Microstructural maturation of white matter tracts in encephalopathic neonates.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to apply neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) to measure white matter microstructural features during early development.


METHODS
NODDI parameters were measured in twelve newborns and thirteen 6-month infants, all with perinatal clinical encephalopathy.


RESULTS
Between 0 and 6 months, there were significant differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) for all tracts; in neurite density for internal capsules, optic radiations, and splenium; and in orientation dispersion for anterior limb of internal capsule and optic radiations. There were no appreciable differences in NODDI parameters related to outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
NODDI may allow more detailed characterization of microstructural maturation than FA.
Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 510 S. Kingshighway Blvd., Campus Box 8131, Saint Louis, MO 63110. Electronic address: apkansagra@gmail.com.
Akash P
AP
Kansagra
Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, M-391, San Francisco, CA 94143.
Marc C
MC
Mabray
Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143.
Donna M
DM
Ferriero
Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, M-391, San Francisco, CA 94143; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143.
A James
AJ
Barkovich
Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, M-391, San Francisco, CA 94143.
Duan
D
Xu
Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, M-391, San Francisco, CA 94143.
Christopher P
CP
Hess
D016880:Anisotropy; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016501:Neurites; D066127:White Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development
Brain; Diffusion tensor imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging; Maturation; Microstructure; Pediatrics