Andrew J. Degnan1,
2, Vince Lee2, Rafael C. Ceschin2, Vincent J.
Schmithorst2, Stefan Blml3, Ashok Panigrahy2
1University
of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; 2Department
of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United
States; 3Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles,
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is capable of offering insight into the developing brain. In this study, we report changes in the metabolite concentrations within the thalamus from healthy term neonates to young adults. In this study we note a more mature metabolite profile in the thalamus in neonates when compared with grey and white matter, consistent with other knowledge of the key role of thalamic development in early life. Knowledge of normal metabolic changes within this key structure explained by this study is essential in understanding thalamocortical deficits in the setting of preterm injury.
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