Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41975739›Full record

ReviewDiagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Potential Benefits of Ultra-High Field MRI for Embryonic and Fetal Brain Investigation: A Comprehensive Review.

Dan Boitor, Mihaela Oancea, Alexandru Farcasanu, Simion Simon, Daniel Muresan, Ioana Cristina Rotar, Georgiana Irina Nemeti, Iulian Goidescu, Adelina Staicu, Mihai Surcel

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Dan BoitorDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 40012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Mihaela OanceaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 40012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Alexandru FarcasanuINSPIRE Platform, Babes-Bolyai University, 40028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.ORCID 0009-0001-9533-6388
Simion SimonINSPIRE Platform, Babes-Bolyai University, 40028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Daniel MuresanDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 40012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Ioana Cristina RotarDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 40012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.ORCID 0000-0002-7700-2384
Georgiana Irina NemetiDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 40012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Iulian GoidescuDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 40012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Adelina StaicuDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 40012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Mihai SurcelDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 40012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Funding

Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy 32154/24/16.12.2024
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Ultra-high-field (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging, defined as imaging at field strengths of 7 Tesla (7T) and above, represents a frontier technology in neuroimaging with emerging applications in prenatal brain research. This narrative review examines the current evidence on the potential benefits of UHF-MRI for investigating embryonic and fetal brain development. Through analysis of 97 studies identified across multiple databases, we find that UHF-MRI offers substantial advantages in spatial resolution, tissue contrast, and anatomical detail compared to conventional clinical field strengths (1.5T and 3T). The primary applications to date have been in ex vivo imaging of post-mortem fetal specimens and preclinical animal models, where UHF-MRI has enabled unprecedented visualization of laminar cortical organization, early sulcation patterns, microstructural development, and subtle anatomical features critical for understanding normal and abnormal neurodevelopment. Key benefits include enhanced delineation of transient developmental zones, improved characterization of cortical folding, superior detection of subtle malformations, and the ability to create high-resolution three-dimensional atlases of fetal brain development. However, significant technical and safety challenges currently limit in utero human applications, including concerns about specific absorption rate, acoustic noise, and fetal motion artifacts. This review identifies critical knowledge gaps and future directions for translating UHF-MRI technology to clinical prenatal diagnostics.

Indexed as

brain developmentembryonic brainfetal brainultra-high-field MRI

Identifiers

PMID41975739
PMCPMC13072829

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.