Atlas-Based T2 Relaxometry of the Developing Child Brain: Serial & Cross-Sectional Analysis

Khader M. Hasan¹, Indika S. Walimuni¹, Larry A. Kramer¹, Linda Ewing-Cobbs²

Compared to contradictory and amble volumetric reports on the developing child brain, there has been no comprehensive account of the application of brain atlas-based methods to map the regional tissue relaxation. In this work, we present for the first time a T2 relaxation vs. age atlas of the developing child brain. We have also compared the relaxation times between the right and left hemispheres. Given several previous reports on the accumulation of non-heme iron in deep subcortical and cortical gray matter (GM) structures as reflected by the decrease in T2 relaxation time, we also hypothesized that serial monitoring of the deep gray mater T2 relaxation time would offer a reliable means to assess sensitivity of for serial changes. We demonstrate weak gender effects, regional hetrogeniety, laterality, age-dependence and the sensitivity of the T2 relaxation time and utility in following development-related changes.