Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
3D Modeling of the Lateral Ventricles and Histological Characterization of Periventricular Tissue in Humans and Mouse
Published on: May 19, 2015
Development of the prefrontal lobe in infants and children: a three-dimensional magnetic resonance volumetric study
Hideaki Kanemura1, Masao Aihara, Shigeki Aoki
1Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Tamaho-cho, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan.
Insights
Brain imaging reveals that prefrontal lobe volume grows slowly in children until age 8, then rapidly between ages 8 and 14. This study characterizes normal prefrontal lobe development using magnetic resonance imaging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Radiology
Background:
- Normal prefrontal lobe development is not well understood.
- The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in cognitive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize developmental changes in prefrontal lobe volumes in infants and children.
- To establish normative data for prefrontal lobe growth.
Main Methods:
- Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based brain volumetry was employed.
- Prefrontal and frontal lobe volumes were measured in 30 subjects (5 months to 18 years) and 3 adults.
- The prefrontal-to-frontal volume ratio was calculated.
Main Results:
- Prefrontal lobe volume showed slow growth until 8 years of age.
- A rapid increase in prefrontal lobe volume occurred between 8 and 14 years.
- The prefrontal-to-frontal volume ratio followed a sigmoid growth curve, indicating a growth spurt in late childhood.
Conclusions:
- A significant prefrontal growth spurt occurs in late childhood.
- Understanding prefrontal lobe development is vital for cognitive development and dysfunction research.
- This study provides essential normative data for prefrontal lobe development.
Abstract:
Relatively little is known about normal prefrontal lobe development. We used three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based brain volumetry to characterize developmental changes in prefrontal lobe volumes in infants and children. Prefrontal volumes were determined in 30 subjects aged 5 months to 18 years (221 months) and 3 adults aged 28-39 years (324-468 months). Images were acquired on a 1.5-T MRI system using T1-weighted gradient-echo sequences. Volumes of the frontal and prefrontal lobes were determined using a workstation, and the prefrontal-to-frontal volume ratio was calculated. Prefrontal lobe volume increased slowly until 8 years (96 months) of age, contrasting sharply with rapid growth between 8 and 14 years (96 and 168 months). The prefrontal-to-frontal volume ratio increased with age as a sigmoid growth curve. A prefrontal growth spurt occurs in late childhood. Knowledge of prefrontal lobe development is essential for understanding cognitive development and dysfunction.
