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Microstructural Characterization of Short Association Fibers Related to Long‐Range White Matter Tracts in Normative Development

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Microstructural Characterization of Short Association Fibers Related to Long‐Range White Matter Tracts in Normative Development
Authors: Chloe Cho, Maxime Chamberland, Francois Rheault, Daniel Moyer, Bennett A. Landman, Kurt G. Schilling
Source: Hum Brain Mapp
Publisher Information: Wiley, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Subject Terms: Male, Adult, Adolescent, microstructure, neuro-development, tractography, diffusion MRI, Young Adult, White Matter/growth & development, Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods, Humans, superficial white matter, Female, Brain/growth & development, Child, Preschool, Research Article
Description: Short association fibers (SAFs) in the superficial white matter play a key role in mediating local cortical connections but have not been well‐studied as innovations in whole‐brain diffusion tractography have only recently been developed to study superficial white matter. Characterizing SAFs and their relationship to long‐range white matter tracts is crucial to advance our understanding of neurodevelopment during the period from childhood to young adulthood. This study aims to (1) map SAFs in relation to long‐range white matter tracts, (2) characterize typical neurodevelopmental changes across these white matter pathways, and (3) investigate the relationship between microstructural changes in SAFs and long‐range white matter tracts. Leveraging a cohort of 616 participants ranging in age from 5.6 to 21.9 years old, we performed quantitative diffusion tractography and advanced diffusion modeling with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI). Robust linear regression models were applied to analyze microstructural features, including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), intracellular volume fraction (ICVF), isotropic volume fraction (ISOVF), and orientation dispersion index (ODI). Our results reveal that both SAFs and long‐range tracts exhibit similar overall developmental patterns, characterized by negative associations of MD, AD, and RD with age and positive associations of FA, ICVF, ISOVF, and ODI with age. Notably, FA, AD, and ODI exhibit significant differences between SAFs and long‐range tracts, suggesting distinct neurodevelopmental trajectories between superficial and deep white matter. In addition, significant differences were found in MD, RD, and ICVF between males and females, highlighting variations in neurodevelopment. This normative study provides insights into typical microstructural changes of SAFs and long‐range white matter tracts during development, laying a foundation for future research to investigate atypical development and dysfunction in disease pathology.
Document Type: Article
Other literature type
Language: English
ISSN: 1097-0193
1065-9471
DOI: 10.1002/hbm.70255
Access URL: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/9d429402-9452-4418-9389-f154953de79f
https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.70255
Rights: CC BY
Accession Number: edsair.doi.dedup.....5b5d044e9dff5557bda0b7815da5bc25
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
Abstract:Short association fibers (SAFs) in the superficial white matter play a key role in mediating local cortical connections but have not been well‐studied as innovations in whole‐brain diffusion tractography have only recently been developed to study superficial white matter. Characterizing SAFs and their relationship to long‐range white matter tracts is crucial to advance our understanding of neurodevelopment during the period from childhood to young adulthood. This study aims to (1) map SAFs in relation to long‐range white matter tracts, (2) characterize typical neurodevelopmental changes across these white matter pathways, and (3) investigate the relationship between microstructural changes in SAFs and long‐range white matter tracts. Leveraging a cohort of 616 participants ranging in age from 5.6 to 21.9 years old, we performed quantitative diffusion tractography and advanced diffusion modeling with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI). Robust linear regression models were applied to analyze microstructural features, including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), intracellular volume fraction (ICVF), isotropic volume fraction (ISOVF), and orientation dispersion index (ODI). Our results reveal that both SAFs and long‐range tracts exhibit similar overall developmental patterns, characterized by negative associations of MD, AD, and RD with age and positive associations of FA, ICVF, ISOVF, and ODI with age. Notably, FA, AD, and ODI exhibit significant differences between SAFs and long‐range tracts, suggesting distinct neurodevelopmental trajectories between superficial and deep white matter. In addition, significant differences were found in MD, RD, and ICVF between males and females, highlighting variations in neurodevelopment. This normative study provides insights into typical microstructural changes of SAFs and long‐range white matter tracts during development, laying a foundation for future research to investigate atypical development and dysfunction in disease pathology.
ISSN:10970193
10659471
DOI:10.1002/hbm.70255