1
|
Gorham LS, Latham AR, Alexopoulos D, Kenley JK, Iannopollo E, Lean RE, Loseille D, Smyser TA, Neil JJ, Rogers CE, Smyser CD, Garcia K. Children born very preterm experience altered cortical expansion over the first decade of life. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae318. [PMID: 39329081 PMCID: PMC11426356 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The brain develops rapidly from the final trimester of gestation through childhood, with cortical surface area expanding greatly in the first decade of life. However, it is unclear exactly where and how cortical surface area changes after birth, or how prematurity affects these developmental trajectories. Fifty-two very preterm (gestational age at birth = 26 ± 1.6 weeks) and 41 full-term (gestational age at birth = 39 ± 1.2 weeks) infants were scanned using structural magnetic resonance imaging at term-equivalent age and again at 9/10 years of age. Individual cortical surface reconstructions were extracted for each scan. Infant and 9/10 cortical surfaces were aligned using anatomically constrained Multimodal Surface Matching (aMSM), a technique that allows calculation of local expansion gradients across the cortical surface for each individual subject. At the neonatal time point, very preterm infants had significantly smaller surface area than their full-term peers (P < 0.001), but at the age 9/10-year time point, very preterm and full-term children had comparable surface area (P > 0.05). Across all subjects, cortical expansion by age 9/10 years was most pronounced in frontal, temporal, and supramarginal/inferior parietal junction areas, which are key association cortices (P Spin < 0.001). Very preterm children showed greater cortical surface area expansion between term-equivalent age and age 9/10 compared to their full-term peers in the medial and lateral frontal areas, precuneus, and middle temporal/banks of the superior sulcus junction (P < 0.05). Furthermore, within the very preterm group, expansion was highly variable within the orbitofrontal cortex and posterior regions of the brain. By mapping these patterns across the cortex, we identify differences in association cortices that are known to be important for executive functioning, emotion processing, and social cognition. Additional longitudinal work will be needed to understand if increased expansion in very preterm children is adaptive, or if differences persist into adulthood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Gorham
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Aidan R Latham
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Dimitrios Alexopoulos
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jeanette K Kenley
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Emily Iannopollo
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Rachel E Lean
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - David Loseille
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tara A Smyser
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Neil
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Cynthia E Rogers
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Christopher D Smyser
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kara Garcia
- Department of Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Evansville, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Selvanathan T, Ufkes S, Guo T, Chau V, Branson HM, Ibrahim GM, Ly LG, Kelly EN, Grunau RE, Miller SP. Pain Exposure and Brain Connectivity in Preterm Infants. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e242551. [PMID: 38488791 PMCID: PMC10943417 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.2551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Early-life exposure to painful procedures has been associated with altered brain maturation and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants, although sex-specific differences are largely unknown. Objective To examine sex-specific associations among early-life pain exposure, alterations in neonatal structural connectivity, and 18-month neurodevelopment in preterm infants. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective cohort study recruited 193 very preterm infants from April 1, 2015, to April 1, 2019, across 2 tertiary neonatal intensive care units in Toronto, Canada. Structural connectivity data were available for 150 infants; neurodevelopmental outcomes were available for 123 infants. Data were analyzed from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023. Exposure Pain was quantified in the initial weeks after birth as the total number of invasive procedures. Main Outcome and Measure Infants underwent early-life and/or term-equivalent-age magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion tensor imaging to quantify structural connectivity using graph theory measures and regional connection strength. Eighteen-month neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition. Stratifying by sex, generalized estimating equations were used to assess whether pain exposure modified the maturation of structural connectivity using an interaction term (early-life pain exposure × postmenstrual age [PMA] at scan). Generalized estimating equations were used to assess associations between structural connectivity and neurodevelopmental outcomes, adjusting for extreme prematurity and maternal education. Results A total of 150 infants (80 [53%] male; median [IQR] gestational age at birth, 27.1 [25.4-29.0] weeks) with structural connectivity data were analyzed. Sex-specific associations were found between early-life pain and neonatal brain connectivity in female infants only, with greater early-life pain exposure associated with slower maturation in global efficiency (pain × PMA at scan interaction P = .002) and local efficiency (pain × PMA at scan interaction P = .005). In the full cohort, greater pain exposure was associated with lower global efficiency (coefficient, -0.46; 95% CI, -0.78, to -0.15; P = .004) and local efficiency (coefficient, -0.57; 95% CI, -1.04 to -0.10; P = .02) and regional connection strength. Local efficiency (coefficient, 0.003; 95% CI, 0.001-0.004; P = .005) and regional connection strength in the striatum were associated with cognitive outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of very preterm infants, greater exposure to early-life pain was associated with altered maturation of neonatal structural connectivity, particularly in female infants. Alterations in structural connectivity were associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes, with potential regional specificities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thiviya Selvanathan
