Developmental alterations of the prefrontal cerebral cortex in sudden unexplained perinatal and infant deaths.
J Perinat Med
; 37(3): 297-303, 2009.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19196205
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental patterns of the human prefrontal cortex involved in breathing control in a wide cohort of fetal and infant death victims, aged from the 22(nd) gestational week to 10 months of life, and to evaluate whether morpho-functional disorders are present in this specific cortical area in victims of sudden unexplained death. A further aim was to determine whether prenatal absorption of nicotine could also affect the maturational processes of the prefrontal cortex. A pronounced radial organization of the cerebral wall was evident from the 26(th) gestational week. By 36 gestational weeks this columnar structure disappeared, coinciding with the formation of a laminar cyto-architecture. The mature cortex, observable from the 4(th) month of life, was organized horizontally into six laminae. In 33% of the sudden death victims the prefrontal cortex showed morphological alterations with anomalous laminar patterns and delayed neuronal maturation. A significant correlation with prenatal cigarette exposure was found.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Morte Súbita do Lactente
/
Córtex Pré-Frontal
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Desenvolvimento Fetal
/
Morte Fetal
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália