title: Normal development.
abstract: Numerous events are involved in brain development, some of which are detected by neuroimaging. Major changes in brain morphology are depicted by brain imaging during the fetal period while changes in brain composition can be demonstrated in both pre- and postnatal periods. Although ultrasonography and computed tomography can show changes in brain morphology, these techniques are insensitive to myelination that is one of the most important events occurring during brain maturation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is therefore the method of choice to evaluate brain maturation. MRI also gives insight into the microstructure of brain tissue through diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. Metabolic changes are also part of brain maturation and are assessed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Understanding and knowledge of the different steps in brain development are required to be able to detect morphologic and structural changes on neuroimaging. Consequently alterations in normal development can be depicted.
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Service, Hôpital la Timone, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France. Electronic address: nadine.girard@ap-hm.fr.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Girard
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Radiology Imaging Service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Strasbourg, Hôpital de Hautepierre and Laboratoire ICube, Université de Strasbourg-CNRS, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Meriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koob
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Service, Hôpital la Timone, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Herv
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brunel
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D059906:Neuroimaging
keywords: MR spectroscopy; MRI; brain; diffusion MRI; human development