Development of the human cerebellum observed with high-field-strength MR imaging

Article Abstract:

Myelin is the protective sheath that surrounds nerves. Myelination of the central nervous system (CNS) occurs in stages in the fetus during the last half of pregnancy and during the first two years after birth. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can follow this development. MR could be used as a diagnostic tool to examine infants for normal brain development, but first, standards of normal development must be set. This study examined normal development in the cerebellum (a brain region important for movement and coordination) using MR. A group of 160 infants aged from 32 to 410 weeks after conception (full-term birth occurs around 40 weeks) were examined using MR. All infants with indications of abnormal development of the brain were excluded. Development was categorized and standardized into five stages. The results showed that the use of T2-weighted sequences was superior in contrast ability to T1-weighted sequences. Myelination progressed in stages similar to those found in histologic and pathologic studies. This progression was distinct and orderly, and could be separated into five stages. Progression was generally caudal to cranial, with the cerebellum being myelinated earlier than the cerebrum. This also follows the pattern of the brain areas that are genetically earliest in human development being the first ones to myelinate. These results indicate that normal development of the cerebellum follows a distinct progression that can be measured using MR. MR can then be used as a diagnostic technique to test infants for normal brain development. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Cerebellum, Myelination

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Complementary roles of PET and MR spectroscopy in the management of brain tumors

Article Abstract:

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an accepted technique for evaluating and managing brain tumors. PET works by evaluating glucose metabolism. Glucose metabolism is higher in tumors than in normal tissue. PET is thus valuable in diagnosing the presence and severity of a tumor. It is also useful in evaluations once treatment has begun. PET can show if treatment is affecting tumor growth and metabolism, information that can be used to determine the course of further treatment. PET can also be used to differentiate tumor tissue from dead brain tissue that sometimes results from radiation therapy. PET can also be used to localize high-grade areas of tumors that are to be surgically removed and to determine the effectiveness of new drugs in the treatment of brain tumors. Where as PET measures the rate of utilization of glucose, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MR) measures the steady-state levels of glucose and other molecules. A recent study examined the usefulness of these two techniques as complements of each other. MR can measure the steady state level of lactate, which can be used to more clearly interpret glucose utilization data obtained by PET. This combination of techniques can be used to find certain types of tumors that have a protective mechanism that interferes with radiation therapy. These two techniques in combination could yield important metabolic information useful in the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Tumors, PET imaging, Positron emission tomography, Brain tumors, editorial

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Variations in the in vivo P-31 MR spectra of the developing human brain during postnatal life

Article Abstract:

The rate of development of the human nervous system is studied by the detection of phosphorous (P-31) in the use of magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy. MR spectroscopy is a highly sophisticated research technique that allows the content of specific atoms to be measured in an noninvasive manner in a living organism, including humans. The detection of phosphorous within the nervous system appears to relate to the synthesis of phosphate-containing lipid (fats) molecules. The potential of MR spectroscopy in the analysis of living systems is one of the greatest areas of future research in radiology. This study included 40 fetuses, neonates (newborns) and children from 33 weeks postconception age to 6 years of age. Although preliminary, the results suggest that this method may be reliable in assessing the degree of development of nervous system structures. A maturational index for the nervous system might also be developed from this method.

Research, Case studies, Central nervous system, Neuroanatomy

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