Malformations of Cortical Development

Malformations of cortical development (MCDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders that result from abnormal development of the cerebral cortex in utero. MCDs can be associated with lifelong drug-resistant epilepsy, cerebral palsy, feeding difficulties, intellectual disability and other neurological and behavioral anomalies, which place a substantial burden on affected individuals and their families. MCDs can result from geneticor acquired factors that disrupt cell proliferation and specification, neuronal migration, and cortical organization. The diagnostic pathway for MCDs is complex owing to wide variations in presentation and etiology, thereby hampering timely and adequate management.