonic brain

RHOMBOMERES

     Molecularly, the boundaries between major brain regions express specific genes. For example, the midbrain-hindbrain boundary is marked by the expression of by Otx-2, Wnt-1, FGF8, En (2,5,8), Pax(2,5,8) genes (Hall, 1999).  Microanatomy and analysis of gene expression suggest that Amphioxus possesses homologs of the vertebrate forebrain (the diencephalon rather than the telencephalon), anterior midbrain, and hindbrain (Holland, from Ahlberg, 2001). 

     The hindbrain begins its development by forming a series of rhombomeres with distinct patterns of gene expression.  For example, the various genes of the Hox clusters whose expression establishes a positional map in various regions of the body, are only expressed in specific rhombomeres.  For example, Hoxb-1 is produced only in rhombomere 4 while Hoxa3 is expressed at the boundary between rhombomeres 4 and 5 (Hall, 1999).  Hoxa2 and Hoxb2 are more highly expressed in r3 and r5; Hoxa3 and Hoxb3 are more highly expressed in r5.  Hoxd4, Hoxb4, and Hoxa4 are expressed in r7.  Hoxa1 is expressed from r4 through r7 and Hoxd3 from r6 to r7 (Iulianella, 2003).

Chick

MIGRATION

    The development of the cerebrum and other regions of the brain depends on the ability of neurons to migrate from their place of origin.  The migration of neurons is apparently an ancient mechanism in animal development.  Many developing neurons are known to migrate in invertebrates as diverse as cnidarians, mollusks, and arthropods.  Although the cells of the developing pig brain (in the following images) develop along the lumen of the neural tube, they migrate in order to reach their final destinations.