Study of brain growth in children--a new approach to volume measurements using MRI-reconstructed 3D neuroimaging.
OBJECTIVE
The three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed neuroimages are currently available to analyze brain structure. It provides a new tool for clinical evaluation and academic research on brain. However, there are several methods for processing 3D images. In this article, we present a technique that utilizes a work station and a software program to process reconstructed 3D neuroimages after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning.


METHODS
The brain volumes of 50 normal children aged between 3 months and 12 years and 11 months were measured by 3D neuroimages reconstructed from regular MRI scans. These results were then analyzed statistically against the growth curve.


RESULTS
The regression curve of cortical growth was y = 39.317Ln(x) + 631.31, R (2) = 0.1318. The regression curve of white matter growth was y = 81.754Ln(x) + 186.07, R(2) = 0.5675. The regression curve of whole brain growth was y = 121.07Ln(x) + 817.738, R (2) = 0.4077. Current studies show that at the postnatal stage, the cortex grows mainly between birth and 4 years of age. At the same time, the postnatal development of the brain depends mainly on the growth of white matter from birth through adolescence.


CONCLUSIONS
This study presents the basic data from a study of children's brains using reconstructed 3D brain images. A 3D reconstructed neuroimage provides a new tool for neurological and psychological in vivo research of the brain. Based on the techniques we introduce here, the clinician may evaluate the growth of the brain in a more efficient and precise manner.
Shen
Ein-Yiao
EY
Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, China. einyiao@gmail.com
Wu
Kuan-Hsun
KH
Lin
Ming-Fan
MF
Chen
Chia-Yuan
CY
D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000254:growth & development; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012984:Software