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James C Harris

Publications and source records attributed to James C Harris.

56 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

In vivo quantitative proton MRSI study of brain development from childhood to adolescence.

PURPOSE: To quantify regional variations in metabolite levels in the developing brain using quantitative proton MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen healthy subjects three to 19 years old were examined by in vivo multislice proton MRSI. Concentrations of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), total choline (Cho), total creatine (Cr), and peak area ratios were determined in selected frontal and parietal gray and white matter regions, basal ganglia, and thalamus. RESULTS: In cortical gray matter regions, the ratio of NAA/Cho increased to a maximum at 10 years and decreased thereafter (P = 0.010). In contrast, in white matter, average ratios NAA/Cho increased linearly with age (P = 0.045). In individual brain regions, age-related changes in NAA/Cho were found in the putamen (P = 0.044). No significant age-related changes in NAA, Cho, Cr, or other metabolite ratios could be determined. CONCLUSION: Consistent with recent studies using other structural and functional neuroimaging techniques, our data suggest that small but significant changes occur in regional cerebral metabolism during childhood and adolescence. Non-linear age related changes of NAA/Cho in frontal and parietal areas, resembling previously reported age related changes in rates of glucose utilization and cortical volumes, may be associated with dendritic and synaptic development and regression. Linear age-related changes of NAA/Cho in white matter are also in agreement with age-related increases in white matter volumes, and may reflect progressive increases in axonal diameter and myelination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Brain glucose metabolism in Rett Syndrome.

Rett syndrome is a progressive neurologic disorder affecting girls in early childhood with loss of achieved psychomotor abilities and mental retardation. Six sedated female patients (4 to 15 years of age) with a diagnosis of Rett syndrome were studied with [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and underwent positron emission tomography scanning of the brain. Relative tracer concentrations between different areas of the brain were assessed, and results were compared with 18 age-matched control subjects. Patients were divided into two age groups: 3 to 8 years of age and 9 to 15 years of age. A relative decrease in [(18)F]FDG uptake in the lateral occipital areas in relation with the whole brain and a relative increase in the cerebellum was evident in both age groups (P < 0.001, unpaired Student t test). A relative increase in frontal tracer uptake was observed in the younger group. Sensorimotor areas and relations between cortical and subcortical structures were preserved in all patients. Changes in glucose cerebral metabolism resemble the regional distribution of normal children less than 1 year of age, likely reflecting a maturational arrest. Changes in frontal areas parallel those in postmortem N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor densities and could correlate with different clinical stages of the disease. This pattern differs from those described in Down syndrome, autism, and Alzheimer's disease.

Adolescent↗