Abstract
We describe a framework for creating a time-resolved group average template of the developing brain using advanced multi-shell high angular resolution diffusion imaging data, for use in group voxel or fixel-wise analysis, atlas-building, and related applications. This relies on the recently proposed multi-shell multi-tissue constrained spherical deconvolution (MSMT-CSD) technique. We decompose the signal into one isotropic component and two anisotropic components, with response functions estimated from cerebrospinal fluid and white matter in the youngest and oldest participant groups, respectively. We build an orientationally-resolved template of those tissue components from data acquired from 113 babies between 33 and 44 weeks postmenstrual age, imaged as part of the Developing Human Connectome Project. These data were split into weekly groups, and registered to the corresponding group average templates using a previously-proposed non-linear diffeomorphic registration framework, designed to align orientation density functions (ODF). This framework was extended to allow the use of the multiple contrasts provided by the multi-tissue decomposition, and shown to provide superior alignment. Finally, the weekly templates were registered to the same common template to facilitate investigations into the evolution of the different components as a function of age. The resulting multi-tissue atlas provides insights into brain development and accompanying changes in microstructure, and forms the basis for future longitudinal investigations into healthy and pathological white matter maturation.
Highlights
Preterm birth and associated complications are the leading cause of child mortality worldwide, accounting for 965,000 neonatal deaths annually (Liu et al, 2015)
These data were split into weekly groups, and registered to the corresponding group average templates using a previously-proposed non-linear diffeomorphic registration framework, designed to align orientation density functions (ODF)
We describe a framework for building an unbiased, timeand orientation-resolved group average template of white matter (WM) maturation based on advanced diffusion MRI methods, in a cohort of neonates scanned over a range of ages, during which large changes in brain volume, shape and contrast occur
Summary
Preterm birth and associated complications are the leading cause of child mortality worldwide, accounting for 965,000 neonatal deaths annually (Liu et al, 2015). Neuroimaging can play a crucial role in the characterisation and diagnosis of abnormal brain maturation, guide counselling and inform on possible prevention and the development of treatments (Molnar and Rutherford, 2013; Kwon et al, 2014; Counsell et al, 2014). This requires the development of specific imaging markers that capture developmental processes such as cell proliferation, migration, and maturation
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