Features of voxel-based morphometry in children: focusing on the temporal lobes

Introduction. Advances in neuroimaging and quantitative image analysis have enhanced our understanding of cerebral anatomy. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) enables precise evaluation of structural brain changes. Early childhood is a critical period of rapid brain maturation. Research focusing on structural changes of the temporal lobes in children during normal ontogeny remains limited. Investigating these structural changes could improve diagnostics for neurological disorders such as epilepsy and neurodegenerative conditions. Investigating these structural changes in children may deepen our understanding of normal nervous system development and improve diagnostics for neurological disorders such as epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases.

Aim. To perform morphometric analysis of temporal lobes structures in neurologically healthy children and analyze age- and gender-related variations.

Methods. VBM was performed using FreeSurfer software, determining morphometric parameters volume (mm³), area (mm²), and thickness (mm) for each structure of the temporal lobes. The study included 49 MRI data from children aged between 6 months and 18 years. All participants were divided into two age groups: from 0 to 7 years (17 individuals) and from 7 to 18 years (32 individuals).

Results. Age-related differences in the volume, surface area, and thickness were observed across temporal lobes regions in children. While no statistically significant gender differences in the morphometric parameters of these structures were observed, boys exhibited a tendency for greater relative sizes (normalized to intracranial volume) compared to girls. These results indicate a complex and dynamic developmental pattern of the temporal lobes, with evidence of both symmetric and asymmetric changes.

Conclusion. MRI morphometry is shown to be an effective method for assessing temporal lobes development in neurologically healthy children in this study. The morphometric data presented here can serve as reference points for identifying deviations from normal development in children with neurodegenerative disorders.

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