Microstructural maturation of white matter tracts in encephalopathic neonates

PurposeThis study aims to apply neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) to measure white matter microstructural features during early development.MethodsNODDI parameters were measured in twelve newborns and thirteen 6-month infants, all with perinatal clinical encephalopathy.ResultsBetween 0 and 6 months, there were significant differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) for all tracts; in neurite density for internal capsules, optic radiations, and splenium; and in orientation dispersion for anterior limb of internal capsule and optic radiations. There were no appreciable differences in NODDI parameters related to outcome.ConclusionNODDI may allow more detailed characterization of microstructural maturation than FA.