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Normal myelination: a practical pictorial review

Helen M Branson1

  • 1Department of Medical Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. helen.branson@sickkids.ca

Neuroimaging Clinics of North America
|April 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the premier method for evaluating brain myelin maturation. Understanding the typical myelination pattern helps detect developmental delays in the central nervous system (CNS).

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Myelin is a crucial nerve insulator in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
  • In the CNS, myelin is formed by oligodendrocytes, consisting of protein-lipid-protein-lipid-protein sheaths.
  • Myelin sheath formation is vital for efficient nerve signal transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight MRI as the optimal imaging modality for assessing human brain myelin maturation.
  • To explain the fundamental structure and function of myelin.
  • To establish the diagnostic utility of MRI in identifying myelin delay.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing standard T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI sequences.
  • Leveraging knowledge of normal age-related myelin maturation patterns.
  • Applying MRI across various imaging platforms.

Main Results:

  • MRI enables precise evaluation of myelin development in the brain.
  • Myelination follows a predictable cephalocaudal, proximodistal, and anteroposterior progression.
  • Deviations from this pattern indicate potential myelin delay.

Conclusions:

  • MRI is the gold standard for assessing brain myelin maturation.
  • Knowledge of normal myelination sequences is key to diagnosing delays.
  • Early detection of myelin abnormalities via MRI is critical for neurological assessment.

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