Fetal Brain Activity

The long term aim of this work is to understand fetal brain development and to investigate how the development of the brain can be affected by complications during pregnancy.

fMRI is being used to detect brain activity in response to stimuli in the unborn child. Currently the studies are being performed on healthy patients. Once the most reliable method has been discovered, we will extend the research to pregnancies that are compromised in some way.

A variety of stimuli, scanning methods and data analysis methods have been used. The main equipment used is a 0.5 T whole-body scanner, which is a low field strength compared to that used in most fMRI studies. Sound, light and vibration have all been used to stimulate the fetuses. Particular consideration is being paid to how the stimuli can be delivered in a controlled and repeatable fashion. For example the sound detected by the fetus may depend upon its position. Probably the biggest challenge in this project is fetal motion during scanning. Data analysis techniques are being developed to take into account the movement of the fetus and mother. In addition, studies are performed late in pregnancy, when the head is engaged resulting in less movement of the child's head.

In general we detect activation in about 50% of fetuses scanned. When we do detect it, the percentage changes are rather large compared to what might be expected at 0.5T. When we do not detect it, we usually have very little of the scan period unaffected by motion.

Statistical parametric maps (0709), over-layed on the original multi-slice scans. The data was then resampled to create these transaxial scans through the fetus, on which the regions in which fMRI had been performed is bounded by a black line on each image. Note that activation can also be seen in the sagittal sinus, and this is a common observation in fMRI.

Time course of signal changes averaged to one on/off cycle of stimulation.

This project is a collaboration between the Schools of Physics and Astronomy and Human Development.

This work was funded by Tommys Campaign.