Advances in Etiology of Neural Tube Defects

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of complex congenital defects of the CNS, commonly including anencephaly, spina bifida and encephaloceles which arise from the malformations of neural tube closure during the process of neurulation. Both environmental and genetic factors are involved in the etiology of NTDs, and many of them have been identified as risk factors of neural tube defects. Despite exhaustive research efforts, little is known about the actual genetic mechanisms governing the primary events involved in neural tube defects. We will review these factors in details. Key words: Neural tube defects;  Etiology;  Gene abnormality;  Environmental factors