Abstract
Understanding the relationship between brain and behavior in early childhood requires a probe of functional brain development. We report the first large study of regional CBF by use of arterial spin-labeling in young children. Cerebral blood flow by use of arterial spin-labeling was measured in 61 healthy children between the ages of 3 and 5 months. Blood flow maps were parcellated into 8 broadly defined anatomic regions of each cerebral hemisphere. There was no sex effect; however, group analysis demonstrated significantly greater CBF in the sensorimotor and occipital regions compared with dorsolateral prefrontal, subgenual, and orbitofrontal areas (P < .0001). A significant age effect was also identified, with the largest increase in blood flow between 3 and 5 months occurring in the following regions: orbitofrontal (P < .009), subgenual (P < .002), and inferior occipital lobe (P = .001). These results are consistent with prior histologic studies demonstrating regional variation in brain maturation and suggest that arterial spin-labeling is sensitive to regional as well as age-related differences in CBF in young children.
Highlights
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEUnderstanding the relationship between brain and behavior in early childhood requires a probe of functional brain development
A significant age effect was identified, with the largest increase in blood flow between 3 and 5 months occurring in the following regions: orbitofrontal (P Ͻ .009), subgenual (P Ͻ .002), and inferior occipital lobe (P ϭ .001). These results are consistent with prior histologic studies demonstrating regional variation in brain maturation and suggest that arterial spin-labeling is sensitive to regional as well as age-related differences in CBF in young children
Less is known about functional brain development, which prevents a full understanding of the relationships between brain structure and the increasing cognitive and motor skills that characterize early childhood
Summary
The objectives of this study were to quantify normal regional CBF through the use of ASL in healthy term-born children 3–5 months of age and to determine whether age-related changes in CBF could be detected
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