engleski

Recent advances in neurophysiology

Functional development of the fetal brain begins as early as the late embryonic period. During the 9 months of gestation, the repertoire of fetal activities constantly expandes, correlating precisely with structural development of the CNS. Major developmental events, such as the establishment of neural connections in different regions of the brain, are accompanied by new patterns of fetal activities and by transformation of existing patterns. The integration of random and abundant fetal activity into organized behavioral states indicates the maturation of the control centers in the CNS. Another sign of advancing maturation is fetal ability to respond to a variety of vibratory, acustic and metabolic external stimuli, acquired during the 3rd trimester. Unfortunately, the ability to recive and respond to the external environment can have many adverse effects. Although the intrauterine world provides optimal conditiones for fetal development, in many situationes the fetus is insufficiently protected from harmful external influences. Fetal hypoxia, infectiones, or maternal substance abuse have been recognized as possible causes of brain damage, including the most severe disorder, cerebal palsy. Furthermore, fetal exposure to stress or even severe maternal stress can also interfere with fetal neurodevelopment and result in longterm and profound consequenses on brain structure and function. A variety of neuropsychiatric diseases are nowdays considered to originate at least partly from prenatal incidents. In most of these conditiones, there is no reliable parameter for detection or prediction of cerebral lesions. On the other hand, the severity of the consequences indicates the need to develop any strategy that would enable early detection of cerebral lesions or indicationes that such lesions might occur. The investigation of fetal behavior and the development of new, advanced imaging techniques open a new perspective for the development of such strategies. According to the present result, 4D sonography represents a significant advance in the study of fetal behavioral patterns and understanding of the functional development of the fetal CNS. Knowing that fetal behavioral patterns correlate fairly well with the development of the CNS and that the quality of fetal movements reveals the integrity of the CNS, this technique could facilitate the development of a diagnostic strategy for the early detection of cerebral dysfunctions. Prevention of brain dysfunction and structural lesions would enable the necessary initial preconditions for an untroubeld and happy childhood.

fetus, neurophysiology

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