Normal measurements of brainstem and related structures for all ages: An MRI-based morphometric study

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Normal brainstem and related structure sizes are vital for diagnosing aging and neurodegenerative conditions.
• No established normative data exists for these structures in the Indian population.
• This study addresses this gap by analyzing MRI data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative linear and angular measurements of the brainstem, cerebral peduncles, middle cerebellar peduncles, and proximal cervical cord.
• To assess age-related changes in these structures within the Indian context.
• To provide reference data for clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, cross-sectional, and analytical study design.
• Analysis of T1WI axial and sagittal MRI brain images.
• Measurement of variables including cerebral peduncle thickness, interpeduncular angle, and midbrain dimensions.

Main Results:

• Significant age-related differences (p=0.001) were observed in most measured variables.
• Males generally showed higher mean values for most variables.
• Structures increased from infancy, peaked in the third decade, then declined.

Conclusions:

• MRI morphometry of the brainstem and related structures is feasible and reproducible.
• The study provides essential normative data for the Indian population.
• This data is valuable for routine clinical diagnosis and research.