jeongchul kim PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Li Wang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Guorong Wu, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Lucile Bompard, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Minjeong Kim, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yasheng Chen PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dinggang Shen PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Weili Lin PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

MR has been widely utilized to identify complex morphological changes and maturation processes of postnatal brain development. However, previous studies have largely focused on global and regional volumetric changes, which may not provide detailed characterization of the nonlinear and inhomogeneous growth patterns of early brain development processes. Using non-rigid image registration and finite strain theory, brain development characteristics for the first year of life were evaluated. 

18 subjects underwent longitudinal MR imaging starting from birth, and every three months during the first year of life. Brain atlases at each time point were established using unbiased groupwise registration. Images from individual subjects at different ages were registered onto the corresponding atlas. Through the estimated global transformation matrix and local displacement fields, deformation gradient tensor was estimated across the population (0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 month). Deformation parameters, including Jacobian determinant and Green-Lagrange strain were calculated using finite strain theory. Regional characterization was performed using infant atlas with automated anatomical labeling for 90 ROIs.

Consistent with dramatic brain volume increase during the first three months of life (from 607cc to 908cc), whole brain volume expansion is observed (1.47 < Jacobian determinant (JD) < 1.76, Figure). In particular, the sensory/motor, prefrontal, temporal and occipital areas exhibit the largest volume expansion. While JD for all ROIs indicated volumetric expansion (1.02 < JD < 1.25) between 3-6 months, we noted that slight volumetric contraction also exists in sub-ROI level. The precentral, inferior frontal, occipital gyri continue to exhibit volume expansion (JC > 1.15) while partial volume contraction is observed in the parietal and prefrontal cortices (JD=1.12), which was also observed between 6-9 mons (JD=1.13). Finally, the extent of volume expansion and contraction is substantially reduced between 9-12 months (1.08 < JD < 1.17).

Regional characterization of brain volumetric expansion and contraction during the first year of life provides quantitative insight into relationship between mechanical parameters and brain development.

Our results provide biomechanical insights into early brain development, which may offer biological underpinnings of neurodevelopmental disorders. 

kim, j, Wang, L, Wu, G, Bompard, L, Kim, M, Chen, Y, Shen, D, Lin, W, Analysis of Brain Development for the First Year of Life Using Non-rigid Image Registration and Finite Strain Theory.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14016510.html