Meeting Banner
Abstract #0797

High B-Value HARDI Analysis in Neonates Scanned at Term-Equivalent Age Reveals Correlation Between Apparent White Matter Fibre Density and Immaturity at Birth

Jacques-Donald Tournier1, 2, Serena J. Counsell3, David A. Raffelt1, Nora Tusor4, Phumza Nongena4, A. David Edwards3, Joseph V. Hajnal3, Alan Connelly1, 2

1Advanced MRI development, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 2Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 3Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; 4Department of Medicine (Paediatrics), Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom

Preterm birth is associated with poor neurodevelopmental performance, and diffuse white matter injury is frequently observed. In this study, we investigate the effect of gestational age at birth on a new direction-specific measure, the apparent fibre density (AFD), using a high b-value, high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) acquisition. 31 neonates were scanned at term, and the AFD correlated with gestational age, regressing out post-menstrual age at scan. Significant correlations were observed bilaterally in most major white matter tracts, consistent with previous DTI findings. AFD allows the identification of direction-specific changes, making interpretation of results more straightforward than using scalar measures.

Abstract PDF Presentation Video

Keywords

according acquisition advanced advantage although amplitude anterior apparent applied approval assigned becoming bilateral birth born brain bundle capsule children close cluster coded college collinear committee computed corpus corrected correction correlation correlations covariate cross crosses crossing define denote density derived developing development difficult diffuse diffusion distinct distributed distribution equivalent ethics every excessive excluded external field final findings formed fractional frontal gestational glyph gradients granted health healthy highlight hotter identified immaturity imperial include included indicating individual infants inferior injury inspection institute intensity interpret investigate involved involvement king kingdom linearly major making many measure measures median medicine menstrual mental metrics million model modulation motion much neonates occipital optic orientation overall overlaid particular patchy performance permutations poor population positive post potential previous projections proportional radiations reduced regarding registered samples scalar scanned scanner section series serve side significantly smoothing space spherical spinal streamline streamlines subjects superior taken template term threshold thresholded tracts transform uniformly weeks white