Fetal development of functional thalamocortical and cortico-cortical connectivity.

Measuring and understanding functional fetal brain development in utero is critical for the study of the developmental foundations of our cognitive abilities, possible early detection of disorders, and their prevention. Thalamocortical connections are an intricate component of shaping the cortical layout, but so far, only ex-vivo studies provide evidence of how axons enter the sub-plate and cortex during this highly dynamic phase. Evidence for normal in-utero development of the functional thalamocortical connectome in humans is missing.

The Prenatal Morphomechanic Impact of Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum on Human Brain Structure and Asymmetry.

Genetic, molecular, and physical forces together impact brain morphogenesis. The early impact of deficient midline crossing in agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC) on prenatal human brain development and architecture is widely unknown. Here we analyze the changes of brain structure in 46 fetuses with ACC in vivo to identify their deviations from normal development.

Validity of SyMRI for Assessment of the Neonatal Brain.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of T1-weighted and T2-weighted contrasts generated by the MR data postprocessing software SyMRI (Synthetic MR AB, Linköping, Sweden) for neonatal brain imaging.

Methods: In this study 36 cases of neonatal MRI were retrospectively collected, which included T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences as well as multi-dynamic multi-echo (MDME) sequences. Of the 36 neonates 32 were included in this study and 4 neuroradiologists independently assessed neonatal brain examinations on the basis of conventional and SyMRI-generated T1-weighted and T2-weighted contrasts, in order to determine the presence or absence of lesions.

Benign Postnatal Outcome after Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Ventriculomegaly with Choroid Plexus Hyperplasia: A Case Report.

Prenatal counselling following the diagnosis of fetal ventriculomegaly is challenging. Fetal MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can be helpful in characterizing ventriculomegaly severity and associated anomalies, hence contributing to prognosis establishment. Choroid plexus hyperplasia (CPH) is a rare entity characterized by enlargement of the choroid plexuses, usually progressing to severe hydrocephalus with an associated poor outcome.