title: Fetal brain activity in response to a visual stimulus.
abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess fetal brain activity. To extend these studies, a fetal fMRI experiment using a visual stimulus has been performed at 0.5 T. This used a block fMRI paradigm with a bright, constant-intensity light source being shone at the maternal abdomen for 8 sec followed by 16 sec of darkness. This was repeated typically 40 times on nine subjects all of whom were greater than 36 weeks gestational age. Of these, one could not be analysed due to motion, three did not show significant activation, and five showed significant activation (P < 0.0085). In all cases, activation was localised within the frontal cortex. Exact localisation was difficult but this may correspond to the frontal eye fields and dorsolateral prefontal cortex. In no cases was significant activation present within the occipital region as would have been expected and was observed in 2/8 adult subjects. Hum. Brain Mapping 20:239-245, 2003.
authors.affiliation: Magnetic Resonance Centre, University Hospital, Nottingham, University of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fulford
authors.forename: Shantala H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Vadeyar
authors.forename: Senani H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Dodampahala
authors.forename: Rachel J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Philip N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Penny A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gowland
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000196:embryology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third