An inverse modelling study on the local volume changes during early morphoelastic growth of the fetal human brain

We take a data-driven approach to deducing the local volume changes accompanying early development of fetal human brain. Our uses brain atlas MRI data for geometric in representative cases. Using nonlinear continuum mechanics model morphoelastic growth, we invert deformation obtained from registration arrive at field growth gradient tensor. inversion combination direct and adjoint methods computing gradients objective function while constraining optimization by physics growth. thus infer that obeys laws The errors between forward displacement solution driven inverted are found be smaller than reference well over an order magnitude, can even lower. results reproduce three-dimensional during with controllable error. findings confirm is dominated plane cortical expansion rather thickness increase. points significance our work are: A registration. Reproduction To knowledge, first confirmation underlying theory in-plane radially distributed, increasing along ventricular-cortical direction.