Developmental changes in cerebral grey and white matter volume from infancy to adulthood

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2010.06.004
• Publication Date: 2010-07-01T08:48:52Z
• Authors: S. Groeschel; B. Vollmer; M.D. King; A. Connelly
• Keywords: Grey matter; Brain Development; Human brain; Voxel-based morphometry

Abstract In order to quantify human brain development in vivo, high resolution magnetic resonance images of 158 normal subjects from infancy young adulthood were studied (age range 3 months–30 years, 71 males, 87 females). Data analysed using algorithms based on voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) (an objective whole processing technique) generate global volume measures brain, grey matter (GM) and white (GM). Gender‐specific WM GM volumes is characterised a piecewise polynomial growth curve model account for the non‐linear nature development, implemented Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation. The statistical method employed this study proved be successful robust characterisation development. resulting parameter estimates lead following observations: total demonstrated undergo an initial rapid spurt. peaks during childhood decreases thereafter, whereas increases up adulthood. Relative size, markedly over age manner, increasing WM‐to‐GM ratio much observed range. addition, significant gender differences are found. general, larger males than females, with time‐dependent difference studied. Over part females tend have more relative size lower males. presented findings should taken into when investigating physiological pathological changes