Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore the parametric characteristics of diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the brain development of healthy preterm infants.Materials and MethodsConventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DKI were performed in 35 preterm (29 to 36 weeks gestational age [GA]; scanned at 33 to 44 weeks postmenstrual age [PMA]) and 10 term infants (37.4 to 40.7 weeks GA; scanned at 38.3 to 42.9 weeks PMA). Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and mean kurtosis (MK) values from 8 regions of interest, including both white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM), were obtained.ResultsMK and FA values were positively correlated with PMA in most selected WM regions, such as the posterior limbs of the internal capsule (PLIC) and the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC). The positive correlation between MK value and PMA in the deep GM region was higher than that between FA and PMA. The MK value gradually decreased from the PLIC to the cerebral lobe. In addition, DKI parameters exhibited subtle differences in the parietal WM between the preterm and term control groups.ConclusionsMK may serve as a more reliable imaging marker of the normal myelination process and provide a more robust characterization of deep GM maturation.
Highlights
Brain water content reduction and myelin maturation are the most important changes in the brain development of infants
mean kurtosis (MK) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values were positively correlated with PMA in most selected white matter (WM) regions, such as the posterior limbs of the internal capsule (PLIC) and the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC)
The results show that the MK value increased gradually from the PWM to PLIC, while the FA value increased from the FWM and PWM to SCC
Summary
To explore the parametric characteristics of diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the brain development of healthy preterm infants. Data Availability Statement: All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DKI were performed in preterm (29 to weeks gestational age [GA]; scanned at 33 to 44 weeks postmenstrual age [PMA]) and 10 term infants (37.4 to 40.7 weeks GA; scanned at 38.3 to 42.9 weeks PMA). Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and mean kurtosis (MK) values from 8 regions of interest, including both white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM), were obtained
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
