Main description:

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the development of the human central nervous system (CNS) in the context of its many developmental disorders due to genetic, environmental, and hypoxic/ischemic causes. The introductory chapters give an overview of the development of the human brain and the spinal cord, the mechanisms of development as obtained in experimental studies of various invertebrates and vertebrates, and the causes of congenital malformations. In the main part, the developmental disorders of the human brain and the spinal cord are presented in a regional, more or less segmental way, starting with neurulation and neural tube defects, and ending with developmental disorders of the cerebral cortex. These are underlined by carefully chosen clinical case studies, including imaging data and, when available, postmortem verification of the developmental disorders involved. Numerous color photographs and illustrations complement the text.

This second edition emphasizes the prenatal diagnosis by ultrasound, MRI, and DTI and implements new classifications of developmental disorders.

Contents:

Overview of the Development of the Human Brain and Spinal Cord.- Mechanisms of Development.- Causes of Congenital Malformations.- Neurulation and Neural tube Defects.- The Neural Crest and Craniofacial Malformations.- Development and Developmental Disorders of the Spinal Cord.- Development and Developmental Disorders of the Brain Stem.- Development and Developmental Disorders of the Human Cerebellum.- Development and Developmental Disorders of the Forebrain.- Development and Developmental Disorders of the Cerebral Cortex.