Tracking brain maturation in vivo: functional connectivity, white matter integrity, and synaptic density in developing mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Investigating dynamic changes during normal brain development is essential for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and assessing the impact of novel therapies for these conditions. Rodent models, with their shorter developmental timeline, offer a valuable alternative to humans. This study aimed to characterise brain maturation in mice using a longitudinal, multimodal imaging approach.

Methods

We conducted an in vivo imaging study on 31129/Sv mice with a complete longitudinal dataset available for 22 mice. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and [¹⁸F]SynVesT-1 PET were used to examine the development of brain functional connectivity (FC), white matter integrity, and synaptic density at three developmental

SUBMITTER: Millevert C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12032915 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature