Heterotopia or neuronal heterotopia are macroscopic clusters of misplaced neurons (gray matter), most often situated along the ventricular walls or within the subcortical white matter. [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22427329 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5208-3432 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7524438 http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q90573458 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25180909 ]
Synonyms: Heterotopias Grey matter heterotopia Neuronal heterotopia Gray matter heterotopias Heterotopia Grey matter heterotopias
Term information
- SNOMEDCT_US:417338002
- SNOMEDCT_US:416286003
- UMLS:C0008519
- SNOMEDCT_US:128490007
Gray matter heterotopia is caused by clumps of gray matter being located in the wrong part of the brain. It is characterized as a type of cortical malformation. The neurons in heterotopia may appear to be normal, except for their mislocation; nuclear studies have shown glucose metabolism equal to that of normally positioned gray matter. The condition causes a variety of symptoms, but usually includes some degree of epilepsy or recurring seizures, and often affects the brain's ability to function on higher levels. Symptoms range from nonexistent to profound, in which case heterotopia can result in severe seizure disorder, loss of motor skills, and mental retardation. Neuronal heterotopia consists of gray matter within the white matter, and the term gray matter heterotopia is more frequently used.
Term relations
- has part some (
mislocalised and
characteristic of some neural cell and
has modifier some abnormal)