Maturation of marmoset cortical cytoarchitecture from birth to adolescence with ultra-high-resolution diffusion MRI

Motivation: Understanding cortical cytoarchitectural maturation in the developing non-human primate brain is crucial for insights into evolution and neurodevelopment. Goal(s): To uncover spatiotemporal changes of cortical cytoarchitectural maturation in marmoset brains from birth to adolescence with cutting-edge ultra-high-resolution multi-shell diffusion-MRI (dMRI) at 100μm isotropic resolution. Approach: Ultra-high resolution multi-shell dMRI at 9.4T was performed on marmoset brains at birth, 10-months, and 2 years. Diffusion tensor and kurtosis were fitted. Region-specific cortical microstructure maturation trendlines were delineated. Results: Our findings reveal the cortical cytoarchitectural maps with mean kurtosis and fractional anisotropy as well as distinct, region-specific temporal courses of these measures. Impact: We reveal heterogenous cortical cytoarchitecture maturation patterns in developing marmoset brains, highlighting increased mean kurtosis and decreased fractional anisotropy over time. Our study provides a foundation for understanding neurodevelopmental milestones and evolutionary aspects of cortical maturation in primate models.