Mineralization of the Deep Gray Matter with Age: A Retrospective Review with Susceptibility-Weighted MR Imaging

Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is an advanced MR imaging sequence that can be implemented at high resolution. This sequence can be performed on conventional MR imaging scanners and is very sensitive to mineralization. The purpose of this study was to establish the course of mineralization in...

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Published in:	American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 176 - 183
Main Authors:	Harder, S.L, Hopp, K.M, Ward, H, Neglio, H, Gitlin, J, Kido, D
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Oak Brook, IL Am Soc Neuroradiology 01-01-2008 American Society of Neuroradiology
Subjects:	Adolescent Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Aging - metabolism Aging - pathology Biological and medical sciences Brain Brain - cytology Brain - metabolism Child Child, Preschool Female Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology Human Humans Image Enhancement - methods Infant Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects) Learning. Memory Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods Male Medical sciences Memory Middle Aged Minerals - metabolism Nervous system Neurons - cytology Neurons - metabolism Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry Psychology. Psychophysiology Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry Retrospective Studies Nervous system diseases Radiodiagnosis Follow up study Mineralization Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging Magnetic susceptibility
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Summary:	Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is an advanced MR imaging sequence that can be implemented at high resolution. This sequence can be performed on conventional MR imaging scanners and is very sensitive to mineralization. The purpose of this study was to establish the course of mineralization in the deep gray matter with age by using SWI. We retrospectively reviewed susceptibility-weighted images of 134 patients (age range, 1 to 88 years). Inclusion criteria comprised a normal conventional MR imaging (T1, T2, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences). We statistically analyzed the relative signal intensities of the globus pallidus, putamen, substantia nigra, caudate nucleus, red nucleus, and thalamus for correlation with age. The putamen was graded according to a modified scale, based on previous work that described a systematic pattern of mineralization with age. Bands of hypointensity in the globus pallidus, dubbed "waves," were also evaluated. We documented decreasing intensity (ie, increasing mineralization) with age in all deep gray matter areas analyzed. We confirmed the age-related posterolateral to anteromedial progression of mineralization in the putamen. Characteristic medial and lateral bands of mineralization were exhibited in the globus pallidus in all children and young adults older than 3 years. Finally, an increase in the number of "waves" present in the globus pallidus was associated with increased age by category. This study documents the course and pattern of mineralization in the deep gray matter with age, as determined by SWI. These findings may play a role in evaluating diseased brains in the future.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 ObjectType-Review-3 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-1 ObjectType-Feature-2
ISSN:	0195-6108 1936-959X
DOI:	10.3174/ajnr.A0770