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Aerodigestive and communicative behaviors in anencephalic and hydranencephalic infants

Kate Radford1, Ryan C Taylor2, Judith G Hall3

  • 1Departments of Linguistics and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Birth Defects Research
|December 12, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Anencephaly and hydranencephaly patients exhibit aerodigestive and communicative behaviors linked to brain structures. Further research is needed to correlate specific neural components with these complex behaviors.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Clinical Neurology

Background:

  • Anencephaly and hydranencephaly are severe congenital brain malformations.
  • Understanding the neural basis of behavior in these conditions is crucial for patient care and scientific knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess aerodigestive and communicative behaviors in anencephalic and hydranencephalic patients.
  • To compare observed behaviors with documented neural structures in the brainstem, subcortical, and cortical regions.
  • To identify gaps in current literature regarding behavior-pathology correlations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and analysis of existing case studies.
  • Comparison of reported patient behaviors with neuroanatomical data.
  • Synthesis of findings from neurological studies on central pattern generators.

Main Results:

  • Observed behaviors in anencephalic and hydranencephalic patients show some correlation with brainstem and subcortical structures.
  • Existing literature often lacks detailed pairing of specific behaviors with precise neuropathology.
  • A low reporting rate of behavior in conjunction with pathology was noted.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is required to elucidate the specific neural components supporting aerodigestive and communicative functions.
  • Increased documentation linking patient behavior and neuropathology is recommended.
  • Clinical practices should be enhanced to improve data collection for this patient population.

Keywords:
CPGanencephalycentral pattern generatorhydranencephalyneural tube defectsoromotor

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