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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
06:19
A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis
Published on: January 7, 2018
[Intrauterine growth restriction: impact on brain development and function].
S V Sizonenko1, C Borradori-Tolsa, P S Hüppi
1Service du développement et de la croissance, Département de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, HUG, Genève. stephane.sizonenko@medecine.unige.ch
Revue Medicale Suisse
|April 12, 2008
Summary
Early life environmental exposures can program fetal development, leading to intrauterine growth retardation and later-life health issues. Advanced imaging reveals central nervous system changes in these infants, potentially linked to adult neuropsychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Neuroscience
- Medical imaging
Context:
- The developing organism adapts to its environment through short and long-term adjustments.
- These adaptive changes, termed "programming," can initially cause intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and have later-life consequences.
- Adverse environmental exposures during development can significantly impact an organism's trajectory.
Purpose:
- To review modifications in central nervous system (CNS) development and function following adverse environmental exposure.
- To highlight how advanced imaging techniques can study these in vivo.
- To correlate CNS changes in IUGR with neurodevelopmental outcomes and potential adult neuropsychiatric disorders.
Summary:
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is linked to adaptive "programming" in response to environmental factors.
- Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in IUGR infants shows central nervous system (CNS) developmental changes.
- These CNS alterations correlate with neurodevelopmental issues and may predispose individuals to adult neuropsychiatric disorders.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the long-term neurodevelopmental consequences of early life adversity.
- Demonstrates the utility of advanced in vivo imaging in studying developmental programming.
- Suggests potential targets for early intervention to mitigate risks of adult neuropsychiatric conditions.
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