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Open Access 01-04-2021 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Short Communication

Calendar age and puberty-related development of regional gray matter volume and white matter tracts during adolescence

Authors: Ayaka Ando, Peter Parzer, Michael Kaess, Susanne Schell, Romy Henze, Stefan Delorme, Bram Stieltjes, Franz Resch, Romuald Brunner, Julian Koenig

Published in: Brain Structure and Function | Issue 3/2021

Abstract

Background

Adolescence is a critical time for brain development. Findings from previous studies have been inconsistent, failing to distinguish the influence of pubertal status and aging on brain maturation. The current study sought to address these inconsistencies, addressing the trajectories of pubertal development and aging by longitudinally tracking structural brain development during adolescence.

Methods

Two cohorts of healthy children were recruited (cohort 1: 9–10 years old; cohort 2: 12–13 years old at baseline). MRI data were acquired for gray matter volume and white matter tract measures. To determine whether age, pubertal status, both or their interaction best modelled longitudinal data, we compared four multi-level linear regression models to the null model (general brain growth indexed by total segmented volume) using Bayesian model selection.

Results

Data were collected at baseline (n = 116), 12 months (n = 97) and 24 months (n = 84) after baseline. Findings demonstrated that the development of most regional gray matter volume, and white matter tract measures, were best modelled by age. Interestingly, precentral and paracentral regions of the cortex, as well as the accumbens demonstrated significant preference for the pubertal status model. None of the white matter tract measures were better modelled by pubertal status.

Limitations: The major limitation of this study is the two-cohort recruitment. Although this allowed a faster coverage of the age span, a complete per person trajectory over 6 years of development (9–15 years) could not be investigated.

Conclusions

Comparing the impact of age and pubertal status on regional gray matter volume and white matter tract measures, we found age to best predict longitudinal changes. Further longitudinal studies investigating the differential influence of puberty status and age on brain development in more diverse samples are needed to replicate the present results and address mechanisms underlying norm-variants in brain development.

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Title: Calendar age and puberty-related development of regional gray matter volume and white matter tracts during adolescence
Authors: Ayaka Ando
Peter Parzer
Michael Kaess
Susanne Schell
Romy Henze
Stefan Delorme
Bram Stieltjes
Franz Resch
Romuald Brunner
Julian Koenig
Publication date: 01-04-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published in: Brain Structure and Function / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 1863-2653
Electronic ISSN: 1863-2661
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-020-02208-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Calendar age and puberty-related development of regional gray matter volume and white matter tracts during adolescence

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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