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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Microstructural changes of the baboon cerebral cortex during gestational development reflected in magnetic resonance
Christopher D Kroenke1, David C Van Essen, Terrie E Inder
1Oregon National Primate Research Center, and Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.
Summary
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reveals regional differences in fetal brain development. Cortical maturation shows declining water diffusion anisotropy, with varying expansion rates across brain regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cerebral cortical development involves intricate, regionally variable changes in cellular structure and connectivity.
- Previous research indicates that cortical maturation correlates with a decrease in water diffusion anisotropy, as observed through diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI).
- Understanding these developmental trajectories is crucial for identifying normal brain maturation and potential disruptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize regional changes in diffusion anisotropy during fetal baboon brain development using high-resolution DTI.
- To visualize and quantify variations in cortical anisotropy and surface area expansion across different brain regions.
- To explore the relationship between cortical expansion and diffusion anisotropy during development.
Main Methods:
- Application of high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to fixed postmortem fetal baboon brains.
- Utilized surface-based visualization methods to analyze regional changes in water diffusion anisotropy.
- Quantified cortical surface area expansion between embryonic days 125 and 146.
Main Results:
- Diffusion anisotropy varied within the cortical sheet, with higher values in superficial layers.
- Anisotropy was low in allocortical/periallocortical regions and high in isocortex at embryonic day 90, with regional variations decreasing by embryonic day 146.
- Cortical expansion was non-uniform, with greater expansion in parietal, medial occipital, and lateral frontal regions; however, the correlation between expansion and anisotropy was modest.
Conclusions:
- High-resolution DTI effectively visualizes regional variations in cortical maturation and expansion during fetal development.
- The study provides detailed insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of cortical development, complementing histological findings.
- This DTI approach holds potential for in vivo studies of normal and abnormal brain development in humans and animal models.
