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Brain activation in sedated children: auditory and visual functional MR imaging
1Department of Radiology, Miami Children's Hospital, 3100 SW 62nd Ave, Miami, FL 33155, USA. nolan.altman@mch.com
Insights
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can map brain activation in sedated children using visual and auditory tasks. This study shows visual cortex activation and auditory activation in temporal and frontal lobes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Imaging
- Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Background:
- Assessing brain function in pediatric patients often requires sedation.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a valuable tool for non-invasive brain activity mapping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map developing brain activation areas in sedated children using passive auditory and visual stimuli.
- To investigate age-related differences in brain activation patterns.
Main Methods:
- Forty children (2 months to 9 years) underwent fMRI with passive visual (flashing lights) and auditory (recorded voice) tasks.
- Children received sedation (pentobarbital or chloral hydrate).
- Activation maps were generated using a paired t test (P < .0005).
Main Results:
- Visual stimulus activated the rostral primary visual cortex in 90% of patients, showing negative values.
- Auditory paradigm activated temporal or frontal areas in 68% of patients.
- Increased frontal activation was observed in older children.
Conclusions:
- Sedated children demonstrate activation in visual and auditory cortices via fMRI.
- Visual cortex responses are consistently negative in the rostral region, irrespective of age.
- Auditory activation occurs in both temporal and frontal lobes, with a trend towards more frontal involvement in older children.
Purpose:
To map developing areas of activation with functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in sedated children by using passive auditory and visual tasks.
Materials And Methods:
Forty children between 2 months and 9 years old were examined and grouped according to age. Children were selected from patients referred to undergo brain MR imaging. Patients received pentobarbital (3.0-7.0 mg per kilogram of body weight) or chloral hydrate (50-75 mg/kg). The functional MR imaging study was performed at the end of the examination. Paradigms consisted of flashing lights at 8 Hz displayed on special goggles and a prerecorded mother's voice presented through headphones. Activation maps were obtained from a paired t test with a P value of.0005 (uncorrected).
Results:
The visual stimulus produced statistically significant negative values in the rostral aspect of the primary visual area (28 [90%] of 31 patients). The auditory paradigm activated either temporal or frontal areas in 26 (68%) of 31 patients. There was more frontal activation in the older children.
Conclusion:
Visual and auditory cortices can be activated in children who have been sedated. Visual responses show negative values in the rostral visual cortex, independent of age. Auditory activation is seen in temporal and frontal lobes.
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