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VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 1 ( January-March, 2022 ) > List of Articles

REVIEW ARTICLE

Recent Advances in the Study of Fetal Brain Structure and Function

Asim Kurjak

Keywords : Antenatal neurodevelopment, Fetal neurodevelopment, KANET

Citation Information : Kurjak A. Recent Advances in the Study of Fetal Brain Structure and Function. 2022; 1 (1):81-93.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11005-0013

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 06-05-2022

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2022; The Author(s).


Abstract

Assessment of the fetal nervous system, both in the anatomical and functional way, has remained a part of the research project for several years. Advances in ultrasound techniques, especially the evolution of ultrasound techniques and particularly the introduction of 3D and 4D techniques, offered the chance to check fetal anatomy and activity in real-time and in extreme detail. How the brain of the fetus develops and matures both in utero and during extrauterine life is a very complex process that follows a selected behavioral pattern that undergoes changes and progresses reciprocal to every week of growth, mirroring its neurological integrity. If the stages that the neurological development goes through during in utero life may be recognized and standardized, then the doubtless abnormal neurobehaviors may be defined and prompt diagnosis of pathological conditions of the fetal nervous system may be possible. To this goal, a pioneer test was introduced by Kurjak; Kurjak antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) uses 4D ultrasound to assess fetal behavior and movements in a way similar to postnatal neonatal neurological evaluation. Evidence from multicenter studies shows that the test has the potential to spot fetuses at risk for neurodevelopment impairment and it's applicable in everyday clinical practice.


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