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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Mouse Models of Periventricular Leukomalacia
Published on: May 18, 2010
Myelination process in preterm subjects with periventricular leucomalacia assessed by magnetization transfer ratio
Vassilios Xydis1, Loukas Astrakas, Aikaterini Drougia
1Department of Radiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, 45110, Greece.
Insights
Magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) reveals abnormal myelination in children with periventricular leucomalacia (PVL). While some white matter shows accelerated myelination, the splenium exhibits impaired development, suggesting brain reorganization in PVL.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pediatric Neurology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) is a key technique for assessing brain myelination.
- Periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) is a common neonatal brain injury affecting white matter development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate myelination progression in children with PVL using MTI.
- To compare magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) values in PVL subjects with normative data.
Main Methods:
- Brain MTR was measured in 28 PVL subjects using a 3D gradient echo sequence.
- MTR values were compared between PVL patients and healthy preterm infants.
Main Results:
- Splenium myelination in PVL subjects showed an early arrest and lower final MTR compared to controls.
- Normal-appearing white matter and genu of the corpus callosum reached normal MTR values but at an earlier age.
- Thalamus and caudate nucleus MTR showed poor model fit, indicating complex developmental changes.
Conclusions:
- PVL is associated with impaired myelination in specific white matter tracts, such as the splenium.
- Accelerated myelination in unaffected white matter areas may indicate compensatory brain reorganization in response to injury.
Background:
Magnetization transfer imaging assesses the myelination status of the brain.
Objectives:
To study the progress of myelination in children with periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) by measuring the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and to compare the MTR values with normal values.
Materials And Methods:
Brain MTR in 28 PVL subjects (16 males, 12 females, gestational age 30.7+/-2.5 weeks, corrected age 3.1+/-2.9 years) was measured using a 3D gradient echo sequence (TR/TE 32/8 ms, flip angle 60 degrees, 4 mm/2 mm overlapping sections) without and with magnetization transfer prepulse and compared with normal values for preterm subjects.
Results:
MTR of white-matter structures followed a monoexponential function model (y=A-B*exp(-x/C)) while the thalamus and caudate nucleus had a poor goodness of fit. MTR of the splenium of the corpus callosum reached a final value lower than normal (0.67 versus 0.70) at a younger age [t(99%) at 10.32 versus 18.90 months; P<0.05]. MTR of the normal-appearing occipital white matter and of the genu of the corpus callosum reached a normal final MTR but at a younger age than normal preterm infants [t(99%) at 8.51 versus 14.50 months and 12.51 versus 20.85 months, respectively].
Conclusion:
In PVL subjects, myelination of the splenium is characterized by early arrest and deficient maturation. Accelerated myelination in unaffected white matter might suggest a compensatory process of reorganization.
