Glymphatic system dysfunction in pediatric growth hormone deficiency evidenced by multiple MRI metrics
Shuzhen Huang1, Liping Lin1, Xiang Gao1
1Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery
|January 12, 2026
Summary
Pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD) shows impaired glymphatic function, affecting brain waste clearance. This dysfunction may be a key mechanism in GHD, with imaging metrics potentially serving as biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The glymphatic system is crucial for clearing metabolic waste from the brain.
- Pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD) may involve alterations in glymphatic function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate glymphatic system function in children with GHD using non-invasive imaging.
- To identify potential imaging biomarkers for assessing glymphatic function in pediatric GHD.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study comparing 40 children with GHD and 40 typically developing (TD) children.
- Assessed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production (choroid plexus volume - CPV), influx (perivascular space - PVS burden), and waste clearance (DTI-ALPS) using MRI.
- Correlated MRI metrics with clinical variables in GHD patients.
Main Results:
- Children with GHD had decreased CPV, lower PVS burden, and reduced DTI-ALPS compared to TD children.
- PVS volume correlated positively with Social Competence scores in GHD.
- CPV negatively correlated with Activity Level in GHD.
Conclusions:
- Glymphatic dysfunction appears to be a pathological feature in pediatric GHD.
- CPV, PVS volume, and DTI-ALPS show promise as auxiliary biomarkers for evaluating glymphatic function in pediatric GHD.
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