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Scanning Dos and Don'ts: Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Awake Children Aged 3 to 5 Years to Assess Brain Structure and Function
Published on: March 10, 2026
Basic principles and concepts underlying recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging of the developing brain
Ashok Panigrahy1, Matthew Borzage, Stefan Blüml
1Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Institute for Maternal Fetal Health, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. apanigrahy@chla.usc.edu
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging advances enable high-quality brain studies in neonates. These techniques offer quantitative insights into immature brain development and injury, crucial for diagnosing conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pediatric Neurology
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is vital for assessing human brain development and perinatal brain injury.
- Technological advancements, including MR-compatible incubators and high-field magnets, facilitate imaging in sick neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review principles and advances in MR spectroscopy, diffusion, perfusion, and volumetric imaging.
- To highlight the role of quantitative MR techniques in understanding immature brain development and injury.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent technological innovations in neonatal MR imaging.
- Discussion of advanced MR techniques: spectroscopy, diffusion, perfusion, and volumetric imaging.
Main Results:
- Advanced MR techniques provide quantitative assessment of the immature brain.
- These methods offer novel insights into both normal brain development and injury in neonates.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative MR imaging is essential for evaluating neonatal brain development and injury.
- Understanding normal developmental changes in quantitative MR values is critical for accurate pathological interpretation.
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