Kelly N. Botteron, M.D.

Stefan Skare¹, Enrico Avventi¹, Magnus Mårtensson², Ola Norbeck¹, Mathias Engström¹, Maria Sandell¹, and Chen Wang^1
1Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden, ²EMEA Research & Collaboration, GE, Stockholm, Sweden

A multi-contrast propeller sequence with an improved retrospective 3D motion correction was developed and applied to pediatric patients, aiming for fast and robust exams without the use of general anesthesia

Andrew L. Alexander^1,2, Janet E Lainhart¹, Audra Sterling¹, Brittany G Travers¹, Abigail Freeman¹, and Steven R. Kecskemeti^1
1Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States, ²Medical Physics and Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States

Head motion is a significant challenge particularly for neuroimaging studies of young and intellectually impaired children. This study investigates the application of a retrospective motion correction algorithm for 3D T1-weighted imaging using MPnRAGE, which is an inversion recovery prepared method with 3D radial k-space sampling. This correction significantly improved the quality of MPnRAGE images obtained on four children that moved during their studies. The correction did not cause any deleterious effects on image quality.

Peter J. Anderson, Ph.D.

Ren Lili¹, Shizhen Chen¹, Haidong Li¹, Zhiying Zhang¹, Jianping Zhong¹, and Xin Zhou^1
1National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Wuhan, Hubei, China

A multifunctional liposome, which contained Gd-DOTA (MRI probe), paclitexal (PTX) and c(RGDyk) (targeting peptide), was prepared. This nanoparticle could utilize the insolubility of PTX, reduce the side effect of FDA-approved formulation of PTX-Cre (Taxol®), and improve the drug delivery efficiency to tumor.

Andrea S. Miele¹, Holly Dirks², Dannielle John Whiley², Terry Harrison-Goldman¹, Viren D'Sa³, and Sean Deoni^2,4
1Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States, ²Advanced Baby Imaging Laboratory, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States, ³Pediatrics, Neurodevelopmental Center, MHRI, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States, ⁴Pediatric Radiology, Children's Hospital Colorado, Colorado, United States

Phonological processing development is considered essential for reading acquisition. Deficient phonological awareness is considered a core feature of the specific learning disability, dyslexia. Despite being neurobiological in origin, the underlying mechanisms that lead to deficits in phonological processing and dyslexia remain elusive. Results support a positive relationship between myelin content and performance on a measure of phonological awareness in very young children. Underlying aspects of phonological awareness appear related to distinct WM correlates not only in the frontal subcortical system but also in the temporal lobe, suggesting involvement of auditory and visual processing systems as well.

Claire E Kelly¹, Deanne K Thompson^1,2, Jian Chen^1,3, Alexander Leemans⁴, Christopher L Adamson¹, Terrie E Inder⁵, Jeanie LY Cheong^1,6, Lex W Doyle^1,6, and Peter J Anderson^1,7
1Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, ²Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, ³Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, ⁴Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, ⁵Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States, ⁶Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, ⁷University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Children born very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks’ gestation) are at risk of neurodevelopmental delays. We aimed to determine whether whole brain Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) values are associated with neurodevelopment in 145 VPT 7-year-olds. Decreasing fractional anisotropy in widespread fiber tracts correlated with poorer cognitive, motor, academic and behavioral/emotional outcomes. In many of the same tracts, increasing axon dispersion correlated with poorer motor outcome, while decreasing axon density correlated with poorer behavioural/emotional outcome. DTI combined with NODDI enables more specific identification of the microstructural factors contributing to neurodevelopmental outcomes in VPT children.

Sean Deoni¹, Jonathan O'Muircheartaigh², Holly Dirks¹, and Douglas C Dean^1
1Brown University, Providence, RI, United States, ²NeuroImaging, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

An important neurodevelopmental processes during early childhood is the maturation of the myelinated white matter. Though prior brain imaging studies in older children and adults have linked white matter development with cognitive maturation and intelligence, few studies have examined how these processes are related throughout early development. Here we show the profile of white matter myelination across the first 5 years of life is strongly related to cognitive ability, even when controlling for SES, gestation, and birth weight. Specifically, higher ability children exhibit slower but more prolonged early development, resulting in overall increased myelin by ~3 years of age.