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven Ufkes
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Computational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ting Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vann Chau
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helen M. Branson
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children and Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - George M. Ibrahim
- Department of Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Linh G. Ly
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edmond N. Kelly
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth E. Grunau
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Steven P. Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rapuc S, Pierrat V, Marchand-Martin L, Benhammou V, Kaminski M, Ancel PY, Twilhaar ES. The interrelatedness of cognitive abilities in very preterm and full-term born children at 5.5 years of age: a psychometric network analysis approach. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 65:18-30. [PMID: 37165961 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Very preterm (VP) birth is associated with a considerable risk for cognitive impairment, putting children at a disadvantage in academic and everyday life. Despite lower cognitive ability on the group level, there are large individual differences among VP born children. Contemporary theories define intelligence as a network of reciprocally connected cognitive abilities. Therefore, intelligence was studied as a network of interrelated abilities to provide insight into interindividual differences. We described and compared the network of cognitive abilities, including strength of interrelations between and the relative importance of abilities, of VP and full-term (FT) born children and VP children with below-average and average-high intelligence at 5.5 years. METHODS A total of 2,253 VP children from the EPIPAGE-2 cohort and 578 FT controls who participated in the 5.5-year-follow-up were eligible for inclusion. The WPPSI-IV was used to measure verbal comprehension, visuospatial abilities, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. Psychometric network analysis was applied to analyse the data. RESULTS Cognitive abilities were densely and positively interconnected in all networks, but the strength of connections differed between networks. The cognitive network of VP children was more strongly interconnected than that of FT children. Furthermore, VP children with below average IQ had a more strongly connected network than VP children with average-high IQ. Contrary to our expectations, working memory had the least central role in all networks. CONCLUSIONS In line with the ability differentiation hypothesis, children with higher levels of cognitive ability had a less interconnected and more specialised cognitive structure. Composite intelligence scores may therefore mask domain-specific deficits, particularly in children at risk for cognitive impairments (e.g., VP born children), even when general intelligence is unimpaired. In children with strongly and densely connected networks, domain-specific deficits may have a larger overall impact, resulting in lower intelligence levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Rapuc
- Université Paris Cité, CRESS, Obstetrical Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (EPOPé), INSERM, INRAE, Paris, France
| | - V Pierrat
- Université Paris Cité, CRESS, Obstetrical Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (EPOPé), INSERM, INRAE, Paris, France
- Department of Neonatology, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - L Marchand-Martin
- Université Paris Cité, CRESS, Obstetrical Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (EPOPé), INSERM, INRAE, Paris, France
| | - V Benhammou
- Université Paris Cité, CRESS, Obstetrical Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (EPOPé), INSERM, INRAE, Paris, France
| | - M Kaminski
- Université Paris Cité, CRESS, Obstetrical Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (EPOPé), INSERM, INRAE, Paris, France
| | - P-Y Ancel
- Université Paris Cité, CRESS, Obstetrical Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (EPOPé), INSERM, INRAE, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Clinical Investigation Centre P1419, Paris, France
| | - E S Twilhaar
- Université Paris Cité, CRESS, Obstetrical Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (EPOPé), INSERM, INRAE, Paris, France
- Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Meng J, Zhao Y, Wang H, Sun J, Xu M, Ming D. Temporal prediction changes motor-related EEG phase synchronization and network centrality in alpha and beta band. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38083725 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Much neurophysiological evidence revealed motor system is involved in temporal prediction. However, It remains unknown how temporal prediction influences motor-related neural representations. Thus, more neural evidence is needed to understand better how temporal prediction influences the motor. This study designed a rhythmic finger-tap task and formed three temporal prediction conditions, i.e., 1000ms temporal prediction, 1500ms temporal prediction, and no temporal prediction. Behavioral and EEG data from 24 healthy subjects were recorded. The weighted phase lag index was calculated to measure the degree of phase synchronization. Eigenvector centrality and betweenness centrality were used to measure brain connectivity. Behavioral results showed that tap-visual asynchronies were decreased when temporal prediction existed. Phase synchronization results showed, compared to no temporal prediction, the alpha-band phase synchronization between the frontal and central area was reduced in 1000ms temporal prediction, and the beta-band phase synchronization between the frontal and parietal area was decreased in 1500ms temporal prediction. As to the brain connectivity, compared to no temporal prediction condition, the eigenvector centrality of the left frontal in 1500ms temporal prediction was decreased in the alpha band, and the betweenness centrality of the right temporal in 1000ms temporal prediction was reduced in the alpha-band. These results can provide new neural evidence for a better understanding of temporal prediction and motor interactions.
