Related Experiment Videos
Myelination and organization of the frontal white matter in children: a diffusion tensor MRI study
T Klingberg1, C J Vaidya, J D Gabrieli
1Department of Psychology, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA.
Abstract:
Myelination is critical for the functional development of the brain, but the time course of myelination during childhood is not well known. Diffusion tensor MR imaging (DTI) provides a new method for estimating myelination in vivo. Myelin restricts diffusion of water transverse to the axons, causing diffusion to be anisotropic. By quantifying the anisotropy, the progressive myelination of axons can be studied. Central white matter of the frontal lobe was studied in seven children (mean age 10 years) and five adults (mean age 27 years). Anisotropy in the frontal white matter was significantly lower in children than in adults, suggesting less myelination in children. Measurement of the coherence of white matter revealed that the right frontal lobe had a more regular organization of axons than the left frontal lobe, in both children and adults. The results demonstrate that maturation of the frontal white matter continues into the second decade of life. The time course of prefrontal maturation makes it possible that myelination is a basis for the gradual development of prefrontal functions, such as increased working memory capacity.
Insights
Brain development relies on myelination, but its childhood timeline is unclear. Diffusion tensor MR imaging (DTI) reveals frontal white matter is less myelinated in children than adults, indicating maturation continues into adolescence.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Myelination is crucial for brain function and development.
- The precise timing of myelination throughout childhood remains largely unknown.
- Diffusion tensor MR imaging (DTI) offers a non-invasive method to assess myelination in living subjects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the time course of white matter myelination in the frontal lobe during childhood and adolescence.
- To compare myelination levels between children and adults using DTI.
- To explore the relationship between white matter organization and cognitive development.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor MR imaging (DTI) was employed to quantify water diffusion anisotropy in the frontal white matter.
- Seven children (mean age 10 years) and five adults (mean age 27 years) were included in the study.
- Analysis focused on diffusion anisotropy and white matter coherence.
Main Results:
- Frontal white matter anisotropy was significantly lower in children compared to adults, indicating reduced myelination.
- White matter coherence measurements showed a more organized axonal structure in the right frontal lobe than the left, in both age groups.
- These findings suggest that frontal white matter maturation extends into the second decade of life.
Conclusions:
- Myelination of the frontal white matter continues well into adolescence.
- The gradual maturation of prefrontal white matter may underlie the development of executive functions, such as working memory.
- DTI is a valuable tool for studying in vivo myelination and brain development.