Characterizing longitudinal white matter development during early childhood.
Post-mortem studies have shown the maturation of the brain's myelinated white matter, crucial for efficient and coordinated brain communication, follows a nonlinear spatio-temporal pattern that corresponds with the onset and refinement of cognitive functions and behaviors. Unfortunately, investigation of myelination in vivo is challenging and, thus, little is known about the normative pattern of myelination, or its association with functional development. Using a novel quantitative magnetic resonance imaging technique sensitive to myelin we examined longitudinal white matter development in 108 typically developing children ranging in age from 2.5 months to 5.5 years. Using nonlinear mixed effects modeling, we provide the first in vivo longitudinal description of myelin water fraction development. Moreover, we show distinct male and female developmental patterns, and demonstrate significant relationships between myelin content and measures of cognitive function. These findings advance a new understanding of healthy brain development and provide a foundation from which to assess atypical development.
Advanced Baby Imaging Laboratory, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA, douglas_dean_iii@brown.edu.
Douglas C
DC
Dean
Jonathan
J
O'Muircheartaigh
Holly
H
Dirks
Nicole
N
Waskiewicz
Lindsay
L
Walker
Ellen
E
Doernberg
Irene
I
Piryatinsky
Sean C L
SC
Deoni
D000367:Age Factors; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D066127:White Matter / Q000254:growth & development*