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu Y, Nie B, Wang Y, He F, Ma Q, Han T, Mao G, Liu J, Zu H, Mu X, Wu B. Correlation of abnormal brain changes with perinatal factors in very preterm infants based on diffusion tensor imaging. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1137559. [PMID: 37065913 PMCID: PMC10101202 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1137559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundIt remains unclear whether very preterm (VP) infants have the same level of brain structure and function as full-term (FT) infants. In addition, the relationship between potential differences in brain white matter microstructure and network connectivity and specific perinatal factors has not been well characterized.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the existence of potential differences in brain white matter microstructure and network connectivity between VP and FT infants at term-equivalent age (TEA) and examine the potential association of these differences with perinatal factors.MethodsA total of 83 infants were prospectively selected for this study: 43 VP infants (gestational age, or GA: 27–32 weeks) and 40 FT infants (GA: 37–44 weeks). All infants at TEA underwent both conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Significant differences in white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) images between the VP and FT groups were observed using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). The fibers were tracked between each pair of regions in the individual space, using the automated anatomical labeling (AAL) atlas. Then, a structural brain network was constructed, where the connection between each pair of nodes was defined by the number of fibers. Network-based statistics (NBS) were used to examine differences in brain network connectivity between the VP and FT groups. Additionally, multivariate linear regression was conducted to investigate potential correlations between fiber bundle numbers and network metrics (global efficiency, local efficiency, and small-worldness) and perinatal factors.ResultsSignificant differences in FA were observed between the VP and FT groups in several regions. These differences were found to be significantly associated with perinatal factors such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), activity, pulse, grimace, appearance, respiratory (APGAR) score, gestational hypertension, and infection. Significant differences in network connectivity were observed between the VP and FT groups. Linear regression results showed significant correlations between maternal years of education, weight, the APGAR score, GA at birth, and network metrics in the VP group.ConclusionsThe findings of this study shed light on the influence of perinatal factors on brain development in VP infants. These results may serve as a basis for clinical intervention and treatment to improve the outcome of preterm infants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- School of Medical Imaging, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
- Department of Radiology, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Binbin Nie
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yituo Wang
- Department of Radiology, Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fang He
- Child Growth and Development Clinic, Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaozhi Ma
- Department of Radiology, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Han
- Department of Neonatology, Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guangjuan Mao
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiqiang Liu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Haiping Zu
- Department of Radiology, Specialized Medical Center of the Rocket Army, Beijing, China
| | - Xuetao Mu
- Department of Radiology, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xuetao Mu
| | - Bing Wu
- Department of Radiology, Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Bing Wu
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mahabee-Gittens EM, Kline-Fath BM, Harun N, Folger AT, He L, Parikh NA. Prenatal tobacco smoke exposure and risk of brain abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging at term in infants born very preterm. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2023; 5:100856. [PMID: 36592820 PMCID: PMC9974884 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal tobacco smoke exposure and preterm birth are associated with abnormal brain and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants. Studies that can disentangle indirect mediating effects from direct effects of prenatal tobacco smoke exposure on sensitive early brain magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers in very preterm infants are needed. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine whether prenatal tobacco smoke exposure in preterm infants posed any direct effects on magnetic resonance imaging-determined global brain abnormality score and secondary measures of brain abnormalities after removing any indirect mediating effects of preterm birth on neurostructural outcomes. STUDY DESIGN We examined brain magnetic resonance imaging findings collected at 39 to 44 weeks postmenstrual age from a prospective cohort of 395 infants born very preterm (gestational age of ≤32 weeks). The primary outcome was global brain abnormality score, and the secondary outcomes were global efficiency of structural connectome, diffuse white matter abnormality volume, total brain tissue volume, total gray and white matter volumes, and cerebellar volume. Maternal reports of smoking during pregnancy were obtained. We performed multivariable linear regression analyses to examine the association between prenatal tobacco smoke exposure and our magnetic resonance imaging outcomes, controlling for prospectively collected confounders. Moreover, we performed a mediation analysis to estimate the direct effects of prenatal tobacco smoke exposure on brain abnormalities and any indirect effects through preterm birth. RESULTS Overall, 12.6% of infants had prenatal tobacco smoke exposure. Infants with prenatal tobacco smoke exposure had a higher median global brain abnormality score than nonexposed infants (7 [interquartile range, 0-41] vs 5 [interquartile range, 0-34]; P≤.001); the findings remained significant (P<.001) after controlling for antenatal confounders. Global efficiency (P<.001), diffuse white matter volume (P=.037), and total brain tissue volume (P=.047) were significantly different between TSE groups in multivariable analyses. On mediation analysis, preterm birth mediated between 0% and 29% of the indirect effect of prenatal tobacco smoke exposure on several measures of brain abnormality outcomes. Thus, prenatal tobacco smoke exposure had a direct adverse effect between 71% and 100% on brain injury or abnormal development. CONCLUSION Our study has identified multiple adverse effects of prenatal tobacco smoke exposure on sensitive and objective measures of neonatal brain injury and abnormal development; most cases seemed to be a direct effect of prenatal tobacco smoke exposure on fetal brain development. The results underscored the significant adverse neurostructural effects of prenatal tobacco smoke exposure to tobacco smoke pollutants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Melinda Mahabee-Gittens
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH (Dr Mahabee-Gittens).
