Monday, Aug 7, 2006
Frequent Ultrasounds May Cause Brain Abnormalities in Fetus
|
|
A new study conducted at the Yale School of Medicine showed that the frequent use of ultrasound on pregnant mice affects embryonic mouse brain development, causing brain abnormalities in the developing mouse fetus.
A new study conducted at the Yale School of Medicine showed that the frequent use of ultrasound on pregnant mice affects embryonic mouse brain development, causing brain abnormalities in the developing mouse fetus.
"Proper migration of neurons during development is essential for normal development of the cerebral cortex and its function," said Pasko Rakic, M.D., chair of the Department of Neurobiology and senior author of the study.
"We have observed that a small but significant number of neurons in the mouse embryonic brain do not migrate to their proper positions in the cerebral cortex following prolonged and frequent exposure to ultrasound", he added.
Neurons in mammals multiply early in fetal development and then migrate to their final destinations following an inside-to-outside sequence. The destination defines the neurons' connectivity and function.
Though the findings of the research showed that prolonged and frequent use of ultrasound on pregnant mice may be harmful for the fetus, the researchers have said that they need to study further to reach a definite conclusion on whether the same is applicable on humans.
"These findings suggested the desirability of further work in this area. We do not have any evidence ourselves that USW cause behavioral effects in mice or have any effect on the developing human brain", Rakic said.
"I want to emphasize that our study in mice does not mean that use of ultrasound on human fetuses for appropriate diagnostic and medical purposes should be abandoned. On the contrary: ultrasound has been shown to be very beneficial in the medical context. Instead, our study warns against its non-medical use", he added. (ANI)
News Copyright © South Asian Women's Forum. May not be reproduced without explicit written permission
 View and Post comment on this article
|
