Publication at First Faculty of Medicine |
2016
Abstract
Perinatal distress (malnutrition, hypoxia etc.) has many clinical effects and it is well characterized in experimental animal models. Among the principal effects in the brain belongs the selective loss of neurons in integrative circuits of the cerebral cortex, reduction of dendritic branches and synapses or myelin impairment.
Such structural changes have serious functional consequences, including impairment of cognitive functions. Development of an individual in such conditions does not always mean an impairment, harm or impoverishment of the resulting phenotype.
It can represent formation of an "alternative phenotype" which enables optimal adjustment to given conditions and it can have better prospects for the survival.