Developmental Trajectory of Brain Structural Connectivity and Cognitive Function From Childhood to Adulthood
Condition: Brain Structural Connectivity; Cognitive Function
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a premier modality to investigate structures and
      functions of human brain. In studies of children and adolescents, noninvasiveness of MRI
      makes it especially applicable. Developmental trajectory of gray matter volume and cortical
      thickness has been well studied in western countries. However, significant variability of
      brain structure has been reported between Chinese and Caucasian, and the variation may also
      exist in developmental trajectory of the brain. However, the maturation processes of neural
      fiber tracts in white matter are less understood. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), which has
      been frequently used to investigate the integrity of fibertracts in the literature, is
      limited in dealing with crossing fibers. Diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) is a newly
      developed technique to improve the resolution of crossing fibers, and it is more suitable for
      detailed tractography assessment. In addition to establishing the template of brain structure
      (T1 and T2) and structural connectivity of our child, adolescent, and young adult population,
      the study has the following three aims.

        1. To describe gender effect and developmental change of brain volume of different cortical
           and subcortical regions, thickness of cortex brain, and structural connectivity (e.g.,
           frono-striatal, fronto-pareital, fronto-temporal and fronto-cerebeller tracts and
           superior longitudinal fasciculus II) across childhood through adolescent to adulthood;

        2. To examine the gender effects and developmental change of attention, executive function
           and visual memory from childhood to adulthood and whether gender moderates these
           developmental changes; and

        3. To correlate the structural connectivity and brain size and neuropsychological function
           within the same subjects.
    

Detailed description: 
      The investigators plan to recruit 140 healthy volunteers (70 males and 70 females), ages 8-21
      without current and past history of any psychiatric disorder and autistic symptoms. All the
      participants will receive psychiatric interviews (K-SADS-E/SADS) and complete the Chinese AQ
      or SRS to screen for any psychiatric disorder or autistic symptoms. They will receive the
      WAIS-III or WISC-III (depending on their age) first to ensure their full-scale IQ greater
      than 80, followed by the CPT and CANTAB for a wide range assessments of attention, executive
      functions, and memory. The MRI assessments (T1 and T2 imaging, DSI, and resting-state fMRI)
      will be subsequently arranged within 2 weeks after psychiatric/neuropsychological
      assessments.

      The investigators anticipate that this study (1) will establish the first template of brain
      anatomy and structural connectivity of children and adolescents in our population, (2) will
      be the first report on the developmental trajectory of brain of Chinese in both brain gross
      anatomy and tractography; (3) will provide evidence about how these development in brain
      structures associated with maturation in cognitive functions.
    

Observational model: Other
Time perspective: Other
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        The sample consists of 140 healthy volunteers (70 males and 70 females). The ranges of age
        are 8-21 (around 5 males and 5 females in each age group). They will be recruited from
        schools and colleges.