Abstract #3421

Evaluating Neurite Density and Orientation in the White Matter of Youth Born with Congenital Heart Disease

Kaitlyn Easson¹, Jean-Christophe Houde², Guillaume Gilbert³, Kimberly Fontes¹, Charles Rohlicek⁴, Christine Saint-Martin⁵, Annette Majnemer⁶, Maxime Descoteaux², and Marie Brossard-Racine¹

¹Advances in Brain & Child Development Research Laboratory, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada, ²Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Lab, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada, ³MR Clinical Science, Philips Healthcare, Markham, ON, Canada, ⁴Division of Cardiology, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada, ⁵Division of Radiology, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada, ⁶School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

In this study, neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) was used to quantify neurite density and orientation in white matter tracts in youth born with congenital heart disease (CHD). Neurite density index was significantly lower in youth born with CHD as compared to control youth in numerous, widespread association tracts. There were no regional differences in orientation dispersion index that survived correction for multiple comparisons. Our findings suggest a predominant role for lower neurite density, rather than lower neurite coherence and organization, in the white matter abnormalities observed in youth born with CHD.

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