| | - Beth M Kline-Fath
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH (Drs Mahabee-Gittens, Kline-Fath, Folger, He, and Parikh)
| | - Nusrat Harun
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati OH (Dr Harun and Folger)
| | - Alonzo T Folger
- Departments of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH (Drs Kline-Fath and He)
| | - Lili He
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH (Drs Mahabee-Gittens, Kline-Fath, Folger, He, and Parikh)
| | - Nehal A Parikh
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH (Dr Mahabee-Gittens); Center for Prevention of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States (Drs He and Parikh)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
DiPiero M, Rodrigues PG, Gromala A, Dean DC. Applications of advanced diffusion MRI in early brain development: a comprehensive review. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:367-392. [PMID: 36585970 PMCID: PMC9974794 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02605-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Brain development follows a protracted developmental timeline with foundational processes of neurodevelopment occurring from the third trimester of gestation into the first decade of life. Defining structural maturational patterns of early brain development is a critical step in detecting divergent developmental trajectories associated with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders that arise later in life. While considerable advancements have already been made in diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) for pediatric research over the past three decades, the field of neurodevelopment is still in its infancy with remarkable scientific and clinical potential. This comprehensive review evaluates the application, findings, and limitations of advanced dMRI methods beyond diffusion tensor imaging, including diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD), neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) and composite hindered and restricted model of diffusion (CHARMED) to quantify the rapid and dynamic changes supporting the underlying microstructural architectural foundations of the brain in early life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marissa DiPiero
- Department of Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | | | - Alyssa Gromala
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Douglas C Dean
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ryan MAJ, Mathieson SR, Livingstone V, O'Sullivan MP, Dempsey EM, Boylan GB. Sleep state organisation of moderate to late preterm infants in the neonatal unit. Pediatr Res 2023; 93:595-603. [PMID: 36474114 PMCID: PMC9988685 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02319-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep supports neurodevelopment and sleep architecture reflects brain maturation. This prospective observational study describes the nocturnal sleep architecture of healthy moderate to late preterm (MLP) infants in the neonatal unit at 36 weeks post menstrual age (PMA). METHODS MLP infants, in the neonatal unit of a tertiary hospital in Ireland from 2017 to 2018, had overnight continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) with video for a minimum 12 h at 36 weeks PMA. The total sleep time (TST) including periods of active sleep (AS), quiet sleep (QS), indeterminate sleep (IS), wakefulness and feeding were identified, annotated and quantified. RESULTS A total of 98 infants had cEEG with video monitoring suitable for analysis. The median (IQR) of TST in the 12 h period was 7.09 h (IQR 6.61-7.76 h), 4.58 h (3.69-5.09 h) in AS, 2.02 h (1.76-2.36 h) in QS and 0.65 h (0.48-0.89 h) in IS. The total duration of AS was significantly lower in infants born at lower GA (p = 0.007) whilst the duration of individual QS periods was significantly higher (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION Overnight cEEG with video at 36 weeks PMA showed that sleep state architecture is dependent on birth GA. Infants with a lower birth GA have less AS and more QS that may have implications for later neurodevelopment. IMPACT EEG provides objective information about the sleep organisation of the moderate to late preterm (MLP) infant. Quantitative changes in sleep states occur with each week of advancing gestational age (GA). Active sleep (AS) is the dominant sleep state that was significantly lower in infants born at lower GA. MLP infants who were exclusively fed orally had a shorter total sleep time and less AS compared to infants who were fed via nasogastric tube.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Anne J Ryan
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Neonatology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sean R Mathieson
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Vicki Livingstone
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Marc Paul O'Sullivan
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Eugene M Dempsey
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Neonatology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - Geraldine B Boylan
- INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. .,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Altered functional connectivity in children born very preterm at school age. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7308. [PMID: 35508563 PMCID: PMC9068715 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11184-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Children born very preterm are at significant risk of neurodevelopmental impairment. This study sought to identify differences in cognitive function in children born very preterm compared to term-born controls and investigate alteration in white matter microstructure and functional connectivity (FC) based on tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and resting-state functional MRI, respectively. At 6 years of age, 36 children born very preterm (< 32 weeks' gestation) without major neurological disabilities and 26 term-born controls were tested using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th edition, and Child Behavior Checklist. Whole-brain deterministic tractography and FC measurements were performed in both groups. The very preterm group had significantly lower intelligence scores than the term-born controls. The TBSS revealed no significant differences between the two groups, whereas FC was significantly increased between the frontoparietal network and the language network and was significantly decreased between the right salience network nodes in the very preterm group. The altered FC patterns between specific regions of the higher-order networks may reflect underlying deficits in the functional network architecture associated with cognitive function. Further studies are needed to demonstrate a direct connection between FC in these regions and cognitive function.
