Dr. Laura Flores-Sarnat

1. Neuroembryology, genetics and clinical expression of brain malformations.

2. Embryology and genetics of neural crest and neurocutaneous syndromes especially those associated with overgrowth due to mutations in PIK3CA, known as PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum.

3. Early detection of neurocristopathies as nervous system and other organ anomalies.

4. Synaptogenesis in normal and abnormal human brain

5. Etiology and clinical expression of epilepsy in children

6. Fetal and neonatal neurology including ventriculomegaly as a prominent biomarker.

I am interested in child neurology, beginning in fetal life, the earliest period when a neurological condition can be detected to permit planning of care and management even before birth. Fetal MRI and ultrasound enable the prenatal diagnosis of brain malformations that cause many neurological handicaps. I also would like to incorporate aspects of prevention and identification of risk factors in pregnancy for nervous system anomalies. Correlation of neuroimaging with postmortem neuropathological findings enhances an understanding of the nature and pathogenesis of developmental disorders in the fetus, infants and children. Another strong interest of mine is neurocutaneous syndromes that can be detected prenatally.