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Published on: July 30, 2009
Amide Proton Transfer (APT) MR imaging and Magnetization Transfer (MT) MR imaging of pediatric brain development
Hong Zhang1, Huiying Kang1, Xuna Zhao2
1Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Insights
Brain maturation in children was quantified using amide proton transfer (APT) and magnetization transfer (MT) imaging. APT-weighted signals decreased with age, particularly in white matter, while MT ratio signals increased, showing an inverse correlation during development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pediatric Radiology
- Brain Development
Background:
- Brain maturation involves complex microstructural changes.
- Conventional magnetization transfer (MT) imaging provides insights into myelin content.
- Amide proton transfer (APT) imaging offers complementary information on macromolecular content.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify brain maturation in children using combined APT and MT imaging at 3 Tesla.
- To assess age-related changes in APT-weighted (APTW) and MT ratio (MTR) signals.
- To evaluate the utility of APT imaging in pediatric brain myelination assessment.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-two healthy children (2-190 months) underwent 3T MRI with a combined APT/MT protocol.
- Quantitative analysis of APTW and MTR signals was performed in multiple brain regions.
- Non-linear regression evaluated age-related signal changes.
Main Results:
- APTW signals showed a decreasing exponential trend with age (R(2)=0.7-0.8), most pronounced in the first year.
- White matter exhibited larger APTW decreases and lower mature values.
- MTR signals demonstrated an increasing exponential trend with age, with significant changes in the first two years; an inverse correlation between MTR and APTW was observed.
Conclusions:
- Combined APT and MT imaging effectively quantifies brain maturation in children.
- APTW signal changes are sensitive to early myelination processes.
- APT imaging provides valuable, complementary information to MT imaging for assessing pediatric brain myelination.
Objectives:
To quantify the brain maturation process during childhood using combined amide proton transfer (APT) and conventional magnetization transfer (MT) imaging at 3 Tesla.
Methods:
Eighty-two neurodevelopmentally normal children (44 males and 38 females; age range, 2-190 months) were imaged using an APT/MT imaging protocol with multiple saturation frequency offsets. The APT-weighted (APTW) and MT ratio (MTR) signals were quantitatively analyzed in multiple brain areas. Age-related changes in MTR and APTW were evaluated with a non-linear regression analysis.
Results:
The APTW signals followed a decreasing exponential curve with age in all brain regions measured (R(2) = 0.7-0.8 for the corpus callosum, frontal and occipital white matter, and centrum semiovale). The most significant changes appeared within the first year. At maturation, larger decreases in APTW and lower APTW values were found in the white matter. On the contrary, the MTR signals followed an increasing exponential curve with age in the same brain regions measured, with the most significant changes appearing within the initial 2 years. There was an inverse correlation between the MTR and APTW signal intensities during brain maturation.
Conclusions:
Together with MT imaging, protein-based APT imaging can provide additional information in assessing brain myelination in the paediatric population.
Key Points:
• APTW signals followed a decreasing exponential curve with age. • The most significant APTW changes appeared within the first year • At maturation, larger APTW decreases and lower APTW appeared in white matter • MTR signals followed an increasing exponential curve with age.
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