PERIODS OF BRAIN GROWTH IN POSTNATAL ONTOGENESIS

Abstract

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Aim. Aim of the investigation: to determine vital brain size in different periods of post-natal ontogenesis and to reveal the main stages of brain morphogenesis. Material and Methods. The examining of the patients was carried out in 23 groups from 1 to 25 years of age. Archival MR tomograms of the patients without signs of organic lesions of the brain were verified. Results and Discussion. The enlargement of the longitudinal size of the brains occurs within 3 periods with different intensity in each. In males the following stages are marked: 1st stage (1-8 years of age), 2nd stage (9-14 years of age), 3rd stage (15- 20 years of age). In females these stages have proved to be different: 1st stage (1-6 years of age), 2nd stage (7-14 years of age), 3rd stage (15-21 years of age). After 1st year of life the length and the width of the head still enlarges distinctly up to 3-4 years of age. At the age of 5-6 years of age growth rate decreases sharply. At the age of 7-8 years of age the enlargement of head length is marked again being followed by the period of stability. This period lasts till 12 years of age in girls and till 13 years of age in boys. In juvenile period the length of the brain increases mainly in boys while in girls the growth of the brain lengthwise and breadthways is approximately similar. Conclusions. Staging of the brain growth has been determined; the starting point of the period of relative stability correlates with the beginning of the first period of the adulthood.