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Myelination as an expression of the functional maturity of the brain
M S van der Knaap1, J Valk, C J Bakker
1Department of Child Neurology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Myelination, the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Hydrocephalus affects brain development in infants and children.
- Understanding the relationship between myelination, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume, and neurodevelopment is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between myelination, intracranial CSF volume, and psychomotor development in hydrocephalic children.
- To evaluate the validity of Flechsig's thesis regarding myelination and brain maturity.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cross-sectional study involving hydrocephalic infants and children.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to assess myelination and quantify CSF volume.
- Standardized neurodevelopmental testing.
Main Results:
- A positive correlation was observed between the progress of myelination and psychomotor development.
- No significant correlations were found between CSF volume and myelination.
- No significant correlations were found between CSF volume and psychomotor development.
Conclusions:
- Myelination is a key indicator of functional brain maturity in children.
- The findings support Flechsig's thesis on myelination's role in brain development.
- CSF volume does not appear to directly influence myelination or psychomotor development in this cohort.
Abstract:
A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on hydrocephalic infants and children. MRI was used to assess the state of myelination and to quantify the intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume repeatedly in all children. At the same time, neurodevelopmental testing was performed. A positive correlation was found between the progress of myelination and psychomotor development, but there were no significant correlations between CSF volume and myelination or between CSF volume and psychomotor development. This study provides strong evidence in favour of Flechsig's thesis that myelination expresses the functional maturity of the brain. The interdependency of neuronal maturation and progress of myelination are discussed.