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Diffusion-tensor MR imaging of gray and white matter development during normal human brain maturation.
- Source :
-
AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology [AJNR Am J Neuroradiol] 2002 Oct; Vol. 23 (9), pp. 1445-56. - Publication Year :
- 2002
-
Abstract
- Background and Purpose: Conventional MR imaging findings of human brain development are thought to result from decreasing water content, increasing macromolecular concentration, and myelination. We use diffusion-tensor MR imaging to test theoretical models that incorporate hypotheses regarding how these maturational processes influence water diffusion in developing gray and white matter.<br />Methods: Experimental data were derived from diffusion-tensor imaging of 167 participants, ages 31 gestational weeks to 11 postnatal years. An isotropic diffusion model was applied to the gray matter of the basal ganglia and thalamus. A model that assumes changes in the magnitude of diffusion while maintaining cylindrically symmetric anisotropy was applied to the white matter of the corpus callosum and internal capsule. Deviations of the diffusion tensor from the ideal model predictions, due to measurement noise, were estimated by using Monte Carlo simulations.<br />Results: Developing gray matter of the basal ganglia and developing white matter of the internal capsule and corpus callosum largely conformed to theory, with only small departures from model predictions in older children. However, data from the thalamus substantially diverged from predicted values, with progressively larger deviations from the model with increasing participant age.<br />Conclusion: Changes in water diffusion during maturation of central gray and white matter structures can largely be explained by theoretical models incorporating simple assumptions regarding the influence of brain water content and myelination, although deviations from theory increase as the brain matures. Diffusion-tensor MR imaging is a powerful method for studying the process of brain development, with both scientific and clinical applications.
- Subjects :
- Basal Ganglia anatomy & histology
Basal Ganglia growth & development
Basal Ganglia metabolism
Body Water metabolism
Brain growth & development
Brain metabolism
Child
Child, Preschool
Computer Simulation
Corpus Callosum anatomy & histology
Corpus Callosum growth & development
Corpus Callosum metabolism
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Internal Capsule anatomy & histology
Internal Capsule growth & development
Internal Capsule metabolism
Thalamus anatomy & histology
Thalamus growth & development
Thalamus metabolism
Brain anatomy & histology
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0195-6108
- Volume :
- 23
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 12372731