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Normative volumetric data of the developing hippocampus in children based on magnetic resonance imaging
Insights
This study provides normative data on childhood hippocampal and brain growth, revealing faster hippocampal development in girls. These findings aid in understanding early childhood hippocampal sclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neuroimaging
- Developmental neuroscience
- Human anatomy
Background:
- The hippocampus plays a critical role in learning and memory.
- Understanding normative growth patterns is essential for identifying developmental abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative data for hippocampal volume and postnatal growth in children aged 1 month to 15 years.
- To analyze sex-based differences in hippocampal and brain growth trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Utilized spoiled FLASH 3D and T2-weighted spin-echo MRI sequences for morphometry.
- Applied Cavalieri's principle for accurate volume determination of the hippocampus and brain.
- Fitted growth curves using a nonlinear Boltzmann sigmoidal equation.
Main Results:
- Established high intra-/interobserver reliability for volumetric measurements (2.0-4.9%).
- Observed a significant volume difference between right and left hippocampi (right larger, p < 0.001).
- Demonstrated accelerated hippocampal growth in girls compared to boys, with distinct growth slopes for hippocampus and brain between sexes.
Conclusions:
- Normative data acquired can help evaluate critical growth phases of the hippocampus.
- Findings may contribute to a better understanding of hippocampal sclerosis development in early childhood.
Purpose:
To acquire normative data of the hippocampus and its postnatal growth in 50 children (age, 1 month to 15 years) without epilepsy.
Methods:
Morphometry of the hippocampus was carried out by using a spoiled FLASH 3D sequence (sagittal orientation), whereas the volume of the brain was assessed with a T2-weighted spin-echo sequence (transverse orientation). The volume of the hippocampus and the brain was determined by following Cavalieri's principle. Growth curves of the brain and hippocampus were fitted to a nonlinear Boltzmann sigmoidal equation.
Results:
Intra-/interobserver coefficient of variation was 2.0/4.9% for hippocampal volume measurements and 2.0/2.1% for brain volumetry. A significant difference in volume was noted between the right and left hippocampus (p < 0.001), with the right side being larger on average by 0.10 cc. Correlation coefficients of growth curves ranged between 0.71 and 0.94. Growth curves demonstrated a faster development of the hippocampus in girls. A steeper slope of hippocampal growth as compared with brain growth was found in girls, whereas in boys, the slope of brain growth was steeper.
Conclusions:
Our findings will be of help in evaluating vulnerable phases of the hippocampal formation with accelerated growth, thereby leading to a better understanding of the development of hippocampal sclerosis in early childhood.