Jill B. De Vis1, Manon JNL Benders2, Linda S. de Vries2, Floris Groenendaal2, Karina J. Kersbergen2, Thomas Alderliesten2, Jeroen Hendrikse1, Esben T. Petersen1
1Radiology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, Netherlands; 2Neonatology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
Human brain maturation is incomplete at birth. During development the brain undergoes anatomical and functional maturation. This includes proliferation of the neurones, their migration to specific sites and myelin formation. These processes are reflected in local cerebral energy demand. In the past, Positron Emission Tomography has been used to study glucose metabolism during different developmental stages in infants. Arterial Spin Labeling MRI provides us with a non-invasive way to assess Cerebral Blood Flow in different brain regions and can be used as well to study neonatal brain development.