Fetal brain damage is a common contributing cause of preventable death and adverse neurological outcome (e.g., cerebral palsy) all over the world. At present, there is no device (invasive or non-invasive) in the market to measure fetal brain electrical activity. In this project, we, therefore, will first examine the patterns of fetal brain waves in pregnant animal model (mice) and then investigate a new method for non-invasive measurement of human fetal brain development (32-week gestation till birth) by abdominal surface electrical signal with inexpensive gel electrodes, comparing with fetal fMRI images of fetal brain and direct lead scalp electroencephagram during labor. The industry partner’s cash contributions for three years can ultimately be incorporated into their existing monitoring device with clear potential for commercialization. The outcomes of this project would make fundamental, as well as translational research outputs for fetal neurological screening and its potential to reduce fetal deaths.
