Hitit Medical Journal (Oct 2021)
Diffusion Changes in Cerebral White Matter: The Effect of Age and Gender
Abstract
Objective: Myelination is a dynamic process that continues after birth. One of the MR imaging techniques diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and measurement of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is a guide for normal brain development. The aim of this study is to show the role of DWI and ADC maps in monitoring the normal development of myelination in children, and to determine ADC values in corpus callosum (CC) and temporal regions (TL). Material and Method: A total of 112 children (mean age 98 ±52.9 months), 57 of whom were male, were included in the retrospective study in which MRI images were reevaluated. Participants were divided into four age groups between 0 and 202 months. DWI and ADC maps were obtained from both sides of CC and parahippocampal sulcus white matter in both TL. Averages of ADC values were determined. Results: It was found that ADC values decreased in all measurement areas as the age progressed (p lt; 0.005). This change was significant on both sides of the TL and left half of the CC genu and body. ADC value did not change according to gender and measured side. Conclusion: ADC values decrease with progressive increase of age. Using ADC values of CC and TL, the development of normal myelination in the brain and changes caused by puberty can be distinguished from other pathologies.
