Imaging of Neonatal Brain Development Using Arterial Spin Labeling MRI.

Jill B. De Vis¹, Manon JNL Benders², Linda S. de Vries², Floris Groenendaal², Karina J. Kersbergen², Thomas Alderliesten², Jeroen Hendrikse¹, Esben T. Petersen¹

Human brain maturation is incomplete at birth. During development the brain undergoes anatomical and functional maturation. This includes proliferation of the neurones, their migration to specific sites and myelin formation. These processes are reflected in local cerebral energy demand. In the past, Positron Emission Tomography has been used to study glucose metabolism during different developmental stages in infants. Arterial Spin Labeling MRI provides us with a non-invasive way to assess Cerebral Blood Flow in different brain regions and can be used as well to study neonatal brain development.