{"title":"Developmental anatomy of thalamus and impact of perinatal lesions","authors":"","doi":"10.1111/dmcn.16013","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>With music as a metaphor for consciousness, the thalamus has been called ‘the conductor’ of the orchestra in the brain, and the network activities of the cerebral cortex as the musicians. Detailed description of the impact of neonatal focal thalamic injury on neurodevelopment is still lacking. This paper aims to understand that relationship better, envisaging neuroprotection based on thalamocortical plasticity, the ability of the brain to reorganize itself by forming new neuronal connections. Neuroprotection refers to therapies used to defend the central nervous system against injury due to neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. trauma, epilepsy, etc.). We gathered information from a search and cross-referencing of the scientific literature, personal observations, and detailed study of neuroimaging.</p><p>In newborn infants, the thalamus already contributes to visual, auditory, and pain processing, and to arousal and sleep. Isolated thalamic lesions may present with clinical seizures. Cranial ultrasound can then be used to classify neonatal thalamic injuries. Asphyxia, stroke, infection, and network injury are all common. Experimental work suggests that adaptation to injury, so-called plasticity, in thalamocortical interaction may differ before and after 30 weeks postmenstrual age in newborn infants. It is very likely that plasticity may not provide complete repair given the timing and extent of damage.</p><p>The long-term effects of many focal lesions in the thalamus are still unknown. Given early nuclear organization and thalamocortical maturation before 30 weeks postmenstrual age, the effect of even small lesions is most likely underestimated. On the other hand, very little is known about possible adaptive capabilities of the neonatal thalamus. Cranial ultrasound at least offers the ability to locate lesions in the major regions of the thalamus and to compare ultrasound patterns with causal mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":50587,"journal":{"name":"Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8000,"publicationDate":"2024-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/dmcn.16013","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dmcn.16013","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CLINICAL NEUROLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
With music as a metaphor for consciousness, the thalamus has been called ‘the conductor’ of the orchestra in the brain, and the network activities of the cerebral cortex as the musicians. Detailed description of the impact of neonatal focal thalamic injury on neurodevelopment is still lacking. This paper aims to understand that relationship better, envisaging neuroprotection based on thalamocortical plasticity, the ability of the brain to reorganize itself by forming new neuronal connections. Neuroprotection refers to therapies used to defend the central nervous system against injury due to neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. trauma, epilepsy, etc.). We gathered information from a search and cross-referencing of the scientific literature, personal observations, and detailed study of neuroimaging.
In newborn infants, the thalamus already contributes to visual, auditory, and pain processing, and to arousal and sleep. Isolated thalamic lesions may present with clinical seizures. Cranial ultrasound can then be used to classify neonatal thalamic injuries. Asphyxia, stroke, infection, and network injury are all common. Experimental work suggests that adaptation to injury, so-called plasticity, in thalamocortical interaction may differ before and after 30 weeks postmenstrual age in newborn infants. It is very likely that plasticity may not provide complete repair given the timing and extent of damage.
The long-term effects of many focal lesions in the thalamus are still unknown. Given early nuclear organization and thalamocortical maturation before 30 weeks postmenstrual age, the effect of even small lesions is most likely underestimated. On the other hand, very little is known about possible adaptive capabilities of the neonatal thalamus. Cranial ultrasound at least offers the ability to locate lesions in the major regions of the thalamus and to compare ultrasound patterns with causal mechanisms.
期刊介绍:
Wiley-Blackwell is pleased to publish Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (DMCN), a Mac Keith Press publication and official journal of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) and the British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA).
For over 50 years, DMCN has defined the field of paediatric neurology and neurodisability and is one of the world’s leading journals in the whole field of paediatrics. DMCN disseminates a range of information worldwide to improve the lives of disabled children and their families. The high quality of published articles is maintained by expert review, including independent statistical assessment, before acceptance.