Alteration of Human Fetal Subplate Layer and Intermediate Zone During Normal Development on MR and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:The subplate layer and intermediate zone are the precursors for neonatal white matter. The aims of this study were to evaluate 1) T1 and T2 signal intensity, and 2) FA of subplate and intermediate zone in postmortem fetuses and correlate with histology, and 3) T2 signal intensity of subplate and intermediate zone on antenatal MR imaging.

Local Tissue Growth Patterns Underlying Normal Fetal Human Brain Gyrification QuantifiedIn Utero

“…Manual segmentations of cerebral mantle tissue zones on MRI describe the different growth trajectories for the overall cerebral brain, germinal matrix, and ventricular volumes (Grossman et al, 2006; Hu et al, 2009; Kazan-Tannus et al, 2007). Additionally, manual 2D measurements of laminar thickness suggest regionally varying thickness in cortex and subplate (Widjaja et al, 2010). These studies are dependent upon selective manual measurements rather than comprehensive analysis of normal brain growth.…”

Corroboration of Normal and Abnormal Fetal Cerebral Lamination on Postmortem MR Imaging with Postmortem Examination

“…[3][4][5] Recently, we assessed the alteration in the signal intensity of the subplate layer and intermediate zone in fetuses from 18 to 25 weeks and found decreasing T1 signal intensity and increasing T2 signal intensity of the intermediate zone from approximately 22 weeks, which correlated with reduced cellularity, an increase in the thickness of deep projecting fibers, and an increase in acid mucopolysaccharide on histology. 9 In the subplate layer, there was increasing T1 signal intensity from 20 to 23 weeks and no alteration in the T2 signal intensity, which remained persistently high from 18 to 25 weeks. The increase in T1 signal intensity of the subplate layer correlated with a reduction in the extracellular matrix, an increase in cellularity, and an increase in stainable cell processes.…”

“…The increase in T1 signal intensity of the subplate layer correlated with a reduction in the extracellular matrix, an increase in cellularity, and an increase in stainable cell processes. 9 The distinct lamination pattern in the cerebral wall gradually disappears after 26 postovulatory weeks. 5 Disruption of the expected signal intensity within the cerebral lamination on MR imaging can be used as an indicator of disruption of normal development of the fetal cerebrum because the signal intensity within normal fetal cerebral lamination reflects normal migration and changes in cellularity, development, and organization of the fibers and cell processes.…”

Contributions of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging to Fetal and Neonatal Imaging

“…15,19 A more recent study of postmortem fetuses, however, demonstrated an increase in anisotropy between 18 and 25 gestational weeks. 24 The different findings of FIGURE 1. Normal multilayered appearance of the developing fetal brain on coronal ultrafast T2-weighted image of the frontal lobes.…”

“…15 The subplate is also characterized by lower anisotropy compared with the underlying intermediate zone. 24 Although low in anisotropy, the subplate fibers appear to be primarily radially oriented. 17 Two studies on postmortem fetuses have observed a decrease in anisotropy in the frontal subplate between approximately 17 and 30 gestational weeks.…”