Synopsis

Keywords: Neuro: Brain, Neuro: Brain function, Neuro: Brain Connectivity

Extensive efforts have recently focused on creating comprehensive brain charts spanning the human lifespan. These endeavors are driven by the significance of this line of research, the availability of several comprehensive large-scale biomedical databases, and the development of novel tools capable of harmonizing images acquired from various MRI scanners across multiple vendors and imaging parameters. In this presentation, we will explore critical aspects of lifespan imaging studies, covering study designs, data analysis tools, and recent key findings. Since the approaches for adult studies have been well-established, we will focus on essential considerations when imaging non-sedated pediatric subjects.

Extensive efforts have recently focused on creating comprehensive brain charts spanning the human lifespan. These activities are largely driven not only by the significance of this line of research but also the availability of several comprehensive large-scale biomedical databases. These databases include, among others, the UK Biobank (https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/), Human Connectome Project (https://www.humanconnectome.org/), Lifespan Connectome Project https://www.humanconnectome.org/lifespan-studies), Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) (https://adni.loni.usc.edu/), Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study (https://abcdstudy.org/) and more recently, HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study (https://hbcdstudy.org/#). These repositories not only contain images but also encompass rich information such as genetic data, lifestyle factors, cognitive assessments, and more, providing unprecedented resources for researchers to explore potential relationships and predictions among different phenotypes. Furthermore, the development of novel imaging analysis tools capable of harmonizing images acquired from imagers across multiple vendors and sets of imaging parameters(Carre A et al., 2022) (Zuo L et al., 2021) (Guan H et al., 2021) (Grigorescu I et al., 2021) (Chen J et al., 2021) (Fortin JP et al., 2018) or acquisition methods that are less dependent on scanner types, eg. MR Fingerprinting (Ma D et al., 2013) (Korzdorfer G et al., 2019), further improve our ability to aggregate datasets from multiple studies. In this presentation, we will discuss several critical aspects of lifespan imaging studies, covering study designs, data analysis tools and current key findings. Since much progress has been made in establishing study designs, imaging approaches, and image analysis tools (e.g, freesurfer (http://surfer.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/)) for adult studies, we will focus on essential considerations when imaging non-sedated pediatric subjects. Specifically, maintaining stillness during data acquisition is crucial for obtaining high-quality MRI images, a challenge particularly pronounced in non-sedated infants, toddlers, and young children who may find it difficult to comply with this requirement. Moreover, the rapid and dynamic temporal and spatial development of the young brain during the early years presents additional complexities. Factors such as smaller brain sizes and age-related variations in contrast among different brain tissues in pediatric subjects necessitate tailored image analysis tools to address these challenges effectively. Therefore, this presentation will primarily concentrate on strategies for imaging non-sedated pediatric subjects, encompassing study designs, imaging sequences, and specialized image analysis tools. Furthermore, we will highlight results related to creating comprehensive brain charts across the human lifespan.

Acknowledgements

No acknowledgement found.

References

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