Correlation between human nervous system development and acquisition of fetal skills: An overview

Borsani, Elisa; Vedova, Anna Maria Della; Rezzani, Rita; Rodella, Luigi Fabrizio; Cristini, Carlo

doi:10.1016/j.braindev.2018.10.009

Cited by 53 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…We used piglet models of excitotoxic brain injury from stereotaxic QA injection (Lee, Liu, et al, 2020) and global HI (Lee et al, 2016; 1997; Santos et al, 2018; Wang et al, 2015; Wang et al, 2016). Brain development at term gestation, perinatal growth, connectivity, and prenatal and extended postnatal myelination are analogous in humans and piglets (Borsani, Della Vedova, Rezzani, Rodella, & Cristini, 2019; Bozek et al, 2018; de Graaf‐Peters & Hadders‐Algra, 2006; Dobbing & Sands, 1979; Ishibashi et al, 2012; Lee, Santos, et al, 2020; Mudd & Dilger, 2017; Oishi, Faria, & Mori, 2012; Sheng, Kerlero de Rosbo, Carnegie, & Bernard, 1989; Simchick et al, 2019; Siu, Balsor, Jones, & Murphy, 2015; Sweasey, Patterson, & Glancy, 1976). We created the piglet model of QA‐induced excitotoxicity (Lee, Liu, et al, 2020) because excitotoxicity is a key mechanism of HI brain injury (Johnston, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fractional anisotropy from diffusion tensor imaging correlates with acute astrocyte and myelin swelling in neonatal swine models of excitotoxic and hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury

et al. 2021

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The specific cytopathology that causes abnormal fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) after neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia (HI) is not completely understood. The panoply of cell types in the brain might contribute differentially to changes in DTI metrics. Because glia are the predominant cell type in brain, we hypothesized that changes in FA and MD would signify perturbations in glial microstructure. Using a 3‐Tesla clinical scanner, we conducted in vivo DTI MRI in nine neonatal piglets at 20–96 h after excitotoxic brain injury from striatal quinolinic acid injection or global HI. FA and MD from putamen, caudate, and internal capsule in toto were correlated with astrocyte swelling, neuronal excitotoxicity, and white matter injury. Low FA correlated with more swollen astrocytes immunophenotyped by aquaporin‐4 (AQP4), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and glutamate transporter‐1 (GLT‐1). Low FA was also related to the loss of neurons with perineuronal GLT‐1+ astrocyte decorations, large myelin swellings, lower myelin density, and oligodendrocyte cell death identified by 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase, bridging integrator‐1, and nuclear morphology. MD correlated with degenerating oligodendrocytes and depletion of normal GFAP+ astrocytes but not with astrocyte or myelin swelling. We conclude that FA is associated with cytotoxic edema in astrocytes and oligodendrocyte processes as well as myelin injury at the cellular level. MD can detect glial cell death and loss, but it may not discern subtle pathology in swollen astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, or myelin. This study provides a cytopathologic basis for interpreting DTI in the neonatal brain after HI.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fractional anisotropy from diffusion tensor imaging correlates with acute astrocyte and myelin swelling in neonatal swine models of excitotoxic and hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury

et al. 2021

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“…Additionally, while AA contributes to Type II immune responses, its oxidative metabolites such as downstream P450 metabolites including epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, contribute to the resolution of inflammation [23,24]. Given the prolonged period of development, intrauterine augmentation of AA transfer to the fetus may be beneficial to support critical neonatal development [25,26]. Since AA has a proven benefit to nervous system function, augmentation of intrauterine transfer may be necessary given the longevity and cruciality of fetal nervous system development throughout pregnancy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intrauterine Transfer of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Mother–Infant Dyads as Analyzed at Time of Delivery

et al. 2021

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Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential for fetal development, and intrauterine transfer is the only supply of PUFAs to the fetus. The prevailing theory of gestational nutrient transfer is that certain nutrients (including PUFAs) may have prioritized transport across the placenta. Numerous studies have identified correlations between maternal and infant fatty acid concentrations; however, little is known about what role maternal PUFA status may play in differential intrauterine nutrient transfer. Twenty mother–infant dyads were enrolled at delivery for collection of maternal and umbilical cord blood, and placental tissue samples. Plasma concentrations of PUFAs were assessed using gas chromatography (GC-FID). Intrauterine transfer percentages for each fatty acid were calculated as follows: ((cord blood fatty acid level/maternal blood fatty acid level) x 100). Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare transfer percentages between maternal fatty acid tertile groups. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. There were statistically significant differences in intrauterine transfer percentages of arachidonic acid (AA) (64% vs. 65% vs. 45%, p = 0.02), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (41% vs. 19% vs. 17%, p = 0.03), and total fatty acids (TFA) (27% vs. 26% vs. 20%, p = 0.05) between maternal plasma fatty acid tertiles. Intrauterine transfer percentages of AA, EPA, and TFA were highest in the lowest tertile of respective maternal fatty acid concentration. These findings may indicate that fatty acid transfer to the fetus is prioritized during gestation even during periods of maternal nutritional inadequacy.

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“…However, it is only in recent decades that the influence of prenatal vitamin D levels on brain development has been understood. The early stages of gestation (first and second trimesters) are a critical period in the development of the foetal nervous system due to the beginning of neurogenesis and the myelination process [ 29 ] and, as we know, foetuses are utterly dependent on their mothers’ vitamin D status. This could be why low levels of this vitamin during this period may be closely related to the children’s neurodevelopment [ 30 , 31 ] and why this effect on cognitive and language skills is not observed when the vitamin D deficiency occurs at the end of gestation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Vitamin D Status during Pregnancy on Infant Neurodevelopment: The ECLIPSES Study

et al. 2020

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Vitamin D status during pregnancy is involved in numerous physiological processes, including brain development. In this study, we assess the association between vitamin D status during pregnancy and infant neurodevelopment (cognitive, language, and motor skills). From an initial sample of 793 women (mean age 30.6) recruited before the 12th week of pregnancy, 422 mother–infant pairs were followed up to a postpartum visit. Vitamin D levels were assessed in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, and socio-demographic, nutritional, and psychological variables were collected. At 40 days postpartum, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III were administered to the infants and several obstetrical data were recorded. Independently from several confounding factors, deficient vitamin D levels in the first trimester of pregnancy (<30 nmol/L) predicted a worse performance in cognitive and language skills. Language performance worsened with lower vitamin D levels (<20 nmol/L). In the third trimester, this highly deficient level was also associated with lower motor skills. Vitamin D deficiency was therefore associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes. More studies are needed to determine specific recommendations with regard to vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy in order to promote an optimal course for pregnancy and optimal infant neurodevelopment.

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Correlation between human nervous system development and acquisition of fetal skills: An overview

Cited by 53 publications

References 79 publications

Fractional anisotropy from diffusion tensor imaging correlates with acute astrocyte and myelin swelling in neonatal swine models of excitotoxic and hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury

Fractional anisotropy from diffusion tensor imaging correlates with acute astrocyte and myelin swelling in neonatal swine models of excitotoxic and hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury

Intrauterine Transfer of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Mother–Infant Dyads as Analyzed at Time of Delivery

Effect of Vitamin D Status during Pregnancy on Infant Neurodevelopment: The ECLIPSES Study

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