Disruptive lesions can cause developmental anomalies in the fetal brain: Mini-review

Abstract

The development of the fetal central nervous system (CNS) is a complex process influenced by genetic, environmental, and physiological factors. The absence of identifiable genetic variants and low risk of recurrence in families with certain brain malformations has led to the hypothesis that disruptive events may play a critical role in the development of brain malformations. These events include disruption of blood flow, ischemia, hemorrhage, placental insufficiency, prenatal drug exposure (e.g cocaine), and infections (e.g CMV). Likely disruptive anomalies include polymicrogyria (PMG), cerebellar hypoplasia, septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), absent septum pellucidum, and Dandy-Walker malformation (DWM). The timing of these disruptions is expected to reflect the stages of fetal brain development. Understanding the mechanisms behind disruptive-developmental anomalies of the fetal CNS is crucial for improving prenatal screening, counseling strategies, and potential interventions.

Keywords: Central nervous system; Cortical malformations; Developmental disorders; Disruptive lesions; Fetus; Vasculopathy.