The spatial organization of ascending auditory pathway microstructural maturation from infancy through adolescence using a novel fiber tracking approach.

Publication Title

bioRxiv

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-11-2024

Keywords

california; pacific neurosciences; santa monica; pni

Abstract

Auditory perception is established through experience-dependent stimuli exposure during sensitive developmental periods; however, little is known regarding the structural development of the central auditory pathway in humans. The present study characterized the regional developmental trajectories of the ascending auditory pathway from the brainstem to the auditory cortex from infancy through adolescence using a novel diffusion MRI-based tractography approach and along-tract analyses. We used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) to quantify the magnitude and timing of auditory pathway microstructural maturation. We found spatially varying patterns of white matter maturation along the length of the tract, with inferior brainstem regions developing earlier than thalamocortical projections and left hemisphere tracts developing earlier than the right. These results help to characterize the processes that give rise to functional auditory processing and may provide a baseline for detecting abnormal development.

Clinical Institute

Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)

Clinical Institute

Women & Children

Specialty

Neurosciences

Specialty

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Specialty

Pediatrics

DOI

10.1101/2024.06.10.597798

Link to Full Text

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