Amide Proton Transfer (APT) MR imaging and Magnetization Transfer (MT) MR imaging of pediatric brain development.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To quantify the brain maturation process during childhood using combined amide proton transfer (APT) and conventional magnetization transfer (MT) imaging at 3 Tesla.

Methods

Eighty-two neurodevelopmentally normal children (44 males and 38 females; age range, 2-190 months) were imaged using an APT/MT imaging protocol with multiple saturation frequency offsets. The APT-weighted (APTW) and MT ratio (MTR) signals were quantitatively analyzed in multiple brain areas. Age-related changes in MTR and APTW were evaluated with a non-linear regression analysis.

Results

The APTW signals followed a decreasing exponential curve with age in all brain regions measured (R(2) = 0.7-0.8 for the corpus callosum, frontal and occipital white matter, and centrum semiovale). The m

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5747245 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature