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Updated: May 7, 2026
Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants
Published on: March 14, 2013
Regional cerebral blood flow in children from 3 to 5 months of age
A F Duncan1, A Caprihan, E Q Montague
1From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology (A.F.D., J.L.).
Insights
Arterial spin-labeling reveals regional differences in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in infants aged 3-5 months. Sensorimotor and occipital regions show higher CBF, with significant increases in orbitofrontal and subgenual areas as infants mature.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Understanding early childhood brain development is crucial for linking brain function to behavior.
- Functional brain development in infants is not well understood.
- Previous studies on infant brain maturation lack large-scale functional imaging data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct the first large-scale study of regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in young children using arterial spin-labeling.
- To investigate age-related and regional variations in CBF in infants.
- To establish arterial spin-labeling as a sensitive tool for assessing infant brain development.
Main Methods:
- Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured in 61 healthy infants (3-5 months old) using arterial spin-labeling (ASL).
- CBF maps were analyzed across 8 defined anatomical regions in each cerebral hemisphere.
- Statistical analyses were performed to identify effects of sex, age, and region on CBF.
Main Results:
- No significant sex-based differences in CBF were observed.
- CBF was significantly higher in sensorimotor and occipital regions compared to dorsolateral prefrontal, subgenual, and orbitofrontal areas (P < .0001).
- Significant age-related increases in CBF were noted, particularly in the orbitofrontal (P < .009), subgenual (P < .002), and inferior occipital lobe (P = .001) regions between 3 and 5 months.
Conclusions:
- Findings align with histological data indicating regional variations in brain maturation.
- Arterial spin-labeling (ASL) is a sensitive technique for detecting regional and age-related differences in infant CBF.
- This study provides valuable insights into early functional brain development.
Background And Purpose:
Understanding the relationship between brain and behavior in early childhood requires a probe of functional brain development. We report the first large study of regional CBF by use of arterial spin-labeling in young children.
Materials And Methods:
Cerebral blood flow by use of arterial spin-labeling was measured in 61 healthy children between the ages of 3 and 5 months. Blood flow maps were parcellated into 8 broadly defined anatomic regions of each cerebral hemisphere.
Results:
There was no sex effect; however, group analysis demonstrated significantly greater CBF in the sensorimotor and occipital regions compared with dorsolateral prefrontal, subgenual, and orbitofrontal areas (P < .0001). A significant age effect was also identified, with the largest increase in blood flow between 3 and 5 months occurring in the following regions: orbitofrontal (P < .009), subgenual (P < .002), and inferior occipital lobe (P = .001).
Conclusions:
These results are consistent with prior histologic studies demonstrating regional variation in brain maturation and suggest that arterial spin-labeling is sensitive to regional as well as age-related differences in CBF in young children.