Collapse
|
10
|
Su WC, Amonkar N, Cleffi C, Srinivasan S, Bhat A. Neural Effects of Physical Activity and Movement Interventions in Individuals With Developmental Disabilities-A Systematic Review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:794652. [PMID: 35242063 PMCID: PMC8886122 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.794652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with developmental disabilities present with perceptuo-motor, social communication, and cognitive impairments that often relate to underlying atypical brain structure and functioning. Physical activity/movement interventions improve behavioral performance of individuals with and without developmental disabilities. Majority of the evidence on potential neural mechanisms explaining the impact of physical activity/movement interventions is based on studies in individuals with typical development; there is a dearth of systematic reviews synthesizing the neural effects of physical activity/movement interventions in individuals with developmental disabilities. In this systematic review, we have gathered evidence on the neural effects of physical activity/movement interventions from 32 papers reporting substantial neural effects and behavioral improvements in individuals with developmental disabilities. Chronic intervention effects (multiple sessions) were greater than acute intervention effects (single session). Specifically, using electroencephalogram, functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy, studies found physical activity/movement intervention-related changes in neural activity, indicating normalization of cortical arousal in individuals with attention-deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increased social brain connectivity in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and more efficient executive functioning processes in individuals with a wide range of other developmental disabilities. Despite promising results, more research is clearly needed in this area with larger sample sizes, using standardized neuroimaging tools/variables, and across multiple diagnoses to further explore the neural mechanisms underlying physical activity/movement interventions and to replicate findings from the present review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Chun Su
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
- Biomechanics and Movement Science Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Nidhi Amonkar
- Physical Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Corina Cleffi
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
- Biomechanics and Movement Science Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Sudha Srinivasan
- Physical Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- Institute for Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP), University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- The Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences (IBACS), University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Anjana Bhat
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
- Biomechanics and Movement Science Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Barnes-Davis ME, Williamson BJ, Merhar SL, Nagaraj UD, Parikh NA, Kadis DS. Extracallosal Structural Connectivity Is Positively Associated With Language Performance in Well-Performing Children Born Extremely Preterm. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:821121. [PMID: 35372163 PMCID: PMC8971711 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.821121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Children born extremely preterm (<28 weeks gestation) are at risk for language delay or disorders. Decreased structural connectivity in preterm children has been associated with poor language outcome. Previously, we used multimodal imaging techniques to demonstrate that increased functional connectivity during a stories listening task was positively associated with language scores for preterm children. This functional connectivity was supported by extracallosal structural hyperconnectivity when compared to term-born children. Here, we attempt to validate this finding in a distinct cohort of well-performing extremely preterm children (EPT, n = 16) vs. term comparisons (TC, n = 28) and also compare this to structural connectivity in a group of extremely preterm children with a history of language delay or disorder (EPT-HLD, n = 8). All participants are 4-6 years of age. We perform q-space diffeomorphic reconstruction and functionally-constrained structural connectometry (based on fMRI activation), including a novel extension enabling between-groups comparisons with non-parametric ANOVA. There were no significant differences between groups in age, sex, race, ethnicity, parental education, family income, or language scores. For EPT, tracks positively associated with language scores included the bilateral posterior inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi and bilateral cerebellar peduncles and additional cerebellar white matter. Quantitative anisotropy in these pathways accounted for 55% of the variance in standardized language scores for the EPT group specifically. Future work will expand this cohort and follow longitudinally to investigate the impact of environmental factors on developing language networks and resiliency in the preterm brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Barnes-Davis
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Brady J Williamson
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Stephanie L Merhar
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Usha D Nagaraj
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Nehal A Parikh
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Darren S Kadis
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Giordano V, Stummer S, Lindtner C, Fuiko R, Berger A, Pichler K. Neonatal sepsis is associated with behavioral abnormalities in very low birthweight infants at preschool age. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:906379. [PMID: 35923781 PMCID: PMC9339780 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.906379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate neonatal sepsis as potential risk factor for adverse behavioral outcome in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) at preschool age. Regardless of improvements in the obstetric and neonatal intensive care, preterm infants are still at high risk for behavioral problems later in life. The spectrum, origin and potential risk factors of these behavioral problems have not been well-defined. METHODS In this retrospective observational study, the influence of culture-proven neonatal sepsis on the behavioral outcome of VLBWI born at a gestational age <32 weeks was analyzed at 5 years of age in a multivariable regression model. Behavior was assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Neonatal morbidities, socioeconomic status and neurodevelopmental outcome served as covariates in the analysis. RESULTS 312 VLBWI entered the final analysis, of whom 11% had experienced neonatal sepsis. Neonatal sepsis appeared to be a relevant risk factor for both internalizing, i.e., emotional reactivity and anxiety/depression, as well as externalizing behavioral problems, i.e., oppositional and aggressive behavior in this cohort of VLBWI. Low socioeconomic status and male gender were additional statistically significant risk factors for both internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems. No difference in neurocognitive development was observed between the groups. CONCLUSION The study supports the fact that VLBWI are vulnerable to multiple behavioral disorders independent of their cognitive development. In contrast to former assumptions, the results of the study emphasize that not only post-natal environment but also neonatal morbidities, especially neonatal sepsis, have an impact on behavioral outcome of VLBWI at preschool age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vito Giordano
- Division of Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Comprehensive Center for Paediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sophie Stummer
- Division of Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Comprehensive Center for Paediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Lindtner
- Division of Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Comprehensive Center for Paediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Renate Fuiko
- Division of Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Comprehensive Center for Paediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Angelika Berger
- Division of Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Comprehensive Center for Paediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Pichler
- Division of Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Comprehensive Center for Paediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kline JE, Yuan W, Harpster K, Altaye M, Parikh NA. Association between brain structural network efficiency at term-equivalent age and early development of cerebral palsy in very preterm infants. Neuroimage 2021; 245:118688. [PMID: 34758381 PMCID: PMC9264481 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Very preterm infants (born at less than 32 weeks gestational age) are at high risk for serious motor impairments, including cerebral palsy (CP). The brain network changes that antecede the early development of CP in infants are not well characterized, and a better understanding may suggest new strategies for risk-stratification at term, which could lead to earlier access to therapies. Graph theoretical methods applied to diffusion MRI-derived brain connectomes may help quantify the organization and information transfer capacity of the preterm brain with greater nuance than overt structural or regional microstructural changes. Our aim was to shed light on the pathophysiology of early CP development, before the occurrence of early intervention therapies and other environmental confounders, to help identify the best early biomarkers of CP risk in VPT infants. In a cohort of 395 very preterm infants, we extracted cortical morphometrics and brain volumes from structural MRI and also applied graph theoretical methods to diffusion MRI connectomes, both acquired at term-equivalent age. Metrics from graph network analysis, especially global efficiency, strength values of the major sensorimotor tracts, and local efficiency of the motor nodes and novel non-motor regions were strongly inversely related to early CP diagnosis. These measures remained significantly associated with CP after correction for common risk factors of motor development, suggesting that metrics of brain network efficiency at term may be sensitive biomarkers for early CP detection. We demonstrate for the first time that in VPT infants, early CP diagnosis is anteceded by decreased brain network segregation in numerous nodes, including motor regions commonly-associated with CP and also novel regions that may partially explain the high rate of cognitive impairments concomitant with CP diagnosis. These advanced MRI biomarkers may help identify the highest risk infants by term-equivalent age, facilitating earlier interventions that are informed by early pathophysiological changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Kline
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7009, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Weihong Yuan
- Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Radiology, Division of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Karen Harpster
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise, and Nutrition Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Mekibib Altaye
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Nehal A Parikh
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7009, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States; Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
He L, Li H, Chen M, Wang J, Altaye M, Dillman JR, Parikh NA. Deep Multimodal Learning From MRI and Clinical Data for Early Prediction of Neurodevelopmental Deficits in Very Preterm Infants. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:753033. [PMID: 34675773 PMCID: PMC8525883 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.753033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of disabled survivors of prematurity has increased dramatically in the past 3 decades. These survivors, especially, very preterm infants (VPIs), born ≤ 32 weeks gestational age, are at high risk for neurodevelopmental impairments. Early and clinically effective personalized prediction of outcomes, which forms the basis for early treatment decisions, is urgently needed during the peak neuroplasticity window—the first couple of years after birth—for at-risk infants, when intervention is likely to be most effective. Advances in MRI enable the noninvasive visualization of infants' brains through acquired multimodal images, which are more informative than unimodal MRI data by providing complementary/supplementary depicting of brain tissue characteristics and pathology. Thus, analyzing quantitative multimodal MRI features affords unique opportunities to study early postnatal brain development and neurodevelopmental outcome prediction in VPIs. In this study, we investigated the predictive power of multimodal MRI data, including T2-weighted anatomical MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, resting-state functional MRI, and clinical data for the prediction of neurodevelopmental deficits. We hypothesize that integrating multimodal MRI and clinical data improves the prediction over using each individual data modality. Employing the aforementioned multimodal data, we proposed novel end-to-end deep multimodal models to predict neurodevelopmental (i.e., cognitive, language, and motor) deficits independently at 2 years corrected age. We found that the proposed models can predict cognitive, language, and motor deficits at 2 years corrected age with an accuracy of 88.4, 87.2, and 86.7%, respectively, significantly better than using individual data modalities. This current study can be considered as proof-of-concept. A larger study with external validation is important to validate our approach to further assess its clinical utility and overall generalizability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili He
- Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Hailong Li
- Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Ming Chen
- Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Electronic Engineering and Computing Systems, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Jinghua Wang
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Mekibib Altaye
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Jonathan R Dillman
- Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Nehal A Parikh
- The Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
The structural connectome and internalizing and externalizing symptoms at 7 and 13 years in individuals born very preterm and full-term. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2021; 7:424-434. [PMID: 34655805 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children born very preterm (VP) are at higher risk of emotional and behavioral problems compared with full-term (FT) children. We investigated the neurobiological basis of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in individuals born VP and FT by applying a graph theory approach. METHODS Structural and diffusion MRI data were combined to generate structural connectomes and calculate measures of network integration and segregation at 7 (VP:72; FT:17) and 13 years (VP:125; FT:44). Internalizing and externalizing were assessed at 7 and 13 years using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Linear regression models were used to relate network measures and internalizing and externalizing symptoms concurrently at 7 and 13 years. RESULTS Lower network integration (characteristic path length and global efficiency) was associated with higher internalizing symptoms in VP and FT children at 7 years, but not at 13 years. The association between network integration (characteristic path length) and externalizing symptoms at 7 years was weaker, but there was some evidence for differential associations between groups, with lower integration in the VP and higher integration in the FT group associated with higher externalizing symptoms. At 13 years, there was some evidence that associations between network segregation (average clustering coefficient, transitivity, local efficiency) and externalizing differed between the VP and FT groups, with stronger positive associations in the VP group. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insights into the neurobiological basis of emotional and behavioral problems following preterm birth, highlighting the role of the structural connectome in internalizing and externalizing symptoms in childhood and adolescence.
Collapse
|
16
|
Inder TE, de Vries LS, Ferriero DM, Grant PE, Ment LR, Miller SP, Volpe JJ. Neuroimaging of the Preterm Brain: Review and Recommendations. J Pediatr 2021; 237:276-287.e4. [PMID: 34146549 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Terrie E Inder
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | - Linda S de Vries
- Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neonatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Donna M Ferriero
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Weill Institute of Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - P Ellen Grant
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Laura R Ment
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Steven P Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joseph J Volpe
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mukhopadhyay S, Puopolo KM, Hansen NI, Lorch SA, DeMauro SB, Greenberg RG, Cotten CM, Sánchez PJ, Bell EF, Eichenwald EC, Stoll BJ. Neurodevelopmental outcomes following neonatal late-onset sepsis and blood culture-negative conditions. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2021; 106:467-473. [PMID: 33478957 PMCID: PMC8292446 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-320664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determine risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in infants with late-onset sepsis (LOS) versus late-onset, antibiotic-treated, blood culture-negative conditions (LOCNC). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING 24 neonatal centres. PATIENTS Infants born 1/1/2006-31/12/2014, at 22-26 weeks gestation, with birth weight 401-1000 g and surviving >7 days were included. Infants with early-onset sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis, intestinal perforation or both LOS and LOCNC were excluded. EXPOSURES LOS and LOCNC were defined as antibiotic administration for ≥5 days with and without a positive blood/cerebrospinal fluid culture, respectively. Infants with these diagnoses were also compared with infants with neither condition. OUTCOMES Death or NDI was assessed at 18-26 months corrected age follow-up. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate relative risks adjusting for covariates occurring ≤7 days of age. RESULTS Of 7354 eligible infants, 3940 met inclusion criteria: 786 (20%) with LOS, 1601 (41%) with LOCNC and 1553 (39%) with neither. Infants with LOS had higher adjusted relative risk (95% CI) for death/NDI (1.14 (1.05 to 1.25)) and death before follow-up (1.71 (1.44 to 2.03)) than those with LOCNC. Among survivors, risk for NDI did not differ between the two groups (0.99 (0.86 to 1.13)) but was higher for LOCNC infants (1.17 (1.04 to 1.31)) compared with unaffected infants. CONCLUSIONS Infants with LOS had higher risk of death, but not NDI, compared with infants with LOCNC. Surviving infants with LOCNC had higher risk of NDI compared with unaffected infants. Improving outcomes for infants with LOCNC requires study of the underlying conditions and the potential impact of antibiotic exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sagori Mukhopadhyay
- Pediatrics, Neonatology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Karen M. Puopolo
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nellie I. Hansen
- Social, Statistical and Environmental Sciences Unit, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Scott A. Lorch
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sara B. DeMauro
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Pablo J. Sánchez
- Neonatology and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, The Center for Perinatal Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Edward F. Bell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Eric C. Eichenwald
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Barbara J. Stoll
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kline JE, Illapani VSP, Li H, He L, Yuan W, Parikh NA. Diffuse white matter abnormality in very preterm infants at term reflects reduced brain network efficiency. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2021; 31:102739. [PMID: 34237685 PMCID: PMC8378797 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Most preterm infants exhibit regions of high signal
intensity on T2 MRI at term. Debate remains as to whether this signal (DWMA) is
pathological. We quantified DWMA and used graph theory to measure
brain network efficiency. Whole-brain and regional network efficiency at term
decreased with greater DWMA. DWMA in very preterm infants is associated with
reduced brain efficiency at term.
