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EMBRYONIC NEUROPATHY A HYPOTHESIS OF NEURAL CREST INJURY AS THE PATHOGENESIS OF CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS
Author(s) -
McCredie Janet
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1974.tb50781.x
Subject(s) - neural crest , pathological , medicine , congenital malformations , pathogenesis , mechanism (biology) , embryonic stem cell , neuroscience , embryo , anatomy , pathology , biology , pregnancy , genetics , gene , philosophy , epistemology
Radiological analysis of the limb deformities of thalidomide children reveals evidence of a sensory neuropathic process. Based on this, a hypothesis of neural crest injury is suggested as the underlying pathogenetic mechanism of many congenital malformations. Using a simple concept of four different modes of growth in the embryo, the hypothesis appears to explain both skeletal and visceral deformities. Experimental and pathological evidence is presented in its support, and a rational approach to congenital defect syndromes is suggested.