MRI reveals myelination patterns across early childhood, shedding light on neurodevelopmental outcomes in both term- and preterm-born children. A study published in Radiology analyzed MRI scans of 307 term-born children and 105 preterm-born infants, offering insights into the role of myelination in behavioral development. The research highlights the potential of T1-weighted to T2-weighted signal intensity ratio as a marker for developmental disorders. Myelination, the process of forming fatty protein coverings around brain nerve cells, is crucial for efficient electrical impulse transmission. Abnormal myelination during infancy can lead to long-term developmental disorders. Prior studies have focused on the neonatal stage, but this research characterized myelination across early childhood. The study collected MRI data from 307 normal term-born infants and 105 preterm infants, extracting T1w/T2w signal intensity ratios to estimate brain myelin content. Spatiotemporal maps of normal myelination were created, revealing seven distinct patterns. One pattern was linked to myelination-related changes in autism-related behaviors. The analysis of preterm-born infants showed slower myelination rates, disrupted regional patterns, and delayed fine motor skills. The highest myelination rates occurred between 0.5 and 1 month of age, a critical period for myelin development. The study provides a normative template of myelination patterns and emphasizes its role in early brain maturation and neurodevelopmental outcomes. It paves the way for future research to explore the causal link between early brain maturation and long-term functional outcomes. The study addresses a significant gap in the literature, as longitudinal studies capturing the critical postnatal brain development window are limited. Future research should harmonize imaging protocols and functional assessments across term and preterm cohorts to enhance our understanding of myelination's impact on long-term functional outcomes.
