Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of cerebral white matter development.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) has become a sensitive tool to monitor white matter development. Different applications of diffusion-weighted techniques provide information about premyelinating, myelinating, and postmyelinating states of white matter maturation. Mirroring maturational processes on the cellular level, DWI has to be regarded as a morphological method as well as a functional instrument, giving insight into molecular processes during the formation of axons and myelin sheets and into the steric arrangement of white matter tracts the formation of which is strongly influenced by their function.
Prayer
Daniela
D
University Clinic of Radiodiagnostics, Department of Neuroradiology, Waehringerguertel 18-20, 1090 Wien, Austria. daniela.prayer@univie.ac.at
Prayer
Lucas
L
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats