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Peyton C, Einspieler C, Fjørtoft T, Adde L, Schreiber MD, Drobyshevsky A, Marks JD. Correlates of Normal and Abnormal General Movements in Infancy and Long-Term Neurodevelopment of Preterm Infants: Insights from Functional Connectivity Studies at Term Equivalence. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E834. [PMID: 32204407 PMCID: PMC7141532 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9030834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm infants born before 32 weeks gestation have increased risks for neurodevelopmental impairment at two years of age. How brain function differs between preterm infants with normal or impaired development is unknown. However, abnormal spontaneous motor behavior at 12-15 weeks post-term age is associated with neurodevelopmental impairment. We imaged brain blood oxygen level-dependent signals at term-equivalent age in 62 infants born at <32 weeks gestation and explored whether resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) differed with performances on the General Movement Assessment (GMA) at 12-15 weeks, and Bayley III scores at two years of corrected age. Infants with aberrant general movements exhibited decreased rsFC between the basal ganglia and regions in parietal and frontotemporal lobes. Infants with normal Bayley III cognitive scores exhibited increased rsFC between the basal ganglia and association cortices in parietal and occipital lobes compared with cognitively impaired children. Infants with normal motor scores exhibited increased rsFC between the basal ganglia and visual cortices, compared with children with motor impairment. Thus, the presence of abnormal general movements is associated with region-specific differences in rsFC at term. The association of abnormal long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes with decreased rsFC between basal ganglia and sub-score specific cortical regions may provide biomarkers of neurodevelopmental trajectory and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Peyton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60422, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Science and the Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Christa Einspieler
- Research Unit IDN, Interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz 8036, Austria;
| | - Toril Fjørtoft
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; (T.F.); (L.A.)
- Clinics of Clinical Services, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, 7006 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Lars Adde
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; (T.F.); (L.A.)
- Clinics of Clinical Services, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, 7006 Trondheim, Norway
| | | | | | - Jeremy D. Marks
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60422, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60422, USA
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Electroencephalographic functional connectivity in extreme prematurity: a pilot study based on graph theory. Pediatr Res 2020; 87:753-759. [PMID: 31726463 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0621-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Connectivity studies based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provided new insights in neonatal brain development but cannot be performed at bedside in the clinical setting. The electroencephalogram (EEG) connectivity has been less studied, particularly using the new approach based on graph theory. This study aimed to explore the functional EEG connectivity using graph theory analysis at an early post-conception age in extremely premature and late-preterm babies free of medical complications and overt brain damage. METHODS Sixteen neonates (8 extremely low gestational age (ELGA) and 8 late-preterm infants), both groups having performed multichannel EEG recordings at 35 weeks' post-conception, were recruited in a single tertiary-level neonatal intensive care unit and well-baby nursery, respectively. Global (i.e., small-worldness) and local (i.e., clustering and strength) connectivity measures were calculated on a single-subject connectivity matrix of EEG data. RESULTS Both ELGA and late-preterm infants showed small-worldness organization at 35 weeks' post-conception. The ELGA group had the strength parameter of the theta frequency band lower in the right than in the left hemisphere. This asymmetry did not emerge in the late-preterm group. Moreover, the mean strength parameter was significantly greater in the right hemisphere in the late preterms than in the ELGA group. CONCLUSION EEG connectivity measures could represent an index of left-to-right maturation and developmental disadvantage in extremely preterm infants.
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He T, Kong R, Holmes AJ, Nguyen M, Sabuncu MR, Eickhoff SB, Bzdok D, Feng J, Yeo BTT. Deep neural networks and kernel regression achieve comparable accuracies for functional connectivity prediction of behavior and demographics. Neuroimage 2020; 206:116276. [PMID: 31610298 PMCID: PMC6984975 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is significant interest in the development and application of deep neural networks (DNNs) to neuroimaging data. A growing literature suggests that DNNs outperform their classical counterparts in a variety of neuroimaging applications, yet there are few direct comparisons of relative utility. Here, we compared the performance of three DNN architectures and a classical machine learning algorithm (kernel regression) in predicting individual phenotypes from whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) patterns. One of the DNNs was a generic fully-connected feedforward neural network, while the other two DNNs were recently published approaches specifically designed to exploit the structure of connectome data. By using a combined sample of almost 10,000 participants from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) and UK Biobank, we showed that the three DNNs and kernel regression achieved similar performance across a wide range of behavioral and demographic measures. Furthermore, the generic feedforward neural network exhibited similar performance to the two state-of-the-art connectome-specific DNNs. When predicting fluid intelligence in the UK Biobank, performance of all algorithms dramatically improved when sample size increased from 100 to 1000 subjects. Improvement was smaller, but still significant, when sample size increased from 1000 to 5000 subjects. Importantly, kernel regression was competitive across all sample sizes. Overall, our study suggests that kernel regression is as effective as DNNs for RSFC-based behavioral prediction, while incurring significantly lower computational costs. Therefore, kernel regression might serve as a useful baseline algorithm for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong He
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Sleep and Cognition, N.1 Institute for Health and Memory Networks Program, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ru Kong
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Sleep and Cognition, N.1 Institute for Health and Memory Networks Program, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Avram J Holmes
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Minh Nguyen
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Sleep and Cognition, N.1 Institute for Health and Memory Networks Program, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mert R Sabuncu
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Simon B Eickhoff
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Danilo Bzdok
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University, Germany; JARA-BRAIN, Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance, Germany; Parietal Team, INRIA, Neurospin, Bat 145, CEA Saclay, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jiashi Feng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - B T Thomas Yeo
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Sleep and Cognition, N.1 Institute for Health and Memory Networks Program, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Hartley C, Farmer S, Berthouze L. Temporal ordering of input modulates connectivity formation in a developmental neuronal network model of the cortex. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0226772. [PMID: 31923200 PMCID: PMC6953763 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm infant brain activity is discontinuous; bursts of activity recorded using EEG (electroencephalography), thought to be driven by subcortical regions, display scale free properties and exhibit a complex temporal ordering known as long-range temporal correlations (LRTCs). During brain development, activity-dependent mechanisms are essential for synaptic connectivity formation, and abolishing burst activity in animal models leads to weak disorganised synaptic connectivity. Moreover, synaptic pruning shares similar mechanisms to spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP), suggesting that the timing of activity may play a critical role in connectivity formation. We investigated, in a computational model of leaky integrate-and-fire neurones, whether the temporal ordering of burst activity within an external driving input could modulate connectivity formation in the network. Connectivity evolved across the course of simulations using an approach analogous to STDP, from networks with initial random connectivity. Small-world connectivity and hub neurones emerged in the network structure—characteristic properties of mature brain networks. Notably, driving the network with an external input which exhibited LRTCs in the temporal ordering of burst activity facilitated the emergence of these network properties, increasing the speed with which they emerged compared with when the network was driven by the same input with the bursts randomly ordered in time. Moreover, the emergence of small-world properties was dependent on the strength of the LRTCs. These results suggest that the temporal ordering of burst activity could play an important role in synaptic connectivity formation and the emergence of small-world topology in the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Hartley
- Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Simon Farmer
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luc Berthouze
- Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, United Kingdom
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Variable functional connectivity architecture of the preterm human brain: Impact of developmental cortical expansion and maturation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 117:1201-1206. [PMID: 31888985 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1907892117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional connectivity (FC) is known to be individually unique and to reflect cognitive variability. Although FC can serve as a valuable correlate and potential predictor of (patho-) physiological nervous function in high-risk constellations, such as preterm birth, templates for individualized FC analysis are lacking, and knowledge about the capacity of the premature brain to develop FC variability is limited. In a cohort of prospectively recruited, preterm-born infants undergoing magnetic resonance imaging close to term-equivalent age, we show that the overall pattern could be reliably detected with a broad range of interindividual FC variability in regions of higher-order cognitive functions (e.g., association cortices) and less interindividual variability in unimodal regions (e.g., visual and motor cortices). However, when comparing the preterm and adult brains, some brain regions showed a marked shift in variability toward adulthood. This shift toward greater variability was strongest in cognitive networks like the attention and frontoparietal networks and could be partially predicted by developmental cortical expansion. Furthermore, FC variability was reflected by brain tissue characteristics indicating cortical maturation. Brain regions with high functional variability (e.g., the inferior frontal gyrus and temporoparietal junction) displayed lower cortical maturation at birth compared with somatosensory cortices. In conclusion, the overall pattern of interindividual variability in FC is already present preterm; however, some brain regions show increased variability toward adulthood, identifying characteristic patterns, such as in cognitive networks. These changes are related to postnatal cortical expansion and maturation, allowing for environmental and developmental factors to translate into marked individual differences in FC.
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Palermo L, MacDonald A, Limback E, Robertson L, Howe S, Geberhiwot T, Romani C. Emotional health in early-treated adults with phenylketonuria (PKU): Relationship with cognitive abilities and blood phenylalanine. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2019; 42:142-159. [DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2019.1696753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liana Palermo
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
- Inherited Metabolic Disorders Service, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Anita MacDonald
- Dietetic Department, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ellie Limback
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Louise Robertson
- Inherited Metabolic Disorders Service, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sarah Howe
- Inherited Metabolic Disorders Service, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tarekegn Geberhiwot
- Inherited Metabolic Disorders Service, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Cristina Romani
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
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Bouyssi-Kobar M, De Asis-Cruz J, Murnick J, Chang T, Limperopoulos C. Altered Functional Brain Network Integration, Segregation, and Modularity in Infants Born Very Preterm at Term-Equivalent Age. J Pediatr 2019; 213:13-21.e1. [PMID: 31358292 PMCID: PMC6765421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the functional network organization of the brain in infants born very preterm at term-equivalent age and to relate network alterations to known clinical risk factors for poor neurologic outcomes in prematurity. STUDY DESIGN Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 66 infants born very preterm (gestational age <32 weeks and birth weight <1500 g) and 66 healthy neonates born at full term, acquired as part of a prospective, cross-sectional study, were compared at term age using graph theory. Features of resting-state networks, including integration, segregation, and modularity, were derived from correlated hemodynamic activity arising from 93 cortical and subcortical regions of interest and compared between groups. RESULTS Despite preserved small-world topology and modular organization, resting-state networks of infants born very preterm at term-equivalent age were less segregated and less integrated than those of infants born full term. Chronic respiratory illness (ie, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the length of oxygen support) was associated with decreased global efficiency and increased path lengths (P < .05). In both cohorts, 4 functional modules with similar composition were observed (parietal/temporal, frontal, subcortical/limbic, and occipital). The density of connections in 3 of the 4 modules was decreased in the very preterm network (P < .01); however, in the occipital/visual cortex module, connectivity was increased in infants born very preterm relative to control infants (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Early exposure to the ex utero environment is associated with altered resting-state network functional organization in infants born very preterm at term-equivalent age, likely reflecting disrupted brain maturational processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Bouyssi-Kobar
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC,Institute for Biomedical Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Josepheen De Asis-Cruz
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Jonathan Murnick
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Taeun Chang
- Department of Neurology, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC.
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Hodkinson DJ, Mongerson CRL, Jennings RW, Bajic D. Neonatal functional brain maturation in the context of perioperative critical care and pain management: A case report. Heliyon 2019; 5:e02350. [PMID: 31485532 PMCID: PMC6716350 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Remarkable plasticity during the first year of life imparts heighted vulnerability of the developing infant brain. Application of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in infants may contribute to our understanding of neuroplastic changes associated with therapeutic interventions and/or brain insults. In addition to showing clinically relevant incidental brain MRI findings, the objective of our pilot study was to test feasibility of rs-fMRI methods at this early age in the context of pediatric perioperative critical care. Methods We report the case of a former 33-week premature infant born with long-gap esophageal atresia that underwent complex perioperative critical care (Foker process) requiring prolonged post-operative sedation and whom presented with incidental subdural hematoma. Rs-fMRI data was acquired before (at 1-month corrected age) and after (at 2.25-months corrected age) complex perioperative care. We evaluated resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) using graph theory to explore the complex structure of brain networks. Results A transient increase in head circumference coincided temporally with lifting of sedation and initiation of sedation drugs weaning, and qualified for hydrocephalus (93%) but not macrocephaly (>95%). RSFC analysis identified networks spatially consistent with those previously described in the literature, with notable pre-post-treatment qualitative differences in correlated and anticorrelated spontaneous brain activity. Discussion Current definitions of macrocephaly may require lower threshold criteria for monitoring of critically ill infants. Although we demonstrate that available rs-fMRI could be effectively applied in a critically ill infant in the setting of brain pathology, future group-level studies should investigate RSFC to evaluate maintenance of network homeostasis during development of both healthy and critically ill infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan Jack Hodkinson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., Bader 3, Boston, MA.,Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St., Boston, MA
| | - Chandler Rebecca Lee Mongerson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., Bader 3, Boston, MA
| | - Russell William Jennings
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St., Boston, MA.,Esophageal and Airway Treatment Center, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA
| | - Dusica Bajic
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., Bader 3, Boston, MA.,Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St., Boston, MA
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Maternal pomegranate juice intake and brain structure and function in infants with intrauterine growth restriction: A randomized controlled pilot study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219596. [PMID: 31433809 PMCID: PMC6703683 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyphenol-rich pomegranate juice has been shown to have benefit as a neuroprotectant in animal models of neonatal hypoxic-ischemia. No published studies have investigated maternal polyphenol administration as a potential neuroprotectant in at-risk newborns, such as those with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study to investigate the impact of maternal pomegranate juice intake in pregnancies with IUGR, on newborn brain structure and function at term-equivalent age (TEA). Mothers with IUGR at 24-34 weeks' gestation were recruited from Barnes-Jewish Hospital obstetrical clinic. Consented mothers were randomized to treatment (8 oz. pomegranate juice) or placebo (8 oz. polyphenol-free juice) and continued to take juice daily from enrollment until delivery (mean 20.1 and 27.1 days, respectively). Infants underwent brain MRI at TEA (36-41 weeks' gestation). Brain measures were compared between groups including: brain injury score, brain metrics, brain volumes, diffusion tensor imaging and resting state functional connectivity. Statistical analyses were undertaken as modified intention-to-treat (including randomized participants who received their allocated intervention and whose infants received brain MRI) and per-protocol (including participants who strictly adhered to the protocol, based on metabolite status). Seventy-seven mothers were randomized to treatment (n = 40) or placebo (n = 37). Of these, 28 and 27 infants, respectively, underwent term-equivalent MRI. There were no group differences in brain injury, metrics or volumes. However, treatment subjects displayed reduced diffusivity within the anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule compared with placebo. Resting state functional connectivity demonstrated increased correlation and covariance within several networks in treatment subjects, with alterations most apparent in the visual network in per-protocol analyses. Direct effects on health were not found. In conclusion, maternal pomegranate juice intake in pregnancies with known IUGR was associated with altered white matter organization and functional connectivity in the infant brain, suggesting differences in brain structure and function following in utero pomegranate juice exposure, warranting continued investigation. Clinical trial registration. NCT00788866, registered November 11, 2008, initial participant enrollment August 21, 2012.
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Volpe JJ. Dysmaturation of Premature Brain: Importance, Cellular Mechanisms, and Potential Interventions. Pediatr Neurol 2019; 95:42-66. [PMID: 30975474 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2019.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Prematurity, especially preterm birth (less than 32 weeks' gestation), is common and associated with high rates of both survival and neurodevelopmental disability, especially apparent in cognitive spheres. The neuropathological substrate of this disability is now recognized to be related to a variety of dysmaturational disturbances of the brain. These disturbances follow initial brain injury, particularly cerebral white matter injury, and involve many of the extraordinary array of developmental events active in cerebral white and gray matter structures during the premature period. This review delineates these developmental events and the dysmaturational disturbances that occur in premature infants. The cellular mechanisms involved in the genesis of the dysmaturation are emphasized, with particular focus on the preoligodendrocyte. A central role for the diffusely distributed activated microglia and reactive astrocytes in the dysmaturation is now apparent. As these dysmaturational cellular mechanisms appear to occur over a relatively long time window, interventions to prevent or ameliorate the dysmaturation, that is, neurorestorative interventions, seem possible. Such interventions include pharmacologic agents, especially erythropoietin, and particular attention has also been paid to such nutritional factors as quality and source of milk, breastfeeding, polyunsaturated fatty acids, iron, and zinc. Recent studies also suggest a potent role for interventions directed at various experiential factors in the neonatal period and infancy, i.e., provision of optimal auditory and visual exposures, minimization of pain and stress, and a variety of other means of environmental behavioral enrichment, in enhancing brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Volpe
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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61
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Abstract
Preterm babies are cared for in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), which are busy places with a lot of mechanical noise increasingly recognized to disrupt normal brain development. NICUs therefore invest in developmental care procedures, with music for example, but neurobiological evidence for these interventions is missing. We present results from a clinical trial to study the effects of a music intervention on preterm infants’ brain development. Based on resting-state fMRI, we provide evidence that music enhanced connectivity in a brain circuitry involving the salience network with regions implicated in sensory and higher-order cognitive functions, previously found to be altered in preterm infants. To our knowledge, this study is unique in observing an impact of music on brain development in preterm newborns. Neonatal intensive care units are willing to apply environmental enrichment via music for preterm newborns. However, no evidence of an effect of music on preterm brain development has been reported to date. Using resting-state fMRI, we characterized a circuitry of interest consisting of three network modules interconnected by the salience network that displays reduced network coupling in preterm compared with full-term newborns. Interestingly, preterm infants exposed to music in the neonatal intensive care units have significantly increased coupling between brain networks previously shown to be decreased in premature infants: the salience network with the superior frontal, auditory, and sensorimotor networks, and the salience network with the thalamus and precuneus networks. Therefore, music exposure leads to functional brain architectures that are more similar to those of full-term newborns, providing evidence for a beneficial effect of music on the preterm brain.
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Wheelock MD, Culver JP, Eggebrecht AT. High-density diffuse optical tomography for imaging human brain function. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2019; 90:051101. [PMID: 31153254 PMCID: PMC6533110 DOI: 10.1063/1.5086809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
This review describes the unique opportunities and challenges for noninvasive optical mapping of human brain function. Diffuse optical methods offer safe, portable, and radiation free alternatives to traditional technologies like positron emission tomography or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Recent developments in high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) have demonstrated capabilities for mapping human cortical brain function over an extended field of view with image quality approaching that of fMRI. In this review, we cover fundamental principles of the diffusion of near infrared light in biological tissue. We discuss the challenges involved in the HD-DOT system design and implementation that must be overcome to acquire the signal-to-noise necessary to measure and locate brain function at the depth of the cortex. We discuss strategies for validation of the sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of HD-DOT acquired maps of cortical brain function. We then provide a brief overview of some clinical applications of HD-DOT. Though diffuse optical measurements of neurophysiology have existed for several decades, tremendous opportunity remains to advance optical imaging of brain function to address a crucial niche in basic and clinical neuroscience: that of bedside and minimally constrained high fidelity imaging of brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muriah D. Wheelock
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | | | - Adam T. Eggebrecht
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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63
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Herzmann CS, Snyder AZ, Kenley JK, Rogers CE, Shimony JS, Smyser CD. Cerebellar Functional Connectivity in Term- and Very Preterm-Born Infants. Cereb Cortex 2019; 29:1174-1184. [PMID: 29420701 PMCID: PMC6373668 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical resting state networks have been consistently identified in infants using resting state-functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Comparable studies in adults have demonstrated cerebellar components of well-established cerebral networks. However, there has been limited investigation of early cerebellar functional connectivity. We acquired non-sedated rs-fMRI data in the first week of life in 57 healthy, term-born infants and at term-equivalent postmenstrual age in 20 very preterm infants (mean birth gestational age 27 ± 2 weeks) without significant cerebral or cerebellar injury. Seed correlation analyses were performed using regions of interests spanning the cortical and subcortical gray matter and cerebellum. Parallel analyses were performed using rs-fMRI data acquired in 100 healthy adults. Our results demonstrate that cortico-cerebellar functional connectivity is well-established by term. Intra- and cortico-cerebellar functional connectivity were largely similar in infants and adults. However, infants showed more functional connectivity structure within the cerebellum, including stronger homotopic correlations and more robust anterior-posterior anticorrelations. Prematurity was associated with reduced correlation magnitudes, but no alterations in intra- and cortico-cerebellar functional connectivity topography. These results add to the growing evidence that the cerebellum plays an important role in shaping early brain development during infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte S Herzmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Abraham Z Snyder
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jeanette K Kenley
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Cynthia E Rogers
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Joshua S Shimony
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christopher D Smyser
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
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64
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Nguyen TTB, Chung HJ, Kim HJ, Hong ST. Establishment of an ideal gut microbiota to boost healthy growth of neonates. Crit Rev Microbiol 2019; 45:118-129. [PMID: 30773108 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2018.1561643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
For decades, supporting the optimal growth of low birth weight (LBW) infants has been considered one of the most important paediatric challenges, despite advances in neonatal intensive care technology and nutrition interventions. Since gut microbiota affects such diverse phenotypes in adults, the difference in gut microbiota composition between normal infants and LBW infants raises the possibility of gut microbiota playing an important role in different growth rates of neonates. Based on the concept that probiotics are generally beneficial to the health, numerous studies have been made on probiotics as a supplement to the diet of the LBW infants. However, clinical results on the effects of probiotics on LBW infant growth are either inconsistent or contradictory with each other, and thus the contribution of gut microbiota in neonatal growth has remained inconclusive. In this review, recent researches on neonatal gut microbiota are discussed to develop a new strategy for targeting gut microbiota as a solution to growth retardation in LBW infants. We also discuss how to establish the ideal gut microbiota to support optimal growth of LBW infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Thanh Binh Nguyen
- a Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science , Chonbuk National University Medical School , Jeonju , Jeollabuk-do , South Korea.,b Department of Pediatrics , Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Hue , Vietnam
| | - Hea-Jong Chung
- a Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science , Chonbuk National University Medical School , Jeonju , Jeollabuk-do , South Korea
| | - Hyeon-Jin Kim
- c JINIS BDRD Institute, JINIS Biopharmaceuticals Co , Wanju , Chonbuk , South Korea
| | - Seong-Tshool Hong
- a Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science , Chonbuk National University Medical School , Jeonju , Jeollabuk-do , South Korea
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65
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Zhang H, Shen D, Lin W. Resting-state functional MRI studies on infant brains: A decade of gap-filling efforts. Neuroimage 2019; 185:664-684. [PMID: 29990581 PMCID: PMC6289773 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) is one of the most prevalent brain functional imaging modalities. Previous rs-fMRI studies have mainly focused on adults and elderly subjects. Recently, infant rs-fMRI studies have become an area of active research. After a decade of gap filling studies, many facets of the brain functional development from early infancy to toddler has been uncovered. However, infant rs-fMRI is still in its infancy. The image analysis tools for neonates and young infants can be quite different from those for adults. From data analysis to result interpretation, more questions and issues have been raised, and new hypotheses have been formed. With the anticipated availability of unprecedented high-resolution rs-fMRI and dedicated analysis pipelines from the Baby Connectome Project (BCP), it is important now to revisit previous findings and hypotheses, discuss and comment existing issues and problems, and make a "to-do-list" for the future studies. This review article aims to comprehensively review a decade of the findings, unveiling hidden jewels of the fields of developmental neuroscience and neuroimage computing. Emphases will be given to early infancy, particularly the first few years of life. In this review, an end-to-end summary, from infant rs-fMRI experimental design to data processing, and from the development of individual functional systems to large-scale brain functional networks, is provided. A comprehensive summary of the rs-fMRI findings in developmental patterns is highlighted. Furthermore, an extensive summary of the neurodevelopmental disorders and the effects of other hazardous factors is provided. Finally, future research trends focusing on emerging dynamic functional connectivity and state-of-the-art functional connectome analysis are summarized. In next decade, early infant rs-fMRI and developmental connectome study could be one of the shining research topics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Dinggang Shen
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
| | - Weili Lin
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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66
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Barkovich MJ, Li Y, Desikan RS, Barkovich AJ, Xu D. Challenges in pediatric neuroimaging. Neuroimage 2019; 185:793-801. [PMID: 29684645 PMCID: PMC6197938 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.04.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric neuroimaging is challenging due the rapid structural, metabolic, and functional changes that occur in the developing brain. A specially trained team is needed to produce high quality diagnostic images in children, due to their small physical size and immaturity. Patient motion, cooperation and medical condition dictate the methods and equipment used. A customized approach tailored to each child's age and functional status with the appropriate combination of dedicated staff, imaging hardware, and software is key; these range from low-tech techniques, such as feed and swaddle, to specialized small bore MRI scanners, MRI compatible incubators and neonatal head coils. New pre-and post-processing techniques can also compensate for the motion artifacts and low signal that often degrade neonatal scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Barkovich
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of California, San Francisco 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room L352, San Francisco, CA 94143-0628, United States.
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of California, San Francisco 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room L352, San Francisco, CA 94143-0628, United States
| | - Rahul S Desikan
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of California, San Francisco 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room L352, San Francisco, CA 94143-0628, United States
| | - A James Barkovich
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of California, San Francisco 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room L352, San Francisco, CA 94143-0628, United States; UCSF-Benioff Children's Hospital, 1975 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
| | - Duan Xu
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of California, San Francisco 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room L352, San Francisco, CA 94143-0628, United States; UCSF-Benioff Children's Hospital, 1975 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
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67
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Smyser CD, Wheelock MD, Limbrick DD, Neil JJ. Neonatal brain injury and aberrant connectivity. Neuroimage 2019; 185:609-623. [PMID: 30059733 PMCID: PMC6289815 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.07.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain injury sustained during the neonatal period may disrupt development of critical structural and functional connectivity networks leading to subsequent neurodevelopmental impairment in affected children. These networks can be characterized using structural (via diffusion MRI) and functional (via resting state-functional MRI) neuroimaging techniques. Advances in neuroimaging have led to expanded application of these approaches to study term- and prematurely-born infants, providing improved understanding of cerebral development and the deleterious effects of early brain injury. Across both modalities, neuroimaging data are conducive to analyses ranging from characterization of individual white matter tracts and/or resting state networks through advanced 'connectome-style' approaches capable of identifying highly connected network hubs and investigating metrics of network topology such as modularity and small-worldness. We begin this review by summarizing the literature detailing structural and functional connectivity findings in healthy term and preterm infants without brain injury during the postnatal period, including discussion of early connectome development. We then detail common forms of brain injury in term- and prematurely-born infants. In this context, we next review the emerging body of literature detailing studies employing diffusion MRI, resting state-functional MRI and other complementary neuroimaging modalities to characterize structural and functional connectivity development in infants with brain injury. We conclude by reviewing technical challenges associated with neonatal neuroimaging, highlighting those most relevant to studying infants with brain injury and emphasizing the need for further targeted study in this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Smyser
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics and Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8111, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Muriah D Wheelock
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8134, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - David D Limbrick
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, One Children's Place, Suite S20, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Jeffrey J Neil
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, BCH3443, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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68
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Li HX, Yu M, Zheng AB, Zhang QF, Hua GW, Tu WJ, Zhang LC. Resting-state network complexity and magnitude changes in neonates with severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:642-648. [PMID: 30632504 PMCID: PMC6352595 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.247468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging has revealed disrupted brain network connectivity in adults and teenagers with cerebral palsy. However, the specific brain networks implicated in neonatal cases remain poorly understood. In this study, we recruited 14 term-born infants with mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and 14 term-born infants with severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy from Changzhou Children’s Hospital, China. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data showed efficient small-world organization in whole-brain networks in both the mild and severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy groups. However, compared with the mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy group, the severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy group exhibited decreased local efficiency and a low clustering coefficient. The distribution of hub regions in the functional networks had fewer nodes in the severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy group compared with the mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy group. Moreover, nodal efficiency was reduced in the left rolandic operculum, left supramarginal gyrus, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, and right middle temporal gyrus. These results suggest that the topological structure of the resting state functional network in children with severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is clearly distinct from that in children with mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and may be associated with impaired language, motion, and cognition. These data indicate that it may be possible to make early predictions regarding brain development in children with severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, enabling early interventions targeting brain function. This study was approved by the Regional Ethics Review Boards of the Changzhou Children’s Hospital (approval No. 2013-001) on January 31, 2013. Informed consent was obtained from the family members of the children. The trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR1800016409) and the protocol version is 1.0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Xin Li
- Department of Neonatology, Changzhou Children's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Min Yu
- Graduate Student, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ai-Bin Zheng
- Department of Children's Health Research Center, Changzhou Children's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Qin-Fen Zhang
- Department of Neonatology, Changzhou Children's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Guo-Wei Hua
- Department of Neonatology, Changzhou Children's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen-Juan Tu
- Department of Neonatology, Changzhou Children's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li-Chi Zhang
- Institute for Medical Imaging Technology, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Department of Radiology and BRIC, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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69
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Kostović I, Sedmak G, Judaš M. Neural histology and neurogenesis of the human fetal and infant brain. Neuroimage 2018; 188:743-773. [PMID: 30594683 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.12.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain develops slowly and over a long period of time which lasts for almost three decades. This enables good spatio-temporal resolution of histogenetic and neurogenetic events as well as an appropriate and clinically relevant timing of these events. In order to successfully apply in vivo neuroimaging data, in analyzing both the normal brain development and the neurodevelopmental origin of major neurological and mental disorders, it is important to correlate these neuroimaging data with the existing data on morphogenetic, histogenetic and neurogenetic events. Furthermore, when performing such correlation, the genetic, genomic, and molecular biology data on phenotypic specification of developing brain regions, areas and neurons should also be included. In this review, we focus on early developmental periods (form 8 postconceptional weeks to the second postnatal year) and describe the microstructural organization and neural circuitry elements of the fetal and early postnatal human cerebrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Kostović
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, Šalata 12, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - G Sedmak
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, Šalata 12, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - M Judaš
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, Šalata 12, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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70
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Choi EJ, Vandewouw MM, Young JM, Taylor MJ. Language Network Function in Young Children Born Very Preterm. Front Hum Neurosci 2018; 12:512. [PMID: 30618688 PMCID: PMC6306484 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Language deficits are reported in preterm born children across development. Recent neuroimaging studies have found functional alterations in large-scale brain networks underlying these language deficits, but the early childhood development of the language network has not been investigated. Here, we compared intrinsic language network connectivity in 4-year-old children born VPT and term-born controls, using defined language regions (Broca's area, Wernicke's areas, and their homologues in the right hemisphere). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was obtained, and the group differences in whole-brain connectivity were examined from each seed as well as correlations with language outcomes. We found significantly decreased functional connectivity in almost all language regions in children born VPT compared to their term controls. Notably, Broca's area homologue in the right hemisphere emerged as a functional hub of decreased connectivity in VPT group, specifically to bilateral inferior frontal and supramarginal gyri; connectivity strength between Broca's area homologue with the right supramarginal and the left inferior frontal gyri was associated with better language outcomes at 4 years of age. Wernicke's area and its homologue also showed decreased inter-hemispheric connections to bilateral supramarginal gyri in the VPT group. Decreased intra- and inter-hemispheric connectivity among primary language regions suggests immature and altered function in the language network in children born VPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jung Choi
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marlee M Vandewouw
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neurosciences & Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julia M Young
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neurosciences & Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Margot J Taylor
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neurosciences & Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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71
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Rogers CE, Lean RE, Wheelock MD, Smyser CD. Aberrant structural and functional connectivity and neurodevelopmental impairment in preterm children. J Neurodev Disord 2018; 10:38. [PMID: 30541449 PMCID: PMC6291944 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-018-9253-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite advances in antenatal and neonatal care, preterm birth remains a leading cause of neurological disabilities in children. Infants born prematurely, particularly those delivered at the earliest gestational ages, commonly demonstrate increased rates of impairment across multiple neurodevelopmental domains. Indeed, the current literature establishes that preterm birth is a leading risk factor for cerebral palsy, is associated with executive function deficits, increases risk for impaired receptive and expressive language skills, and is linked with higher rates of co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders. These same infants also demonstrate elevated rates of aberrant cerebral structural and functional connectivity, with persistent changes evident across advanced magnetic resonance imaging modalities as early as the neonatal period. Emerging findings from cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations increasingly suggest that aberrant connectivity within key functional networks and white matter tracts may underlie the neurodevelopmental impairments common in this population. Main body This review begins by highlighting the elevated rates of neurodevelopmental disorders across domains in this clinical population, describes the patterns of aberrant structural and functional connectivity common in prematurely-born infants and children, and then reviews the increasingly established body of literature delineating the relationship between these brain abnormalities and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. We also detail important, typically understudied, clinical, and social variables that may influence these relationships among preterm children, including heritability and psychosocial risks. Conclusion Future work in this domain should continue to leverage longitudinal evaluations of preterm infants which include both neuroimaging and detailed serial neurodevelopmental assessments to further characterize relationships between imaging measures and impairment, information necessary for advancing our understanding of modifiable risk factors underlying these disorders and best practices for improving neurodevelopmental trajectories in this high-risk clinical population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia E Rogers
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8504, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Rachel E Lean
- Departments of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8504, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Muriah D Wheelock
- Departments of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8504, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Christopher D Smyser
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics and Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8111, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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72
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Lean RE, Paul RA, Smyser TA, Smyser CD, Rogers CE. Social Adversity and Cognitive, Language, and Motor Development of Very Preterm Children from 2 to 5 Years of Age. J Pediatr 2018; 203:177-184.e1. [PMID: 30244986 PMCID: PMC6252144 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.07.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the extent to which social and family factors explain variability in cognitive, language, and motor development among very preterm (<30 weeks of gestation) children from 2 to 5 years of age. STUDY DESIGN As part of a longitudinal study, very preterm children recruited as neonates were assessed at 2 (n = 87) and 5 (n = 83) years of age using standardized tests of cognitive, language, and motor ability alongside demographically matched full term (FT) children (n = 63). For very preterm children, developmental change scores were calculated for each domain to assess within-individual variability to 5 years of age. Multivariate regression and mixed-effect models examined social risk index, parenting stress, family functioning, and maternal intellectual ability as predictors of developmental variation among very preterm children. RESULTS Very preterm children demonstrated poorer cognitive, language, and motor abilities than FT children at 2 (P ≤ .001) and 5 (P < .002) years of age. Social adversity was associated with cognitive (P < .001) and language (P < .001) outcomes at both ages, with parenting stress also related to cognitive outcomes (P = .03). Infant medical risk was associated with motor outcome at 5 years (P=.01). Very preterm children showed considerable within-individual variation between assessments. Among very preterm children, neonatal white matter abnormalities predicted worsening cognitive (P=.04) and motor development (P = .01). Social risk index predicted worsening language development (P = .04), but this association was subsequently explained by dysfunctional maternal affective involvement (P = .01) and lower maternal intellectual ability (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS Both clinical and socioenvironmental factors are associated with cognitive, language, and motor developmental variation among very preterm children from infancy to early school age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Lean
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
| | - Rachel A Paul
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Tara A Smyser
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Christopher D Smyser
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Cynthia E Rogers
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
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73
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Cusack R, McCuaig O, Linke AC. Methodological challenges in the comparison of infant fMRI across age groups. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2018; 33:194-205. [PMID: 29158073 PMCID: PMC6969274 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional MRI (fMRI) in infants is rapidly growing and providing fundamental insights into the origins of brain functions. Comparing brain development at different ages is particularly powerful, but there are a number of methodological challenges that must be addressed if confounds are to be avoided. With development, brains change in composition in a way that alters their tissue contrast, and in size, shape, and gyrification, requiring careful image processing strategies and age-specific standard templates. The hemodynamic response and other aspects of physiology change with age, requiring careful paradigm design and analysis methods. Infants move more, particularly around the second year of age, and move in a different way to adults. This movement can lead to distortion in fMRI images, and requires tailored techniques during acquisition and post-processing. Infants have different sleep patterns, and their sensory periphery is changing macroscopically and in its neural pathways. Finally, once data have been acquired and analyzed, there are important considerations during mapping of brain processes and cognitive functions across age groups. In summary, new methods are critical to the comparison across age groups, and key to maximizing the rate at which infant fMRI can provide insight into the fascinating questions about the origin of cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhodri Cusack
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, Canada; Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
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74
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deCampo D, Hwang M. Characterizing the Neonatal Brain With Ultrasound Elastography. Pediatr Neurol 2018; 86:19-26. [PMID: 30180999 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prematurity is associated with significant neurological injury and impaired neurodevelopment. In neonatology, ultrasonography is frequently used to assess for neurological injury. Ultrasonography allows rapid bedside imaging without radiation. Its limitations include the need for operator experience, lack of quantification, and lower prognostic power when compared with magnetic resonance imaging. Elastography is one of several technical advances used to enhance the diagnostic capability of traditional ultrasound. By detecting differences in tissue stiffness between normal and abnormal tissue, elastography has the potential to add objective and quantitative data to ultrasound imaging. Quantitative values could then be used to help detect injury, correlate outcome to predict prognosis, and guide surgical intervention. Since developmental processes such as myelination and neuropil formation may also influence brain stiffness, elastography may also serve as a unique tool to further delineate developmental differences between preterm and term infants. In this review, we provide a general overview of elastography, its application in neonatal neuroimaging, and possible future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle deCampo
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Misun Hwang
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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75
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Altered functional network connectivity relates to motor development in children born very preterm. Neuroimage 2018; 183:574-583. [PMID: 30144569 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals born very preterm (<32 weeks gestation) are at increased risk for neuromotor impairments. The ability to characterize the structural and functional mechanisms underlying these impairments remains limited using existing neuroimaging techniques. Resting state-functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) holds promise for defining the functional network architecture of the developing brain in relation to typical and aberrant neurodevelopment. In 58 very preterm and 65 term-born children studied from birth to age 12 years, we examined relations between functional connectivity measures from low-motion rs-fMRI data and motor skills assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition. Across all subscales, motor performance was better in term than very preterm children. Examination of relations between functional connectivity and motor measures using enrichment analysis revealed between-group differences within cerebellar, frontoparietal, and default mode networks, and between basal ganglia-motor, thalamus-motor, basal ganglia-auditory, and dorsal attention-default mode networks. Specifically, very preterm children exhibited weaker associations between motor scores and thalamus-motor and basal ganglia-motor network connectivity. These findings highlight key functional brain systems underlying motor development. They also demonstrate persisting developmental effects of preterm birth on functional connectivity and motor performance in childhood, providing evidence for an alternative network architecture supporting motor function in preterm children.
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76
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Neil JJ, Smyser CD. Recent advances in the use of MRI to assess early human cortical development. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2018; 293:56-69. [PMID: 29894905 PMCID: PMC6047926 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, a number of advanced magnetic resonance-based methods have been brought to bear on questions related to early development of the human cerebral cortex. Herein, we describe studies employing analysis of cortical surface folding (cortical cartography), cortical microstructure (diffusion anisotropy), and cortically-based functional networks (resting state-functional connectivity MRI). The fundamentals of each MR method are described, followed by a discussion of application of the method to developing cortex and potential clinical uses. We use premature birth as an exemplar of how these modalities can be used to investigate the effects of medical and environmental variables on early cortical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Neil
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - Christopher D Smyser
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics and Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8111, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States.
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Gozdas E, Parikh NA, Merhar SL, Tkach JA, He L, Holland SK. Altered functional network connectivity in preterm infants: antecedents of cognitive and motor impairments? Brain Struct Funct 2018; 223:3665-3680. [PMID: 29992470 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1707-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Very preterm infants (≤ 31 weeks gestational age) are at high risk for brain injury and delayed development. Applying functional connectivity and graph theory methods to resting state MRI data (fcMRI), we tested the hypothesis that preterm infants would demonstrate alterations in connectivity measures both globally and in specific networks related to motor, language and cognitive function, even when there is no anatomical imaging evidence of injury. Fifty-one healthy full-term controls and 24 very preterm infants without significant neonatal brain injury, were evaluated at term-equivalent age with fcMRI. Preterm subjects showed lower functional connectivity from regions associated with motor, cognitive, language and executive function, than term controls. Examining brain networks using graph theory measures of functional connectivity, very preterm infants also exhibited lower rich-club coefficient and assortativity but higher small-worldness and no significant difference in modularity when compared to term infants. The findings provide evidence that functional connectivity exhibits deficits soon after birth in very preterm infants in key brain networks responsible for motor, language and executive functions, even in the absence of anatomical lesions. These functional network measures could serve as prognostic biomarkers for later developmental disabilities and guide decisions about early interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elveda Gozdas
- Department of Physics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nehal A Parikh
- Department of Pediatrics, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Center for Perinatal Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stephanie L Merhar
- Department of Pediatrics, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jean A Tkach
- Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lili He
- Department of Pediatrics, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Medpace Inc., Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Scott K Holland
- Department of Physics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Medpace Inc., Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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78
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Hadders-Algra M. Early human brain development: Starring the subplate. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 92:276-290. [PMID: 29935204 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes early human brain development on the basis of neuroanatomical data and functional connectomics. It indicates that the most significant changes in the brain occur during the second half of gestation and the first three months post-term, in particular in the cortical subplate and cerebellum. As the transient subplate pairs a high rate of intricate developmental changes and interactions with clear functional activity, two phases of development are distinguished: a) the transient cortical subplate phase, ending at 3 months post-term when the permanent circuitries in the primary motor, somatosensory and visual cortices have replaced the subplate; and subsequently, b) the phase in which the permanent circuitries dominate. In the association areas the subplate dissolves in the remainder of the first postnatal year. During both phases developmental changes are paralleled by continuous reconfigurations in network activity. The reviewed literature also suggests that disruption of subplate development may play a pivotal role in developmental disorders, such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mijna Hadders-Algra
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Dept. Pediatrics - Section Developmental Neurology, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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79
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Hodel AS. Rapid Infant Prefrontal Cortex Development and Sensitivity to Early Environmental Experience. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2018; 48:113-144. [PMID: 30270962 PMCID: PMC6157748 DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Over the last fifteen years, the emerging field of developmental cognitive neuroscience has described the relatively late development of prefrontal cortex in children and the relation between gradual structural changes and children's protracted development of prefrontal-dependent skills. Widespread recognition by the broader scientific community of the extended development of prefrontal cortex has led to the overwhelming perception of prefrontal cortex as a "late developing" region of the brain. However, despite its supposedly protracted development, multiple lines of research have converged to suggest that prefrontal cortex development may be particularly susceptible to individual differences in children's early environments. Recent studies demonstrate that the impacts of early adverse environments on prefrontal cortex are present very early in development: within the first year of life. This review provides a comprehensive overview of new neuroimaging evidence demonstrating that prefrontal cortex should be characterized as a "rapidly developing" region of the brain, discusses the converging impacts of early adversity on prefrontal circuits, and presents potential mechanisms via which adverse environments shape both concurrent and long-term measures of prefrontal cortex development. Given that environmentally-induced disparities are present in prefrontal cortex development within the first year of life, translational work in intervention and/or prevention science should focus on intervening early in development to take advantages of this early period of rapid prefrontal development and heightened plasticity.
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80
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Mohammadi-Nejad AR, Mahmoudzadeh M, Hassanpour MS, Wallois F, Muzik O, Papadelis C, Hansen A, Soltanian-Zadeh H, Gelovani J, Nasiriavanaki M. Neonatal brain resting-state functional connectivity imaging modalities. PHOTOACOUSTICS 2018; 10:1-19. [PMID: 29511627 PMCID: PMC5832677 DOI: 10.1016/j.pacs.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Infancy is the most critical period in human brain development. Studies demonstrate that subtle brain abnormalities during this state of life may greatly affect the developmental processes of the newborn infants. One of the rapidly developing methods for early characterization of abnormal brain development is functional connectivity of the brain at rest. While the majority of resting-state studies have been conducted using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), there is clear evidence that resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) can also be evaluated using other imaging modalities. The aim of this review is to compare the advantages and limitations of different modalities used for the mapping of infants' brain functional connectivity at rest. In addition, we introduce photoacoustic tomography, a novel functional neuroimaging modality, as a complementary modality for functional mapping of infants' brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad
- CIPCE, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Departments of Radiology and Research Administration, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Mahdi Mahmoudzadeh
- INSERM, U1105, Université de Picardie, CURS, F80036, Amiens, France
- INSERM U1105, Exploration Fonctionnelles du Système Nerveux Pédiatrique, South University Hospital, F80054, Amiens Cedex, France
| | | | - Fabrice Wallois
- INSERM, U1105, Université de Picardie, CURS, F80036, Amiens, France
- INSERM U1105, Exploration Fonctionnelles du Système Nerveux Pédiatrique, South University Hospital, F80054, Amiens Cedex, France
| | - Otto Muzik
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Christos Papadelis
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anne Hansen
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hamid Soltanian-Zadeh
- CIPCE, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Departments of Radiology and Research Administration, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Juri Gelovani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Molecular Imaging Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Mohammadreza Nasiriavanaki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Molecular Imaging Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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81
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Rudolph MD, Graham AM, Feczko E, Miranda-Dominguez O, Rasmussen JM, Nardos R, Entringer S, Wadhwa PD, Buss C, Fair DA. Maternal IL-6 during pregnancy can be estimated from newborn brain connectivity and predicts future working memory in offspring. Nat Neurosci 2018; 21:765-772. [PMID: 29632361 PMCID: PMC5920734 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0128-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence support the link between maternal inflammation during pregnancy and increased likelihood of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in offspring. This longitudinal study seeks to advance understanding regarding implications of systemic maternal inflammation during pregnancy, indexed by plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations, for large-scale brain system development and emerging executive function skills in offspring. We assessed maternal IL-6 during pregnancy, functional magnetic resonance imaging acquired in neonates, and working memory (an important component of executive function) at 2 years of age. Functional connectivity within and between multiple neonatal brain networks can be modeled to estimate maternal IL-6 concentrations during pregnancy. Brain regions heavily weighted in these models overlap substantially with those supporting working memory in a large meta-analysis. Maternal IL-6 also directly accounts for a portion of the variance of working memory at 2 years of age. Findings highlight the association of maternal inflammation during pregnancy with the developing functional architecture of the brain and emerging executive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc D Rudolph
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Alice M Graham
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Eric Feczko
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Oscar Miranda-Dominguez
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jerod M Rasmussen
- Development, Health and Disease Research Program, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Rahel Nardos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sonja Entringer
- Development, Health and Disease Research Program, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Pathik D Wadhwa
- Development, Health and Disease Research Program, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Claudia Buss
- Development, Health and Disease Research Program, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Damien A Fair
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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82
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Bouyssi-Kobar M, Brossard-Racine M, Jacobs M, Murnick J, Chang T, Limperopoulos C. Regional microstructural organization of the cerebral cortex is affected by preterm birth. Neuroimage Clin 2018; 18:871-880. [PMID: 29876271 PMCID: PMC5988027 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To compare regional cerebral cortical microstructural organization between preterm infants at term-equivalent age (TEA) and healthy full-term newborns, and to examine the impact of clinical risk factors on cerebral cortical micro-organization in the preterm cohort. Study design We prospectively enrolled very preterm infants (gestational age (GA) at birth<32 weeks; birthweight<1500 g) and healthy full-term controls. Using non-invasive 3T diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics, we quantified regional micro-organization in ten cerebral cortical areas: medial/dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior/posterior cingulate cortex, insula, posterior parietal cortex, motor/somatosensory/auditory/visual cortex. ANCOVA analyses were performed controlling for sex and postmenstrual age at MRI. Results We studied 91 preterm infants at TEA and 69 full-term controls. Preterm infants demonstrated significantly higher diffusivity in the prefrontal, parietal, motor, somatosensory, and visual cortices suggesting delayed maturation of these cortical areas. Additionally, postnatal hydrocortisone treatment was related to accelerated microstructural organization in the prefrontal and somatosensory cortices. Conclusions Preterm birth alters regional microstructural organization of the cerebral cortex in both neurocognitive brain regions and areas with primary sensory/motor functions. We also report for the first time a potential protective effect of postnatal hydrocortisone administration on cerebral cortical development in preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Bouyssi-Kobar
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA; Institute for Biomedical Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
| | - Marie Brossard-Racine
- Department of Pediatrics Neurology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada.
| | - Marni Jacobs
- Division of Biostatistics and Study Methodology, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
| | - Jonathan Murnick
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
| | - Taeun Chang
- Department of Neurology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
| | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
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83
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Tokariev A, Stjerna S, Lano A, Metsäranta M, Palva JM, Vanhatalo S. Preterm Birth Changes Networks of Newborn Cortical Activity. Cereb Cortex 2018; 29:814-826. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anton Tokariev
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Helsinki, HUS, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Susanna Stjerna
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Helsinki, HUS, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aulikki Lano
- Department of Child Neurology, Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and HUH, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marjo Metsäranta
- Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and HUH, Helsinki, Finland
| | - J Matias Palva
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sampsa Vanhatalo
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Helsinki, HUS, Helsinki, Finland
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84
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Linke AC, Wild C, Zubiaurre-Elorza L, Herzmann C, Duffy H, Han VK, Lee DSC, Cusack R. Disruption to functional networks in neonates with perinatal brain injury predicts motor skills at 8 months. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2018; 18:399-406. [PMID: 29487797 PMCID: PMC5816024 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Objective Functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI) of neonates with perinatal brain injury could improve prediction of motor impairment before symptoms manifest, and establish how early brain organization relates to subsequent development. This cohort study is the first to describe and quantitatively assess functional brain networks and their relation to later motor skills in neonates with a diverse range of perinatal brain injuries. Methods Infants (n = 65, included in final analyses: n = 53) were recruited from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and were stratified based on their age at birth (premature vs. term), and on whether neuropathology was diagnosed from structural MRI. Functional brain networks and a measure of disruption to functional connectivity were obtained from 14 min of fcMRI acquired during natural sleep at term-equivalent age. Results Disruption to connectivity of the somatomotor and frontoparietal executive networks predicted motor impairment at 4 and 8 months. This disruption in functional connectivity was not found to be driven by differences between clinical groups, or by any of the specific measures we captured to describe the clinical course. Conclusion fcMRI was predictive over and above other clinical measures available at discharge from the NICU, including structural MRI. Motor learning was affected by disruption to somatomotor networks, but also frontoparietal executive networks, which supports the functional importance of these networks in early development. Disruption to these two networks might be best addressed by distinct intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika C Linke
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Canada; Brain Development Imaging Lab, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
| | - Conor Wild
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Canada
| | | | | | - Hester Duffy
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Victor K Han
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, Canada.
| | - David S C Lee
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, Canada.
| | - Rhodri Cusack
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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85
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Sylvester CM, Smyser CD, Smyser T, Kenley J, Ackerman JJ, Shimony JS, Petersen SE, Rogers CE. Cortical Functional Connectivity Evident After Birth and Behavioral Inhibition at Age 2. Am J Psychiatry 2018; 175:180-187. [PMID: 28774192 PMCID: PMC5794627 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The infant temperament behavioral inhibition is a potent risk factor for development of an anxiety disorder. It is difficult to predict risk for behavioral inhibition at birth, however, and the neural underpinnings are poorly understood. The authors hypothesized that neonatal functional connectivity of the ventral attention network is related to behavioral inhibition at age 2 years beyond sociodemographic and familial factors. This hypothesis is supported by the ventral attention network's role in attention to novelty, a key feature of behavioral inhibition. METHOD Using a longitudinal design (N=45), the authors measured functional connectivity using MRI in neonates and behavioral inhibition at age 2 using the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. Whole-brain connectivity maps were computed for regions from the ventral attention, default mode, and salience networks. Regression analyses related these maps to behavioral inhibition at age 2, covarying for sex, social risk, and motion during scanning. RESULTS Decreased neonatal functional connectivity of three connections was associated with increased behavioral inhibition at age 2. One connection (between the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and the right temporal-parietal junction) included the ventral attention network seed, and two connections (between the medial prefrontal cortex and both the right superior parietal lobule and the left lateral occipital cortex) included the default mode network seed. CONCLUSIONS Neonatal functional connectivity of the ventral attention and default mode networks is associated with behavioral inhibition at age 2. These results inform the developmental neurobiology of behavioral inhibition and anxiety disorders and may aid in early risk assessment and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher D. Smyser
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Tara Smyser
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Jeanette Kenley
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Steve E. Petersen
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine
- Department of Psychology, Washington University School of Medicine
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Cynthia E. Rogers
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine
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86
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Scheinost D, Kwon SH, Lacadie C, Vohr BR, Schneider KC, Papademetris X, Constable RT, Ment LR. Alterations in Anatomical Covariance in the Prematurely Born. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:534-543. [PMID: 26494796 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhv248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm (PT) birth results in long-term alterations in functional and structural connectivity, but the related changes in anatomical covariance are just beginning to be explored. To test the hypothesis that PT birth alters patterns of anatomical covariance, we investigated brain volumes of 25 PTs and 22 terms at young adulthood using magnetic resonance imaging. Using regional volumetrics, seed-based analyses, and whole brain graphs, we show that PT birth is associated with reduced volume in bilateral temporal and inferior frontal lobes, left caudate, left fusiform, and posterior cingulate for prematurely born subjects at young adulthood. Seed-based analyses demonstrate altered patterns of anatomical covariance for PTs compared with terms. PTs exhibit reduced covariance with R Brodmann area (BA) 47, Broca's area, and L BA 21, Wernicke's area, and white matter volume in the left prefrontal lobe, but increased covariance with R BA 47 and left cerebellum. Graph theory analyses demonstrate that measures of network complexity are significantly less robust in PTs compared with term controls. Volumes in regions showing group differences are significantly correlated with phonological awareness, the fundamental basis for reading acquisition, for the PTs. These data suggest both long-lasting and clinically significant alterations in the covariance in the PTs at young adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin Scheinost
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology.,Magnetic Resonance Research Center, New Haven, CT 06520-8043, USA
| | | | | | - Betty R Vohr
- Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | | | | | - Laura R Ment
- Department of Pediatrics.,Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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87
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On the role of the corpus callosum in interhemispheric functional connectivity in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:13278-13283. [PMID: 29183973 PMCID: PMC5740665 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1707050114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The relation between structural and functional connectivity has profound implications for our understanding of cerebral physiology and cognitive neuroscience. Yet, this relation remains incompletely understood. Cases in which the corpus callosum is sectioned for medical reasons provide a unique opportunity to study this question. We report functional connectivity assessed before and after surgical section of the corpus callosum, including multiyear follow-up in a limited subsample. Our results demonstrate a causal role for the corpus callosum in maintaining functional connectivity between the hemispheres. Additionally, comparison of results obtained in complete vs. partial callosotomy demonstrate that polysynaptic connections also play a role in maintaining interhemispheric functional connectivity. Resting state functional connectivity is defined in terms of temporal correlations between physiologic signals, most commonly studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Major features of functional connectivity correspond to structural (axonal) connectivity. However, this relation is not one-to-one. Interhemispheric functional connectivity in relation to the corpus callosum presents a case in point. Specifically, several reports have documented nearly intact interhemispheric functional connectivity in individuals in whom the corpus callosum (the major commissure between the hemispheres) never develops. To investigate this question, we assessed functional connectivity before and after surgical section of the corpus callosum in 22 patients with medically refractory epilepsy. Section of the corpus callosum markedly reduced interhemispheric functional connectivity. This effect was more profound in multimodal associative areas in the frontal and parietal lobe than primary regions of sensorimotor and visual function. Moreover, no evidence of recovery was observed in a limited sample in which multiyear, longitudinal follow-up was obtained. Comparison of partial vs. complete callosotomy revealed several effects implying the existence of polysynaptic functional connectivity between remote brain regions. Thus, our results demonstrate that callosal as well as extracallosal anatomical connections play a role in the maintenance of interhemispheric functional connectivity.
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88
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Mitra A, Snyder AZ, Tagliazucchi E, Laufs H, Elison J, Emerson RW, Shen MD, Wolff JJ, Botteron KN, Dager S, Estes AM, Evans A, Gerig G, Hazlett HC, Paterson SJ, Schultz RT, Styner MA, Zwaigenbaum L, Schlaggar BL, Piven J, Pruett JR, Raichle M. Resting-state fMRI in sleeping infants more closely resembles adult sleep than adult wakefulness. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188122. [PMID: 29149191 PMCID: PMC5693436 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in infants enables important studies of functional brain organization early in human development. However, rs-fMRI in infants has universally been obtained during sleep to reduce participant motion artifact, raising the question of whether differences in functional organization between awake adults and sleeping infants that are commonly attributed to development may instead derive, at least in part, from sleep. This question is especially important as rs-fMRI differences in adult wake vs. sleep are well documented. To investigate this question, we compared functional connectivity and BOLD signal propagation patterns in 6, 12, and 24 month old sleeping infants with patterns in adult wakefulness and non-REM sleep. We find that important functional connectivity features seen during infant sleep closely resemble those seen during adult sleep, including reduced default mode network functional connectivity. However, we also find differences between infant and adult sleep, especially in thalamic BOLD signal propagation patterns. These findings highlight the importance of considering sleep state when drawing developmental inferences in infant rs-fMRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Mitra
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Abraham Z. Snyder
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Enzo Tagliazucchi
- Departamento de Fisica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Helmut Laufs
- Department of Neurology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Germany
| | - Jed Elison
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Robert W. Emerson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mark D. Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jason J. Wolff
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Kelly N. Botteron
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Stephen Dager
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Annette M. Estes
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Alan Evans
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guido Gerig
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Heather C. Hazlett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sarah J. Paterson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robert T. Schultz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Martin A. Styner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Bradley L. Schlaggar
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Joseph Piven
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - John R. Pruett
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Marcus Raichle
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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89
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Herzmann C, Zubiaurre-Elorza L, Wild CJ, Linke AC, Han VK, Lee DSC, Cusack R. Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Detect Preserved Function in a Preterm Infant with Brain Injury. J Pediatr 2017; 189:213-217.e1. [PMID: 28735979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.06.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We studied developmental plasticity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a preterm infant with brain injury on structural MRI. fMRI showed preserved brain function and subsequent neurodevelopment was within the normal range. Multimodal neuroimaging including fMRI can improve understanding of neural plasticity after preterm birth and brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Conor J Wild
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Annika C Linke
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Victor K Han
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David S C Lee
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Pediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rhodri Cusack
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
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90
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Keunen K, Counsell SJ, Benders MJ. The emergence of functional architecture during early brain development. Neuroimage 2017; 160:2-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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91
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Cao M, Huang H, He Y. Developmental Connectomics from Infancy through Early Childhood. Trends Neurosci 2017; 40:494-506. [PMID: 28684174 PMCID: PMC5975640 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The human brain undergoes rapid growth in both structure and function from infancy through early childhood, and this significantly influences cognitive and behavioral development in later life. A newly emerging research framework, developmental connectomics, provides unprecedented opportunities for exploring the developing brain through non-invasive mapping of structural and functional connectivity patterns. Within this framework, we review recent neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies investigating connectome development from 20 postmenstrual weeks to 5 years of age. Specifically, we highlight five fundamental principles of brain network development during the critical first years of life, emphasizing strengthened segregation/integration balance, a remarkable hierarchical order from primary to higher-order regions, unparalleled structural and functional maturations, substantial individual variability, and high vulnerability to risk factors and developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Cao
- National Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yong He
- National Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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92
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Guevara E, Pierre WC, Tessier C, Akakpo L, Londono I, Lesage F, Lodygensky GA. Altered Functional Connectivity Following an Inflammatory White Matter Injury in the Newborn Rat: A High Spatial and Temporal Resolution Intrinsic Optical Imaging Study. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:358. [PMID: 28725174 PMCID: PMC5495836 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Very preterm newborns have an increased risk of developing an inflammatory cerebral white matter injury that may lead to severe neuro-cognitive impairment. In this study we performed functional connectivity (fc) analysis using resting-state optical imaging of intrinsic signals (rs-OIS) to assess the impact of inflammation on resting-state networks (RSN) in a pre-clinical model of perinatal inflammatory brain injury. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline injections were administered in postnatal day (P3) rat pups and optical imaging of intrinsic signals were obtained 3 weeks later. (rs-OIS) fc seed-based analysis including spatial extent were performed. A support vector machine (SVM) was then used to classify rat pups in two categories using fc measures and an artificial neural network (ANN) was implemented to predict lesion size from those same fc measures. A significant decrease in the spatial extent of fc statistical maps was observed in the injured group, across contrasts and seeds (*p = 0.0452 for HbO2 and **p = 0.0036 for HbR). Both machine learning techniques were applied successfully, yielding 92% accuracy in group classification and a significant correlation r = 0.9431 in fractional lesion volume prediction (**p = 0.0020). Our results suggest that fc is altered in the injured newborn brain, showing the long-standing effect of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Guevara
- Terahertz Science and Technology National Lab, CONACYT-Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Coordinación para la Innovación y Aplicación de la Ciencia y la TecnologíaSan Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Wyston C Pierre
- Sainte-Justine Hospital and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Université de MontréalMontreal, QC, Canada
| | - Camille Tessier
- Sainte-Justine Hospital and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Université de MontréalMontreal, QC, Canada
| | - Luis Akakpo
- Sainte-Justine Hospital and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Université de MontréalMontreal, QC, Canada
| | - Irène Londono
- Sainte-Justine Hospital and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Université de MontréalMontreal, QC, Canada
| | - Frédéric Lesage
- Montreal Heart Institute, Research CenterMontreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Electrical Engineering, École Polytechnique de MontréalMontreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gregory A Lodygensky
- Sainte-Justine Hospital and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Université de MontréalMontreal, QC, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute, Research CenterMontreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, Université de MontréalMontreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Université de MontréalMontreal, QC, Canada
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93
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Cao M, He Y, Dai Z, Liao X, Jeon T, Ouyang M, Chalak L, Bi Y, Rollins N, Dong Q, Huang H. Early Development of Functional Network Segregation Revealed by Connectomic Analysis of the Preterm Human Brain. Cereb Cortex 2017; 27:1949-1963. [PMID: 26941380 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human brain functional networks are topologically organized with nontrivial connectivity characteristics such as small-worldness and densely linked hubs to support highly segregated and integrated information processing. However, how they emerge and change at very early developmental phases remains poorly understood. Here, we used resting-state functional MRI and voxel-based graph theory analysis to systematically investigate the topological organization of whole-brain networks in 40 infants aged around 31 to 42 postmenstrual weeks. The functional connectivity strength and heterogeneity increased significantly in primary motor, somatosensory, visual, and auditory regions, but much less in high-order default-mode and executive-control regions. The hub and rich-club structures in primary regions were already present at around 31 postmenstrual weeks and exhibited remarkable expansions with age, accompanied by increased local clustering and shortest path length, indicating a transition from a relatively random to a more organized configuration. Moreover, multivariate pattern analysis using support vector regression revealed that individual brain maturity of preterm babies could be predicted by the network connectivity patterns. Collectively, we highlighted a gradually enhanced functional network segregation manner in the third trimester, which is primarily driven by the rapid increases of functional connectivity of the primary regions, providing crucial insights into the topological development patterns prior to birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yong He
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Zhengjia Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xuhong Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Tina Jeon
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Minhui Ouyang
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Yanchao Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Nancy Rollins
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Qi Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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94
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Watanabe H, Shitara Y, Aoki Y, Inoue T, Tsuchida S, Takahashi N, Taga G. Hemoglobin phase of oxygenation and deoxygenation in early brain development measured using fNIRS. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E1737-E1744. [PMID: 28196885 PMCID: PMC5338505 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1616866114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A crucial issue in neonatal medicine is the impact of preterm birth on the developmental trajectory of the brain. Although a growing number of studies have shown alterations in the structure and function of the brain in preterm-born infants, we propose a method to detect subtle differences in neurovascular and metabolic functions in neonates and infants. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to obtain time-averaged phase differences between spontaneous low-frequency (less than 0.1 Hz) oscillatory changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) and those in deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb). This phase difference was referred to as hemoglobin phase of oxygenation and deoxygenation (hPod) in the cerebral tissue of sleeping neonates and infants. We examined hPod in term, late preterm, and early preterm infants with no evidence of clinical issues and found that all groups of infants showed developmental changes in the values of hPod from an in-phase to an antiphase pattern. Comparison of hPod among the groups revealed that developmental changes in hPod in early preterm infants precede those in late preterm and term infants at term equivalent age but then, progress at a slower pace. This study suggests that hPod measured using fNIRS is sensitive to the developmental stage of the integration of circular, neurovascular, and metabolic functions in the brains of neonates and infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hama Watanabe
- Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan;
| | - Yoshihiko Shitara
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Aoki
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takanobu Inoue
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shinya Tsuchida
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Naoto Takahashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Gentaro Taga
- Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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95
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Neonatal Amygdala Functional Connectivity at Rest in Healthy and Preterm Infants and Early Internalizing Symptoms. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2017; 56:157-166. [PMID: 28117062 PMCID: PMC5302247 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2016.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alterations in the normal developmental trajectory of amygdala resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC) have been associated with atypical emotional processes and psychopathology. Little is known, however, regarding amygdala rs-FC at birth or its relevance to outcomes. This study examined amygdala rs-FC in healthy, full-term (FT) infants and in very preterm (VPT) infants, and tested whether variability of neonatal amygdala rs-FC predicted internalizing symptoms at age 2 years. METHOD Resting state fMRI data were obtained shortly after birth from 65 FT infants (gestational age [GA] ≥36 weeks) and 57 VPT infants (GA <30 weeks) at term equivalent. Voxelwise correlation analyses were performed using individual-specific bilateral amygdala regions of interest. Total internalizing symptoms and the behavioral inhibition, depression/withdrawal, general anxiety, and separation distress subdomains were assessed in a subset (n = 44) at age 2 years using the Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment. RESULTS In FT and VPT infants, the amygdala demonstrated positive correlations with subcortical and limbic structures and negative correlations with cortical regions, although magnitudes were decreased in VPT infants. Neonatal amygdala rs-FC predicted internalizing symptoms at age 2 years with regional specificity consistent with known pathophysiology in older populations: connectivity with the anterior insula related to depressive symptoms, with the dorsal anterior cingulate related to generalized anxiety, and with the medial prefrontal cortex related to behavioral inhibition. CONCLUSION Amygdala rs-FC is well established in neonates. Variability in regional neonatal amygdala rs-FC predicted internalizing symptoms at 2 years, suggesting that risk for internalizing symptoms may be established in neonatal amygdala functional connectivity patterns.
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96
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Mongerson CRL, Jennings RW, Borsook D, Becerra L, Bajic D. Resting-State Functional Connectivity in the Infant Brain: Methods, Pitfalls, and Potentiality. Front Pediatr 2017; 5:159. [PMID: 28856131 PMCID: PMC5557740 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2017.00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Early brain development is characterized by rapid growth and perpetual reconfiguration, driven by a dynamic milieu of heterogeneous processes. Postnatal brain plasticity is associated with increased vulnerability to environmental stimuli. However, little is known regarding the ontogeny and temporal manifestations of inter- and intra-regional functional connectivity that comprise functional brain networks. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has emerged as a promising non-invasive neuroinvestigative tool, measuring spontaneous fluctuations in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal at rest that reflect baseline neuronal activity. Over the past decade, its application has expanded to infant populations providing unprecedented insight into functional organization of the developing brain, as well as early biomarkers of abnormal states. However, many methodological issues of rs-fMRI analysis need to be resolved prior to standardization of the technique to infant populations. As a primary goal, this methodological manuscript will (1) present a robust methodological protocol to extract and assess resting-state networks in early infancy using independent component analysis (ICA), such that investigators without previous knowledge in the field can implement the analysis and reliably obtain viable results consistent with previous literature; (2) review the current methodological challenges and ethical considerations associated with emerging field of infant rs-fMRI analysis; and (3) discuss the significance of rs-fMRI application in infants for future investigations of neurodevelopment in the context of early life stressors and pathological processes. The overarching goal is to catalyze efforts toward development of robust, infant-specific acquisition, and preprocessing pipelines, as well as promote greater transparency by researchers regarding methods used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandler R L Mongerson
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Russell W Jennings
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David Borsook
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lino Becerra
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dusica Bajic
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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97
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Bouyssi-Kobar M, du Plessis AJ, McCarter R, Brossard-Racine M, Murnick J, Tinkleman L, Robertson RL, Limperopoulos C. Third Trimester Brain Growth in Preterm Infants Compared With In Utero Healthy Fetuses. Pediatrics 2016; 138:peds.2016-1640. [PMID: 27940782 PMCID: PMC5079081 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-1640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Compared with term infants, preterm infants have impaired brain development at term-equivalent age, even in the absence of structural brain injury. However, details regarding the onset and progression of impaired preterm brain development over the third trimester are unknown. Our primary objective was to compare third-trimester brain volumes and brain growth trajectories in ex utero preterm infants without structural brain injury and in healthy in utero fetuses. As a secondary objective, we examined risk factors associated with brain volumes in preterm infants over the third-trimester postconception. METHODS Preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestational age (GA) and weighing <1500 g with no evidence of structural brain injury on conventional MRI and healthy pregnant women were prospectively recruited. Anatomic T2-weighted brain images of preterm infants and healthy fetuses were parcellated into the following regions: cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, and intracranial cavity. RESULTS We studied 205 participants (75 preterm infants and 130 healthy control fetuses) between 27 and 39 weeks' GA. Third-trimester brain volumes were reduced and brain growth trajectories were slower in the ex utero preterm group compared with the in utero healthy fetuses in the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, and intracranial cavity. Clinical risk factors associated with reduced brain volumes included dexamethasone treatment, the presence of extra-axial blood on brain MRI, confirmed sepsis, and duration of oxygen support. CONCLUSIONS These preterm infants exhibited impaired third-trimester global and regional brain growth in the absence of cerebral/cerebellar parenchymal injury detected by using conventional MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Bouyssi-Kobar
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Departments of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology,,Institute for Biomedical Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | - Robert McCarter
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Children’s National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Marie Brossard-Racine
- Department of Pediatrics Neurology, Montreal Children’s Hospital–McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and
| | - Jonathan Murnick
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Departments of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology
| | - Laura Tinkleman
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Departments of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology
| | - Richard L. Robertson
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital Boston/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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98
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Scheinost D, Kwon SH, Lacadie C, Sze G, Sinha R, Constable RT, Ment LR. Prenatal stress alters amygdala functional connectivity in preterm neonates. Neuroimage Clin 2016; 12:381-8. [PMID: 27622134 PMCID: PMC5009231 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2016.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 08/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to prenatal and early-life stress results in alterations in neural connectivity and an increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders. In particular, alterations in amygdala connectivity have emerged as a common effect across several recent studies. However, the impact of prenatal stress exposure on the functional organization of the amygdala has yet to be explored in the prematurely-born, a population at high risk for neuropsychiatric disorders. We test the hypothesis that preterm birth and prenatal exposure to maternal stress alter functional connectivity of the amygdala using two independent cohorts. The first cohort is used to establish the effects of preterm birth and consists of 12 very preterm neonates and 25 term controls, all without prenatal stress exposure. The second is analyzed to establish the effects of prenatal stress exposure and consists of 16 extremely preterm neonates with prenatal stress exposure and 10 extremely preterm neonates with no known prenatal stress exposure. Standard resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and seed connectivity methods are used. When compared to term controls, very preterm neonates show significantly reduced connectivity between the amygdala and the thalamus, the hypothalamus, the brainstem, and the insula (p < 0.05). Similarly, when compared to extremely preterm neonates without exposure to prenatal stress, extremely preterm neonates with exposure to prenatal stress show significantly less connectivity between the left amygdala and the thalamus, the hypothalamus, and the peristriate cortex (p < 0.05). Exploratory analysis of the combined cohorts suggests additive effects of prenatal stress on alterations in amygdala connectivity associated with preterm birth. Functional connectivity from the amygdala to other subcortical regions is decreased in preterm neonates compared to term controls. In addition, these data, for the first time, suggest that prenatal stress exposure amplifies these decreases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin Scheinost
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Soo Hyun Kwon
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Cheryl Lacadie
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Gordon Sze
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Rajita Sinha
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Child Study, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - R. Todd Constable
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Laura R. Ment
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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99
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Smyser CD, Dosenbach NUF, Smyser TA, Snyder AZ, Rogers CE, Inder TE, Schlaggar BL, Neil JJ. Prediction of brain maturity in infants using machine-learning algorithms. Neuroimage 2016; 136:1-9. [PMID: 27179605 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent resting-state functional MRI investigations have demonstrated that much of the large-scale functional network architecture supporting motor, sensory and cognitive functions in older pediatric and adult populations is present in term- and prematurely-born infants. Application of new analytical approaches can help translate the improved understanding of early functional connectivity provided through these studies into predictive models of neurodevelopmental outcome. One approach to achieving this goal is multivariate pattern analysis, a machine-learning, pattern classification approach well-suited for high-dimensional neuroimaging data. It has previously been adapted to predict brain maturity in children and adolescents using structural and resting state-functional MRI data. In this study, we evaluated resting state-functional MRI data from 50 preterm-born infants (born at 23-29weeks of gestation and without moderate-severe brain injury) scanned at term equivalent postmenstrual age compared with data from 50 term-born control infants studied within the first week of life. Using 214 regions of interest, binary support vector machines distinguished term from preterm infants with 84% accuracy (p<0.0001). Inter- and intra-hemispheric connections throughout the brain were important for group categorization, indicating that widespread changes in the brain's functional network architecture associated with preterm birth are detectable by term equivalent age. Support vector regression enabled quantitative estimation of birth gestational age in single subjects using only term equivalent resting state-functional MRI data, indicating that the present approach is sensitive to the degree of disruption of brain development associated with preterm birth (using gestational age as a surrogate for the extent of disruption). This suggests that support vector regression may provide a means for predicting neurodevelopmental outcome in individual infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Smyser
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
| | - Nico U F Dosenbach
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
| | - Tara A Smyser
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
| | - Abraham Z Snyder
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
| | - Cynthia E Rogers
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
| | - Terrie E Inder
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Bradley L Schlaggar
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
| | - Jeffrey J Neil
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 333 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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100
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Cusack R, Ball G, Smyser CD, Dehaene-Lambertz G. A neural window on the emergence of cognition. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2016; 1369:7-23. [PMID: 27164193 PMCID: PMC4874873 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2015] [Revised: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Can babies think? A fundamental challenge for cognitive neuroscience is to answer when brain functions begin and in what form they first emerge. This is challenging with behavioral tasks, as it is difficult to communicate to an infant what a task requires, and motor function is impoverished, making execution of the appropriate response difficult. To circumvent these requirements, neuroimaging provides a complementary route for assessing the emergence of cognition. Starting from the prerequisites of cognitive function and building stepwise, we review when the cortex forms and when it becomes gyrated and regionally differentiated. We then discuss when white matter tracts mature and when functional brain networks arise. Finally, we assess the responsiveness of these brain systems to external events. We find that many cognitive systems are observed surprisingly early. Some emerge before birth, with activations in the frontal lobe even in the first months of gestation. These discoveries are changing our understanding of the nature of cognitive networks and their early function, transforming cognitive neuroscience, and opening new windows for education and investigation. Infant neuroimaging also has tremendous clinical potential, for both detecting atypical development and facilitating earlier intervention. Finally, we discuss the key technical developments that are enabling this nascent field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhodri Cusack
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gareth Ball
- Centre for the Developing Brain, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher D. Smyser
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics and Radiology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Ghislaine Dehaene-Lambertz
- Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, CEA DSV/I2BM, INSERM, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, NeuroSpin Center, Gif/Yvette, France
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