Application of Synthetic MRI in Neonatal Brain Myelin Development Evaluation

Motivation: Conventional MRI sequences used in clinical practice cannot quantitatively evaluate the development of white matter in newborns. Goal(s): To explore the feasibility and application value of Synthetic MRI (SyMRI) in cerebral white matter myelin development of full-term neonates. Approach: Use intra-group and inter-group comparison of quantitative relaxation metrics obtained by SyMRI to evaluate the white matter myelin development level in newborns of different gestational ages. Results: Quantitative relaxation metrics derived by SyMRI can quantitatively evaluate the formation of myelin and brain maturity in full-term newborns. T1 and T2 values in different regions can reflect the differences in myelin sheath formation time. Impact: SyMRI can be used in clinical practice to investigate the myelin development of white matter in full-term newborns, and provide imaging basis for early detection and diagnosis of neonatal brain developmental dysplasia and disease conditions in newborns.