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Updated: May 29, 2026
Mouse Models of Periventricular Leukomalacia
Published on: May 18, 2010
Diffuse periventricular leukomalacia in preterm children: assessment of grey matter changes by MRI
L C Tzarouchi1, V Xydis, A K Zikou
1Department of Radiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
Insights
Preterm children with diffuse periventricular leukomalacia (dPVL) show altered grey matter (GM) volumes. Some GM areas increased, possibly due to plasticity, while others decreased, potentially impacting cognition and memory.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Preterm birth can lead to cognitive deficits and behavioral issues linked to grey matter (GM) injury.
- Diffuse periventricular leukomalacia (dPVL) is associated with a higher prevalence of these neurological impairments in preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess volumetric changes in 116 specific grey matter (GM) regions in preterm children diagnosed with dPVL.
- To compare GM volumes and white matter/cerebrospinal fluid (WM/CSF) ratios between preterm children with dPVL and healthy preterm controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-resolution T1-weighted MRI scans for volumetric analysis.
- Segmented and calculated volumes of 116 individual GM areas and WM/CSF ratios.
- Compared data from 11 preterm children with dPVL against 33 matched preterm controls.
Main Results:
- Children with dPVL exhibited reduced GM volumes in the hippocampus, amygdala, frontal lobes, and middle temporal gyrus.
- Increased GM volumes were observed in the putamen, thalamus, globus pallidus, superior temporal gyrus, and parietal/occipital lobes.
- Preterm children with dPVL had significantly lower white matter volume and higher cerebrospinal fluid volume, reflected in altered WM/CSF ratios.
Conclusions:
- Preterm children with dPVL demonstrate distinct patterns of regional GM volume alteration.
- Increased GM volumes in certain areas may indicate brain plasticity or regenerative processes.
- Reduced GM volumes in specific regions are associated with cognitive and memory functions, highlighting potential long-term neurodevelopmental impacts.
Background:
Preterm children may have cognitive deficits and behavioural disorders suggestive of grey matter (GM) injury. The prevalence is higher in preterm children with diffuse periventricular leukomalacia (dPVL).
Objective:
Evaluate changes in the volume of 116 GM areas in preterm children with dPVL.
Methods And Materials:
Eleven preterm children with dPVL, gestational age 32.8 ± 2.6 weeks, examined at corrected age 22.0 ± 18.2 months and 33 matched preterm controls with normal brain MRI were studied. Volumes of 116 individual GM areas, and white matter/cerebrospinal fluid (WM/CSF) ratio were calculated on T1-weighted high-resolution images after segmentation.
Results:
Relative to controls, children with dPVL had decreased GM volume of the hippocampus, amygdala, and frontal lobes and temporal middle gyrus (P < 0.05); increased GM volume of the putamen, thalamus, globus pallidum, superior temporal gyrus and of the parietal and occipital lobes (P < 0.05) and lower WM volume/higher CSF volume (P < 0.05). WM/CSF ratios also differed (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Preterm children with dPVL have increased regional GM volume in some areas probably related with a process of brain plasticity-regeneration and reduced GM volume in areas associated with cognition and memory.
