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Central Nervous System Abnormalities. Chelsea A. Iennarella ANS 536 – perinatology Spring 2014. Overview:. Lecture 03/24/2014: Prenatal CNS Development Post-Natal CNS Development Male vs. Female Brain. Congenital CNS Abnormalities Epigenetic Changes
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Central Nervous System Abnormalities Chelsea A. Iennarella ANS 536 – perinatology Spring 2014
Overview: Lecture 03/24/2014: Prenatal CNS Development Post-Natal CNS Development Male vs. Female Brain Congenital CNS Abnormalities Epigenetic Changes Species Differences in CNS Development and Physiology ANS 536 - Perinatology - CNS Development
Congenital CNS Abnormalities Defects in cortical development
Normal Cortical Development: • Proliferative neuroepithelium forms a thick layer surrounding the ventricles in developing brain. • neural stem cells and neural progenitor cells • neurons and glial cells formed migrate to the cortex • Cortical Development Defects • abnormal neuronal-glial proliferation • abnormal neuronal migration • abnormal cortical organization
Abnormal Neuronal-Glial Proliferation: Microcephaly: • Defined as an abnormally small head circumference. • diagnosed at birth or during childhood • Can result from over 450 disorders. • Down Syndrome • Autosomal microcephaly (dominant or recessive) • X-linked microcephaly
Abnormal Neuronal Migration: Lissencephaly: • Defined as a lack of gyri and sulci. • diagnosed at birth or soon after • Can result from many different environmental and/or genetic causes. • uterine viral infection • insufficient uterine blood supply • gene mutations
Abnormal Cortical Organization: Polymicrogyria: • Defined as an excessive number of undersized gyri. • diagnosed at birth or during childhood • Several contributing factors but exact cause is poorly understood.
Congenital CNS Abnormalities Neural tube defects
Neural Tube Defects: Neural tube fuses 18-26 days after ovulation. One of the most common congenital abnormalities. Complex interaction between genetics and environment.
Risk Factors for NTDs: Genetic Factors: • Family history of specific NTD. • Mutations in enzymes involved in 1-carbon metabolism. Environmental Factors: • Maternal dietary folate deficiency. • Maternal induced folate deficiency. • sodium valproate • folate antagonists
Folate & NTDs: • Folate and B12 important in reducing occurrence. • Required for production/maintenance of new cells. • DNA synthesis – thymidine synthesis • Generation of CH3 groups; gene silencing and PTM
S G U T TS Schalinske 2014
Types of NTDs: Open NTDs: Closed NTDs: brain and/or spinal cord are exposed at birth anencephaly encephalocele spina bifida spinal defect is covered by skin at birth lipomyelomeningocele lipomeningocele tethered cord
Anencephaly: Occurs when rostral neuropore fails to close. brain lacks all or part of the cerebrum parts of brain not covered by skin or bone
Encephalocele: Occurs when rostral neuropore fails to close. sac-like protrusion or projection of the brain and covering membranes through an opening in the skull
Spina Bifida: Occurs when caudal neuropore fails to close. backbone that protects the spinal cord does not form and close 3 sub-classifications
Closed NTDs: lipomyelomeningocele: • lipoma covering the site of a myelomeningocele lipomeningocele: • lipoma covering the site of a meningocele tethered cord: • spinal cord is held taught at one end, unable to move freely as it should; results in stretching of spinal cord as child grows
Screening for NTDs: • Performed between 16-18 weeks of gestation • range 15-33 weeks of gestation • Measures maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations • Produced in liver fetus; leaks into amniotic fluid and ultimately gets into maternal blood
Screening for Other CNS Abnormalities: Amniocentesis: • Performed between 16-22 weeks of gestation • sample of amniotic fluid is obtained and submitted for testing Chorionic Villus Sampling: • Performed between 10-12 weeks of gestation • Sample of the chorionic villi (placental tissue) taken and submitted for testing
Amniocentesis & Chorionic Villus Sampling: Amniocentesis Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZoswKIa4ic Chorionic Villus Sampling Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxEf_ddmpZk
Epigenetics: Epigenetics: external modifications to DNA/RNA that regulate gene expression. Epigenetic Mechanisms: • DNA methylation • Modification of histone N-terminus • non-coding RNAs
DNA methylation: CH3 groups bind to CpG regions in the promoter region of genes to block transcription Results in silencing of that gene
Histone Modification: Addition of function groups to the N-terminus of histones results in a change in chromatin conformation. Acetylation Methylation Biotinylation Condensed ↔ Relaxed
Non-Coding RNAs: microRNAs: large non-coding RNAs: Hybridize with mRNA to block translation. Hybridize with DNA template to block transcription.
Epigenetics & the CNS: • Earliest stages of CNS development are most susceptible to epigenetic modification. • Effects may be evident at birth or may not occur until later stages of adulthood Epigenetic influences on brain development and plasticity. (Fagiolini et al.)
Precocial vs. Altricial Young: Precocial young: animals that are capable of a high degree of independent activity from birth • cattle, guinea pig, sheep Altricial young: young that are hatched or born in a very immature and helpless condition so as to require care for some time • cats, dogs, humans
Overview: Congenital CNS abnormalities can result from NTDs of issues in cortical development. Epigenetic Changes can have profound and lasting effects on CNS. CNS development and physiology varies between species.
Questions: ANS 536 - Perinatology - CNS Development