Naslov
Volumetric analysis of developing hippocampus in the human fetal brains with agenesis of the corpus callosum

Autori
Knezović, Vinka ; Štajduhar, Andrija ; Schwartz, Ernst ; Prayer, Daniela ; Vukšić, Mario ; Kasprian, Gregor

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, ostalo

Skup
6th Croatian Neuroscience Congress

Mjesto i datum
Osijek, Hrvatska, 09.2017

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
corpus callosum ; fetal hippocampus

Sažetak
Introduction: One of the most common human brain malformation, agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC), occurs either in isolated form or associated with other brain anomalies. Since ACC can modify brain morphology, we aimed to determine which consequences this congenital defect has on prenatal development of the human hippocampus. Methods: We analyzed 81 in utero fetal brain MRI scans ranging between 20 gestational weeks (GW) to 38 GW, which were divided into three groups ; control group (49 cases), 15 cases with isolated ACC and 17 cases with ACC associated with other brain anomalies. Segmentation of both hippocampi was performed manually and values of intracranial volume (ICV) were obtained from automated segmentations on a 3D reconstructed MRI from a set of 2D axial, coronal and sagittal T2-weighted images. Obtained data were statistically analyzed and presented as a nonlinear regression model for each of three groups and for both hemispheres. Results: Volumes of both hippocampi in all three groups display similar values as well as the same slope of growth curve in first phase of the analyzed period. Moreover, after 25th GW there was a significant decrease in hippocampal volume in ACC associated group compared to controls (left: p = 0.029 ; right: p = 0.020), and this difference was pronounced even more in later developmental period. Absolute hippocampal volumes in isolated ACC group start to differ significantly after 28th GW, first for the left hippocampus (p = 0.007), and after 29th GW for the right hippocampus (p = 0.024) and this difference was more pronounced after 30th GW. In analyzed period, ICVs of control and isolated ACC groups do not significantly differ, while ICVs of ACC associated group showed significantly smaller growth. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that callosal absence notably interferes with the normal process of the hippocampal development during prenatal period in both analyzed groups with ACC, suggesting that this restricted hippocampal growth could affect learning and memory functions in later life of these infants.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA