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Application of diffusion kurtosis imaging in neonatal brain development
Xueyuan Wang1,2, Xianglong Liu3, Meiying Cheng1,2
1Department of Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Frontiers in Pediatrics
|April 13, 2023
Summary
Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) effectively tracks white and gray matter development in newborns. This advanced MRI technique reveals significant microstructural changes during early brain development, crucial for identifying potential health issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Early childhood diseases can stem from atypical brain development, highlighting the need to assess neonatal brain maturation.
- Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) offers a novel approach to evaluate white and gray matter changes in the developing neonatal brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic changes in white matter and gray matter microstructure during neonatal development using DKI.
- To correlate DKI-derived metrics with infant age to understand normative developmental trajectories.
Main Methods:
- 42 full-term neonates (0-28 days) underwent conventional MRI and DKI.
- DKI metrics (kurtosis and diffusion parameters) were measured in white matter and deep gray matter regions of interest (ROIs).
- Statistical analyses, including Kruskal-Wallis, Bonferroni correction, and Spearman correlation, were used to assess age-related changes.
Main Results:
- Kurtosis parameters (MK, Ka, Kr) and FA showed positive age correlations, while diffusion parameters (MD, Da, Dr) showed negative correlations.
- Mean Kurtosis (MK) exhibited the strongest correlation with age across most ROIs.
- Significant regional differences in DKI metrics were observed between central and peripheral white matter, and among deep gray matter structures.
Conclusions:
- DKI parameters demonstrate significant age-related changes in neonatal brain microstructure.
- DKI shows promise as a sensitive tool for detecting microstructural alterations during early brain development, potentially aiding in the early identification of developmental abnormalities.
