#fetal brain development

[neurosciencenews]

Detecting Brain Damage Caused by Zika In Utero With Imaging Techniques

Clinicians managing Zika-affected pregnancies should use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to standard ultrasound (US) because the more detailed MRI images can reveal more extensive areas of damage to the developing fetal brain.

[tattooed-alchemist]

UW study looking at how marijuana impacts infants' brain development

The “Moms + Marijuana” study is looking at whether prenatal marijuana use impacts infants’ brain development, outside of the influence of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

The study is looking at whether prenatal marijuana use impacts infants’ brain development, outside of the influence of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Called the “Moms + Marijuana” study, the pregnant women will have their marijuana use tracked from the first trimester and until six months in to see if their infants’ brain are altered in any way.

“The very few investigations that have studied prenatal cannabis exposure and infant brain development have all involved women who are polysubstance drug users. No one has looked at marijuana use exclusively,” UW radiologist Dr. Natalia Kleinhans said. “This study will also involve periodic drug testing during pregnancy to verify in real time that moms aren’t using other drugs, rather than relying on the mother’s self-report after the child is born.”

Many of the studies that have focused on prenatal cannabis exposure have tended to involve women who were using multiple drugs, whereas this one will isolate the impact of marijuana use exclusively, in this case in subjects who use it at least twice a week and primarily to mitigate morning sickness. They’ll be compared against a control group of pregnant women who will not use any marijuana, alcohol, or tobacco.

[whatshappeningtothekids]

 Every day in the womb boosts babies' brain development

Carrying a baby as close to full term as possible is better for the baby's brain development, a new study suggests.                                

"What this study shows us is that every day and every week of in utero development is critical," said study senior author Catherine Limperopoulos. She directs the Developing Brain Research Laboratory at Children's National Health System in Washington, D.C.

"If at all possible, we need to keep fetuses in utero to protect them from the hazards that can occur in the extra uterine environment," she said in a hospital system news release.

The researchers said that during the third trimester of pregnancy, the fetal brain grows exponentially. The brain increases fourfold in size during this time, the researchers added.

[sallygcronin]

Smorgasbord Health - How the brain develops from conception through life.

Smorgasbord Health – How the brain develops from conception through life.

How the brain develops. We are hard wired and from the moment of conception there will be enforced changes to the structure and function of our brains. Whilst the process of development is beyond our control, there is still a powerful external influence on how well that programming is carried out. Before birth the health, nutrition, environment and lifestyle choices of the mother can impact both…

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