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Review
. 2022 Apr:54:101083.
doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2022.101083. Epub 2022 Feb 7.

An ode to fetal, infant, and toddler neuroimaging: Chronicling early clinical to research applications with MRI, and an introduction to an academic society connecting the field

Angeliki Pollatou  1 , Courtney A Filippi  2 , Ezra Aydin  3 , Kelly Vaughn  4 , Deanne Thompson  5 , Marta Korom  6 , Alexander J Dufford  7 , Brittany Howell  8 , Lilla Zöllei  9 , Adriana Di Martino  10 , Alice Graham  11 ; FIT’NG Group; Dustin Scheinost  12 , Marisa N Spann  13
Affiliations
Review

An ode to fetal, infant, and toddler neuroimaging: Chronicling early clinical to research applications with MRI, and an introduction to an academic society connecting the field

Angeliki Pollatou et al. Dev Cogn Neurosci. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Fetal, infant, and toddler neuroimaging is commonly thought of as a development of modern times (last two decades). Yet, this field mobilized shortly after the discovery and implementation of MRI technology. Here, we provide a review of the parallel advancements in the fields of fetal, infant, and toddler neuroimaging, noting the shifts from clinical to research use, and the ongoing challenges in this fast-growing field. We chronicle the pioneering science of fetal, infant, and toddler neuroimaging, highlighting the early studies that set the stage for modern advances in imaging during this developmental period, and the large-scale multi-site efforts which ultimately led to the explosion of interest in the field today. Lastly, we consider the growing pains of the community and the need for an academic society that bridges expertise in developmental neuroscience, clinical science, as well as computational and biomedical engineering, to ensure special consideration of the vulnerable mother-offspring dyad (especially during pregnancy), data quality, and image processing tools that are created, rather than adapted, for the young brain.

Keywords: Brain development; FIT’NG; FMRI; Fetal neuroimaging; Infant neuroimaging; Longitudinal studies; MRI.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Timeline of key events in the history of fetal, infant and toddler MRI imaging.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
FIT’NG aims to provide a forum for early childhood neuroimaging researchers, including those who have technical expertize (e.g., engineers, physicists) and applied researchers (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists, neonatologists).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Scientific events and activities organized by FIT’NG.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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