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Evolution of T1 Relaxation, ADC, and Fractional Anisotropy during Early Brain Maturation: A Serial Imaging Study on
J Schneider1, T Kober2, M Bickle Graz1
1From the Clinic of Neonatology and Follow-up (J.S., M.B.G., A.C.T.), Department of Pediatrics.
Insights
This study provides reference quantitative MRI measures for preterm infant brain maturation, tracking changes in T1 relaxation, ADC, and fractional anisotropy from 25 to 40 weeks gestation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Pediatric Radiology
Background:
- Preterm infant brain maturation is crucial for neurodevelopment.
- Altered maturation can lead to neurodevelopmental disabilities.
- Serial imaging aids in understanding preterm brain dysmaturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Establish reference quantitative MRI measures over time in preterm infants.
- Utilize ADC, fractional anisotropy, and T1 maps for assessment.
- Investigate brain maturation from birth to term-equivalent age.
Main Methods:
- Included preterm neonates (<30 weeks GA) with no major brain lesions.
- Performed serial 3T MRIs from birth to term-equivalent age.
- Measured ADC, fractional anisotropy, and T1 relaxation in defined ROIs.
Main Results:
- Acquired 107 MRIs in 39 low-risk preterm infants.
- Observed gradual, significant decrease in T1 relaxation time with maturation.
- Noted decline in ADC values and changes in fractional anisotropy in white and gray matter.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative MRI measures reflect progressive cerebral microstructure maturation.
- Study provides reference trajectories for T1 relaxation, ADC, and fractional anisotropy.
- Deviations may indicate disturbed brain maturation, requiring further outcome correlation.
Background And Purpose:
The alteration of brain maturation in preterm infants contributes to neurodevelopmental disabilities during childhood. Serial imaging allows understanding of the mechanisms leading to dysmaturation in the preterm brain. The purpose of the present study was to provide reference quantitative MR imaging measures across time in preterm infants, by using ADC, fractional anisotropy, and T1 maps obtained by using the magnetization-prepared dual rapid acquisition of gradient echo technique.
Materials And Methods:
We included preterm neonates born at <30 weeks of gestational age without major brain lesions on early cranial sonography and performed 3 MRIs (3T) from birth to term-equivalent age. Multiple measurements (ADC, fractional anisotropy, and T1 relaxation) were performed on each examination in 12 defined white and gray matter ROIs.
Results:
We acquired 107 MRIs (35 early, 33 intermediary, and 39 at term-equivalent age) in 39 cerebral low-risk preterm infants. Measures of T1 relaxation time showed a gradual and significant decrease with time in a region- and hemispheric-specific manner. ADC values showed a similar decline with time, but with more variability than T1 relaxation. An increase of fractional anisotropy values was observed in WM regions and inversely a decrease in the cortex.
Conclusions:
The gradual change with time reflects the progressive maturation of the cerebral microstructure in white and gray matter. Our study provides reference trajectories from 25 to 40 weeks of gestation of T1 relaxation, ADC, and fractional anisotropy values in low-risk preterm infants. We speculate that deviation thereof might reflect disturbed cerebral maturation; the correlation of this disturbed maturation with neurodevelopmental outcome remains to be addressed.
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