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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Pediatric diffusion tensor imaging: normal database and observation of the white matter maturation in early childhood
Laurent Hermoye1, Christine Saint-Martin, Guy Cosnard
1Diagnostic Radiology Unit, Saint-Luc University Hospital, Universite Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Insights
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) now reveals pediatric white matter anatomy. A new online database of DTI images provides a normal reference standard for diagnosing neurological abnormalities in children.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pediatric Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) advances enable white matter anatomy visualization and detection of pediatric neurological abnormalities.
- Clinical application of DTI in children is limited by the absence of a normative reference standard.
- Establishing a database of DTI images in children is crucial for creating this standard.
Purpose of the Study:
- To initiate the creation of a pediatric DTI image database.
- To serve as a normal reference standard for diagnosing pediatric neurological abnormalities.
- To characterize white matter maturation in infants and young children.
Main Methods:
- Acquired anatomical and DTI data from 7 pediatric volunteers and 23 neurologically normal pediatric patients (0-54 months).
- Utilized a 1.5 T MR scanner for image acquisition.
- Quantified changes in fractional anisotropy (FA), average apparent diffusion constant (ADC(ave)), and T2-weighted (T2W) signal intensity in 12 anatomical locations.
Main Results:
- Prominent white matter tracts were identifiable from birth, with initial low anisotropy.
- White matter tract development followed three phases: rapid changes (0-12 months), slow modifications (12-24 months), and stability (>24 months).
- DTI metrics (FA, ADC(ave), T2W) correlated with visual assessment, confirming white matter maturation and architectural normality.
Conclusions:
- DTI is effective for assessing white matter maturation and normality in young children.
- The developed DTI database provides a valuable reference for pediatric neurological diagnosis.
- This resource is expected to promote DTI's clinical use in diagnosing pediatric pathologies.
Abstract:
Recent advances in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have made it possible to reveal white matter anatomy and to detect neurological abnormalities in children. However, the clinical use of this technique is hampered by the lack of a normal standard of reference. The goal of this study was to initiate the establishment of a database of DTI images in children, which can be used as a normal standard of reference for diagnosis of pediatric neurological abnormalities. Seven pediatric volunteers and 23 pediatric patients (age range: 0-54 months) referred for clinical MR examinations, but whose brains were shown to be normal, underwent anatomical and DTI acquisitions on a 1.5 T MR scanner. The white matter maturation, as observed on DTI color maps, was described and illustrated. Changes in diffusion fractional anisotropy (FA), average apparent diffusion constant (ADC(ave)), and T2-weighted (T2W) signal intensity were quantified in 12 locations to characterize the anatomical variability of the maturation process. Almost all prominent white matter tracts could be identified from birth, although their anisotropy was often low. The evolution of FA, shape, and size of the white matter tracts comprised generally three phases: rapid changes during the first 12 months; slow modifications during the second year; and relative stability after 24 months. The time courses of FA, ADC(ave), and T2W signal intensity confirmed our visual observations that maturation of the white matter and the normality of its architecture can be assessed with DTI in young children. The database is available online and is expected to foster the use of this promising technique in the diagnosis of pediatric pathologies.
