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Non-invasive detection and identification of brain activity patterns in the developing fetus

Hari Eswaran, Naim I Haddad, Bashir S Shihabuddin, Hubert Preissl, Eric R Siegel, Pam Murphy, and Curtis L Lowery

Clin Neurophysiol 118(9):7 (2007) PMID 17638586

Objective: Utilizing a MEG-based device specifically designed to study the fetus, we investigated the presence of salient patterns in spontaneous fetal brain activity. Methods: We performed 91 MEG recordings from 30 fetuses at various gestational ages. The tracings were evaluated and compared to the well-established electroencephalographic (EEG) features in premature infants. Also, we looked at the correlation of the gestational age (GA) on the occurrence of these patterns and complexes. Results: We were able to identify specific patterns and track changes in fetal brain activity starting at 28weeks of gestation. The patterns and trends were similar to the established EEG features in premature infants at comparable ages. Of the 30 fetuses, 18 (60%) had at least one recording with discontinuity, 7 (23%) had sharp transients, and 8 (27%) had delta brush activity. Further there was a decrease in the presence of discontinuous patterns after 35weeks. Conclusions: We have shown that fetal spontaneous brain activity features can be recorded and identified using MEG technique. The observation of more discontinuity at early gestational ages is consistent with the overall pattern of maturation seen in EEGs of premature infants. Significance: With refinements, this method can aid in understanding the maturation process of fetal brain activity and further develop as a tool for fetal neurological evaluation.

Copyright © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Referenced by 1 articles

DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2007.05.072
Version: za2963e q8za5 q8zbe q8zc9 q8zd8 q8ze9 q8zfc q8zgf

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