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T2 relaxation values in the developing preterm brain
Serena J Counsell1, Nigel L Kennea, Amy H Herlihy
1Robert Steiner MR Unit, Imaging Sciences Department, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College, DuCane Road, London, England.
Insights
T2 values in the preterm brain decrease as postmenstrual age (PMA) increases. This finding aids in understanding brain maturation and disease using MR imaging in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Pediatric Radiology
Background:
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging is crucial for assessing preterm infant brain development.
- Understanding T2 value changes with postmenstrual age (PMA) is key for accurate interpretation of MR images.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine T2 values in the preterm brain from 25 weeks' gestational age (GA) to term-equivalent age.
- To correlate T2 values with increasing PMA in infants with normal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- MR imaging T2 measurements were performed on 18 preterm infants (born ≤33 weeks GA).
- T2 values were acquired using a 1.0-T MR system with a four-echo pulse sequence.
- Measurements were taken in specific brain regions: thalami, lentiform nuclei, and white matter areas.
Main Results:
- A significant negative linear correlation between T2 values and PMA was observed in the lentiform nuclei, frontal white matter, occipital white matter, and central white matter.
- T2 values did not show a significant reduction with increasing PMA in the thalami.
Conclusions:
- T2 values in the preterm brain demonstrate a decrease with advancing postmenstrual age.
- These findings support the use of T2 values as an objective measure of brain maturation in preterm infants.
Background And Purpose:
MR imaging is increasingly used to assess maturation and disease in the preterm brain. Knowledge of the changes in T2 values with increasing postmenstrual age (PMA) will aid image interpretation and help in the objective assessment of maturation and disease of the brain in infants. The aim of this study was to obtain T2 values in the preterm brain from 25 weeks' gestational age (GA) until term-equivalent age in infants who had normal neurodevelopmental findings at a minimum corrected age of 1 year.
Methods:
The study group consisted of 18 preterm infants, born at 33 weeks' GA or sooner. The median GA of the infants at birth was 27 weeks (range, 23-33 weeks), and the median PMA at imaging was 31 weeks (range, 25-41 weeks). T2 measurements were obtained using a 1.0-T MR system and a four-echo pulse sequence (TR/TE, 2500/ 30, 60, 110, and 600). T2 values were measured in the thalami, lentiform nuclei, frontal white matter, occipital white matter, and central white matter at the level of the centrum semiovale.
Results:
A significant negative linear correlation between T2 values and PMA was demonstrated in the lentiform nuclei (P =.003), frontal white matter (P <.0001), occipital white matter (P <.0001), and central white matter at the level of the centrum semiovale (P <.0001). T2 values were not significantly reduced with increasing PMA in the thalami (P =.06).
Conclusion:
T2 values decrease with increasing PMA in the preterm brain.
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