Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI
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J Magn Reson Imaging · Feb 2002
In vivo quantitative proton MRSI study of brain development from childhood to adolescence.
To quantify regional variations in metabolite levels in the developing brain using quantitative proton MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). ⋯ Consistent with recent studies using other structural and functional neuroimaging techniques, our data suggest that small but significant changes occur in regional cerebral metabolism during childhood and adolescence. Non-linear age related changes of NAA/Cho in frontal and parietal areas, resembling previously reported age related changes in rates of glucose utilization and cortical volumes, may be associated with dendritic and synaptic development and regression. Linear age-related changes of NAA/Cho in white matter are also in agreement with age-related increases in white matter volumes, and may reflect progressive increases in axonal diameter and myelination.