About this Research Topic

Background

Over the past 5-10 years, there has been rapid development in the use of MRI techniques to image the fetal brain, heart, cardiovascular system, and placenta during pregnancy. However, these advancements have primarily been driven by individual centers around the world, resulting in significant variations in infrastructure requirements, acquisition protocols, and post-processing methods. As international interest in this evolving field continues to grow, it is crucial to advance technical understanding, improve dissemination, and discuss the appropriate use of these new imaging methods.

The objective of this research topic is to establish a shared vision for the future of fetal MRI, specifically focusing on imaging the fetal brain, heart, and placenta. Additionally, it aims to explore the necessary steps for the integration of these imaging techniques into clinical practice. Key areas of emphasis include compensation for fetal bulk motion and heart motion, the development of novel 3D reconstruction methods for anatomical imaging of the fetal brain, heart, and placenta, and the exploration of innovative methods such as fetal 4D flow, T2 mapping for estimating oxygen delivery, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the fetal brain and placenta. From a clinical perspective, this research topic will address issues regarding prenatal brain growth and development in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction or congenital heart diseases. It will also cover broader topics related to the practical implementation of these methods and their potential benefits in clinical practice.

Several gaps in the field have been identified and will be addressed within this research topic:
1- Fetal MRI currently faces a major challenge in dealing with fetal bulk motion. Currently, multiple 2D images are acquired in three orthogonal stacks to minimize the impact of fetal bulk motion. Offline reconstruction of a high-resolution 3D image is then performed using super-resolution algorithms. However, the field lacks a fast, real-time 3D dataset reconstruction method that can be applied during the scanning process.
2- The clinical utility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for imaging the fetal brain and placenta is limited due to fetal bulk motion. Presently, there is no effective super-resolution technique available for producing high-resolution 3D DTI images. The development of such a technique would be valuable in creating a normative atlas for fetal brain and placenta function and fiber orientation across different gestational ages.
3- Fetal cardiac MRI poses challenges due to both fetal heart motion and bulk motion. Real-time acquisition techniques are needed to freeze fetal motion, or alternatively, novel algorithms must be developed to detect the fetal heart rate and enable gating for fetal heart motion.
4- There is currently a lack of established normative ranges for fetal heart size and function across different gestational ages. This poses difficulties in accurately assessing and diagnosing fetal cardiac conditions.

Articles within this research topic can cover a wide range of subjects, including but not limited to:
• Development of novel motion correction techniques for fetal MRI.
• Advancement of fast image acquisition and 3D image reconstruction methods for fetal MRI.
• Exploration of novel pulse-sequence designs, real-time acquisitions, and data analysis strategies for fetal MRI.
• Progress in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the fetal brain and placenta, including innovations in acquisition and processing, tractography, connectivity, and microstructure analysis.
• Description of the future direction of fetal MRI for brain, heart, and placenta imaging.
• Investigation into the anatomical and physiological properties of the fetal brain, heart, and placenta, and understanding their changes and interactions throughout gestation.
• Comparison of heart and brain structures and function between normal fetuses and those with intrauterine growth restriction or congenital heart disease.
• Comprehensive review of current techniques for non-invasively monitoring fetal brain, heart, and placenta physiology and function.
• Identification of MRI-based biomarkers associated with fetal brain, heart, and placenta morphology and function.
• Explanation of the safety considerations involved in performing fetal MRI scans.

Keywords: Fetal Cardiac MRI, Fetal Brain MRI, Fetal Placental MRI, Fast Acquisition Techniques for Fetal MRI, Fast Reconstruction Techniques for Fetal MRI, Motion Correction for Fetal MRI

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Frequently asked questions

• What is a Research Topic?

  Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

  Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

• Why does Frontiers publish Research Topics? 

  The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

  Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

• Why are Research Topics important for journals?

  As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

  A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

• How do we ensure the quality of articles within Research Topics?

  Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and they fall under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

    In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

• What are the benefits of publishing my article in a Research Topic?

  Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

  As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

  Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

   
• What types of articles can be published in a Research Topic?

  Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

  Check available article types here 

• Can I suggest a new Research Topic? 

  Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

  Suggest your topic here 

• Who leads a Research Topic? 

  A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

  The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

• What is the role of a topic editor?

  As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

   

  You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

• What support will I receive when editing a new Research Topic? 

  As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

• As a junior researcher, can I be involved in editing a Research Topic? 

  If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

• Can I get a certificate for editing a Research Topic?

  Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

• Who will I collaborate with?

  Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

• How long does it take to publish a Research Topic?

  As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

  Find out more about our Research Topics

• What fee support is available to authors publishing in a Research Topic?

  Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

  Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

• Will there be a printed version of my RT?

  In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.