In vivo high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging of the developing neonatal rat cortex and its relationship to glial and dendritic maturation.

ABSTRACT: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is increasingly utilized as a sensitive tool for studying brain maturation and injuries during the neonatal period. In this study, we acquired high resolution in vivo DTI data from neonatal rat brains from postnatal day 2 (P2) to P10 and correlated temporal changes in DTI derived markers with microstructural organization of glia, axons, and dendrites during this critical period of brain development. Group average images showed dramatic temporal changes in brain morphology, fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). Most cortical regions showed a monotonous decline in FA and an initial increase in MD from P2 to P8 that declined slightly by P10. Qualitative histology revealed rapid maturation of the glial and dendritic networks in the developing cort

SUBMITTER: Breu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6565480 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature