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High-resolution Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Human Subcortex In Vivo and Postmortem
Published on: December 30, 2015
Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the normal and abnormal visual system in early life
A P Born1, M J Miranda, E Rostrup
1Danish Research Centre of Magnetic Resonance, Hvidovre Hospital.
Insights
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can assess visual cortex development in infants. fMRI shows potential for predicting visual performance and identifying impairments in infants, though early results require cautious interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Pediatric Imaging
Background:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offers insights into visual cortex development and visual performance prediction in children.
- Assessing visual processing in infants, especially those with brain damage or visual impairment, is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of fMRI in examining cerebral visual processing in very young infants.
- To assess fMRI's effectiveness in infants with and without brain damage or visual impairment.
Main Methods:
- fMRI was performed on 15 preterm infants, 12 children with suspected cerebral visual impairment, and 10 controls, all asleep or sedated.
- Cortical responses to stroboscopic light stimulation were analyzed.
- Blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals and activated cortical volumes were measured.
Main Results:
- Cortical responses were detectable in infants > 41 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA), but not younger.
- Infants < 60 weeks PMA showed variable BOLD signal changes (increase or decrease), while older infants showed signal decrease.
- Activated cortical volumes correlated linearly with age in healthy children < 90 weeks PMA, but were reduced in those with visual impairment.
- Unilateral optic radiation damage resulted in asymmetrical activation, favoring the healthy side.
Conclusions:
- fMRI is feasible for assessing visual processing in infants from 41 weeks PMA.
- fMRI can reveal developmental trajectories and identify functional deficits in pediatric visual impairment.
- Interpreting fMRI data in infants younger than six months requires caution due to variations in cortical development.
Abstract:
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in young children may provide information about the development of the visual cortex, and may have predictive value for later visual performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of fMRI for examining cerebral processing of vision in very young infants and in infants with brain damage. We examined 15 preterm infants, 12 children suspected of having a cerebral visual impairment and 10 children with a normal visual system, all of whom were either spontaneously asleep or sedated with chloral hydrate. Cortical response to stroboscopic light stimulation could be demonstrated in all technically acceptable data sets from children with a post-menstrual age (PMA) of > 41 weeks, but not in younger infants. Children < 60 weeks PMA showed either a blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal increase or decrease, while all older children showed a signal decrease. The activated cortical volumes showed a linear relation to age for healthy children younger than 90 weeks PMA, but were small in children with visual impairment. In two children with unilateral damage to the optic radiations, activation was strongly asymmetrical with greatest activation on the healthy side. In future prospective studies, results from the period from birth to six months of age should be interpreted with caution, as inter-individual variation of cortical development may be confused with functional deficit.
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