Background: The fetal brain undergoes a dynamic process of development during gestation, marked by well-orchestrated events such as neuronal proliferation, migration, axonal outgrowth, and dendritic arborization, mainly elucidated through histological studies. Ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a useful tool for 3D visualization of the developing fetal brain, serving as a complementary tool to traditional histology. Summary: In this review, we summarized the commonly employed ex vivo MRI techniques and their advances in fetal brain imaging, as well as a standard protocol for postmortem fetal brain specimen collection and fixation. We then provided an overview of ex vivo MRI-based studies on the fetal brain. Key Messages: According to our review, ex vivo T1- or T2-weighted structural MRI has contributed to the characterization of the anatomy of transient neuronal proliferative zones, the basal ganglia, and the cortex. Diffusion MRI related techniques, such as diffusion tensor imaging and tractography, have helped to investigate the microstructural patterns of fetal brain tissue, as well as the early emergence and development of neuronal migration pathways and white matter bundles. Ex vivo MRI findings have shown strong histological correlations, supporting the potential of MRI in evaluating the developmental events in the fetal brain. Postmortem MRI examinations have also demonstrated comparable, and in certain cases, superior performance to traditional autopsy in revealing fetal brain abnormalities. In conclusion, ex vivo fetal brain MRI is an invaluable tool that provides unique insights into the early stages of brain development.

Ruike Chen

Chen Tian

Keqing Zhu

Guoliang Ren

Aimin Bao

Yi Shen

Xiao Li

Yaoyao Zhang

Wenying Qiu

Chao Ma

Jing Zhang

Dan Wu

Developmental Neuroscience

《DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE》是一本多学科期刊，发表论文涵盖无脊椎动物、脊椎动物和人类大脑发育的所有阶段。重点放在发表有助于我们理解正常发育机制以及异常大脑发育的遗传和环境原因的基础研究和转化研究。因此，该杂志为医生和生物学家提供了有价值的信息。为了满足读者快速增长的信息需求，该杂志将报告发育神经科学进展和进展的原创论文与简明的小型评论相结合，及时概述关键主题、新见解和正在进行的争议。 《发育神经科学》的编辑水准很高。我们致力于只发表对该领域做出重大贡献的高质量、完整的论文。

Developmental Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary journal that publishes research papers covering all stages of brain development in invertebrates, vertebrates, and humans. The journal focuses on both basic and translational research that helps us understand the genetic and environmental factors influencing normal and abnormal brain development. As such, it provides valuable information for both clinicians and biologists. To meet the growing information needs of readers, the journal combines original papers with concise mini-reviews, offering timely overviews of key topics, new insights, and ongoing controversies in the field of developmental neuroscience. The editorial standards of Developmental Neuroscience are very high, and we are committed to publishing only high-quality, comprehensive papers that make significant contributions to the field.

《Developmental Neuroscience》是一本多学科期刊，发表涵盖无脊椎动物、脊椎动物及人类大脑发育各个阶段的研究论文。期刊重点关注基础研究和转化研究，这些研究有助于我们理解正常及异常大脑发育的遗传和环境因素。因此，该期刊为医生和生物学家提供了宝贵的信息。为了满足读者日益增长的信息需求，期刊结合了原创论文和简明的小型评论，及时概述发育神经科学领域的最新进展、关键主题、新见解及正在进行的争议。《Developmental Neuroscience》的编辑水准极高，我们致力于只发表对该领域做出重大贡献的高质量、完整的论文。

Category	Quartile
医学	4
医学, 发育生物学	4
医学, 神经科学	4

Ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging of the human fetal brain

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