An ode to fetal, infant, and toddler neuroimaging: Chronicling early clinical to research applications with MRI, and an introduction to an academic society connecting the field

Pollatou, Angeliki; Filippi, Courtney; Aydin, Ezra; Vaughn, Kelly A.; Thompson, Deanne K.; Korom, Marta; Dufford, Alexander J.; Howell, Brittany R.; Zöllei, Lilla; Martino, Adriana Di; Graham, Alice M.; Scheinost, Dustin; Spann, Marisa

doi:10.1016/j.dcn.2022.101083

Cited by 16 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 198 publications

(219 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Studies in the field of infant neuroimaging have steadily increased since the beginning of use for nonclinical studies in the early 1990s (an average of 160 publications per year to 530 per year in the last decade) (Pollatou et al, 2022). However, due to the challenges of infant neuroimaging, the field has experienced a lag in standardization of best practices compared to adult MRI studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

(Un)common space in infant neuroimaging studies: A systematic review of infant templates

Dufford

Hahn

Peterson

et al. 2022

Human Brain Mapping

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In neuroimaging, spatial normalization is an important step that maps an individual's brain onto a template brain permitting downstream statistical analyses. Yet, in infant neuroimaging, there remain several technical challenges that have prevented the establishment of a standardized template for spatial normalization. Thus, many different approaches are used in the literature. To quantify the popularity and variability of these approaches in infant neuroimaging studies, we performed a systematic review of infant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies from 2000 to 2020. Here, we present results from 834 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Studies were classified into (a) processing data in single subject space, (b) using an off the shelf, or "off the shelf," template, (c) creating a study specific template, or (d) using a hybrid of these methods. We found that across the studies in the systematic review, single subject space was the most used (no common space). This was the most used common space for diffusion-weighted imaging and structural MRI studies while functional MRI studies preferred off the shelf atlases. We found a pattern such that more recently published studies are more commonly using off the shelf atlases. When considering special populations, preterm studies most used single subject space while, when no special populations were being analyzed, an off the shelf template was most common. The most used off the shelf templates were the UNC Infant Atlases (24%).Using a systematic review of infant neuroimaging studies, we highlight a lack of an established "standard" template brain in these studies.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

(Un)common space in infant neuroimaging studies: A systematic review of infant templates

Dufford

Hahn

Peterson

et al. 2022

Human Brain Mapping

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Transcranial ultrasound is the most commonly used modality for evaluating brain structures and intracranial pathologies within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting (Pollatou et al, 2022). Over the past two decades, MRI has been increasingly used in neonates and infants to elucidate patterns of brain development (Damaraju et al, 2014;Kline et al, 2021;Zhang et al, 2021) and to quickly and accurately diagnose suspected intraparenchymal pathologies, such as ischemia and hemorrhage (Reddy, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 1-Tesla MRI system for dedicated brain imaging in the neonatal intensive care unit

Berson

Mozayan²,

Peterec³

et al. 2023

Front. Neurosci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of a point-of-care 1-Tesla MRI for identification of intracranial pathologies within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).MethodsClinical findings and point-of-care 1-Tesla MRI imaging findings of NICU patients (1/2021 to 6/2022) were evaluated and compared with other imaging modalities when available.ResultsA total of 60 infants had point-of-care 1-Tesla MRI; one scan was incompletely terminated due to motion. The average gestational age at scan time was 38.5 ± 2.3 weeks. Transcranial ultrasound (n = 46), 3-Tesla MRI (n = 3), or both (n = 4) were available for comparison in 53 (88%) infants. The most common indications for point-of-care 1-Tesla MRI were term corrected age scan for extremely preterm neonates (born at greater than 28 weeks gestation age, 42%), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) follow-up (33%), and suspected hypoxic injury (18%). The point-of-care 1-Tesla scan could identify ischemic lesions in two infants with suspected hypoxic injury, confirmed by follow-up 3-Tesla MRI. Using 3-Tesla MRI, two lesions were identified that were not visualized on point-of-care 1-Tesla scan: (1) punctate parenchymal injury versus microhemorrhage; and (2) small layering IVH in an incomplete point-of-care 1-Tesla MRI with only DWI/ADC series, but detectable on the follow-up 3-Tesla ADC series. However, point-of-care 1-Tesla MRI could identify parenchymal microhemorrhages, which were not visualized on ultrasound.ConclusionAlthough limited by field strength, pulse sequences, and patient weight (4.5 kg)/head circumference (38 cm) restrictions, the Embrace® point-of-care 1-Tesla MRI can identify clinically relevant intracranial pathologies in infants within a NICU setting.

show abstract

“…4 During this growth period, the blueprint of future functional and structural neural networks, adult myelination patterns, and axonal growth is designed; all of which influence future patterns of behavior, cognitive abilities, and neuropsychiatric conditions. 5,6 With this groundwork, MRI is increasingly used to assess the impact of early developmental perturbations occurring in conditions such as preterm birth, neonatal brain insults, external injuries, and fetal teratogens, [6][7][8] which correlate to developmental delays and neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, ADHD, or behavioral and executive function controls. 6,9,10 However, keeping young children still for the duration of an MRI scan can be difficult, especially since sedation cannot be used for research studies.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Motion Robust MR Fingerprinting Scan to Image Neonates With Prenatal Opioid Exposure

Badve

Sun

et al. 2023

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeTo explore whether MR fingerprinting (MRF) scans provide motion‐robust and quantitative brain tissue measurements for non‐sedated infants with prenatal opioid exposure (POE).Study TypeProspective.Population13 infants with POE (3 male; 12 newborns (age 7–65 days) and 1 infant aged 9‐months).Field Strength/Sequence3T, 3D T1‐weighted MPRAGE, 3D T2‐weighted TSE and MRF sequences.AssessmentThe image quality of MRF and MRI was assessed in a fully crossed, multiple‐reader, multiple‐case study. Sixteen image quality features in three types—image artifacts, structure and myelination visualization—were ranked by four neuroradiologists (8, 7, 5, and 8 years of experience respectively), using a 3‐point scale. MRF T1 and T2 values in 8 white matter brain regions were compared between babies younger than 1 month and babies between 1 and 2 months.Statistical TestsGeneralized estimating equations model to test the significance of differences of regional T1 and T2 values of babies under 1 month and those older. MRI and MRF image quality was assessed using Gwet's second order auto‐correlation coefficient (AC2) with confidence levels. The Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test was used to assess the difference in proportions between MRF and MRI for all features and stratified by the type of features. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe MRF of two infants were excluded in T1 and T2 value analysis due to severe motion artifact but were included in the image quality assessment. In infants under 1 month of age (N = 6), the T1 and T2 values were significantly higher compared to those between 1 and 2 months of age (N = 4). MRF images showed significantly higher image quality ratings in all three feature types compared to MRI images.ConclusionsMR Fingerprinting scans have potential to be a motion‐robust and efficient method for nonsedated infants.Level of Evidence2Technical Efficacy Stage1

show abstract

An ode to fetal, infant, and toddler neuroimaging: Chronicling early clinical to research applications with MRI, and an introduction to an academic society connecting the field

Cited by 16 publications

References 198 publications

(Un)common space in infant neuroimaging studies: A systematic review of infant templates

(Un)common space in infant neuroimaging studies: A systematic review of infant templates

A 1-Tesla MRI system for dedicated brain imaging in the neonatal intensive care unit

Motion Robust MR Fingerprinting Scan to Image Neonates With Prenatal Opioid Exposure

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About