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Advances in magnetic resonance imaging of fetal brain development
YANG Weixin  WANG Rongpin 

DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.019.


[Abstract] Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced prenatal imaging diagnostic technology. Beyond the scope of traditional anatomical examinations, it enables non-invasive assessment of in utero metabolic and functional development of the fetal brain and other organs. With the rapid advancement of magnetic resonance technology, fetal functional MRI is expected to become a powerful method for understanding fetal development and early identification of neurological abnormalities and other fetal diseases. At present, the research on fetal magnetic resonance imaging in China mainly focuses on the assessment of normal fetal nervous system development and the study of brain structure in malformed fetuses. However, there is a lack of research on the trajectory of fetal brain functional development, prediction of birth outcomes, and neurobehavioral abilities. This article mainly discusses the progress in magnetic resonance research on fetal brain venous development, metabolism, microstructure, and functional connectivity, and points out the future research directions. This review will provide new methods for evaluating the normal brain development pattern of the fetus and early detection of fetal brain development abnormalities. By observing changes in brain function and metabolic activity, abnormal metabolism and neural signals can be identified, providing a basis for early diagnosis and postnatal treatment of diseases.
[Keywords] fetal；magnetic resonance imaging；diffusion weighted imaging；diffusion tensor imaging；susceptibility weighted imaging；intravoxel incoherent motion；magnetic resonance spectroscopy；rest-state function magnetic resonance imaging

YANG Weixin1   WANG Rongpin2*  

1 Department of Radiology, Suining Central Hospital, Suining 629000, China

2 Department of Radiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang 550002, China

Corresponding author: WANG R P, E-mail: wangrongpin@126.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2025-10-16
Accepted  2025-12-09
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.019
DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.019.

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