Between 50 and 80% of very preterm infants (<32 weeks
gestational age) exhibit increased white matter signal intensity on T2-weighted
MRI at term-equivalent age, known as diffuse white matter abnormality (DWMA). A
few studies have linked DWMA with microstructural abnormalities, but the exact
relationship remains poorly understood. We related DWMA extent to graph theory
measures of network efficiency at term in a representative cohort of 343 very
preterm infants. We performed anatomic and diffusion MRI at term and quantified
DWMA volume with our novel, semi-automated algorithm. From diffusion-weighted
structural connectomes, we calculated the graph theory metrics local efficiency
and clustering coefficient, which measure the ability of groups of nodes to
perform specialized processing, and global efficiency, which assesses the
ability of brain regions to efficiently combine information. We computed partial
correlations between these measures and DWMA volume, adjusted for confounders.
Increasing DWMA volume was associated with decreased global efficiency of the
entire very preterm brain and decreased local efficiency and clustering
coefficient in a variety of regions supporting cognitive, linguistic, and motor
function. We show that DWMA is associated with widespread decreased brain
network efficiency, suggesting that it is pathologic and likely has adverse
developmental consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Kline
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | | | - Hailong Li
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Lili He
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Weihong Yuan
- Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Nehal A Parikh
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Padilla N, Saenger VM, van Hartevelt TJ, Fernandes HM, Lennartsson F, Andersson JLR, Kringelbach M, Deco G, Åden U. Breakdown of Whole-brain Dynamics in Preterm-born Children. Cereb Cortex 2021; 30:1159-1170. [PMID: 31504269 PMCID: PMC7132942 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain operates at a critical point that is balanced between order and disorder. Even during rest, unstable periods of random behavior are interspersed with stable periods of balanced activity patterns that support optimal information processing. Being born preterm may cause deviations from this normal pattern of development. We compared 33 extremely preterm (EPT) children born at < 27 weeks of gestation and 28 full-term controls. Two approaches were adopted in both groups, when they were 10 years of age, using structural and functional brain magnetic resonance imaging data. The first was using a novel intrinsic ignition analysis to study the ability of the areas of the brain to propagate neural activity. The second was a whole-brain Hopf model, to define the level of stability, desynchronization, or criticality of the brain. EPT-born children exhibited fewer intrinsic ignition events than controls; nodes were related to less sophisticated aspects of cognitive control, and there was a different hierarchy pattern in the propagation of information and suboptimal synchronicity and criticality. The largest differences were found in brain nodes belonging to the rich-club architecture. These results provide important insights into the neural substrates underlying brain reorganization and neurodevelopmental impairments related to prematurity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nelly Padilla
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Victor M Saenger
- Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Center for Brain and Cognition, Computational Neuroscience Group, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Roc Boronat 138, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tim J van Hartevelt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Ln, Oxford OX3 7JX, Storbritannien, United Kingdom.,Center for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University Hospital Nørrebrogade 44, Building 10G, 4th and 5th floor, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Henrique M Fernandes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Ln, Oxford OX3 7JX, Storbritannien, United Kingdom.,Center for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University Hospital Nørrebrogade 44, Building 10G, 4th and 5th floor, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Finn Lennartsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skånes universitetssjukhus Lund, Barngatan, Sweden
| | - Jesper L R Andersson
- FMRIB-Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Morten Kringelbach
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Ln, Oxford OX3 7JX, Storbritannien, United Kingdom.,Center for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University Hospital Nørrebrogade 44, Building 10G, 4th and 5th floor, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Gustavo Deco
- Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Center for Brain and Cognition, Computational Neuroscience Group, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Roc Boronat 138, Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de la Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.,School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Clayton VIC, Australia
| | - Ulrika Åden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neonatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kelly CE, Harding R, Lee KJ, Pascoe L, Josev EK, Spencer-Smith MM, Adamson C, Beare R, Nosarti C, Roberts G, Doyle LW, Seal ML, Thompson DK, Anderson PJ. Investigating the brain structural connectome following working memory training in children born extremely preterm or extremely low birth weight. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:2340-2350. [PMID: 33624327 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Children born extremely preterm (EP, <28 weeks' gestation) or extremely low birth weight (ELBW, <1,000 g) are a vulnerable population at high risk of working memory impairments. We aimed to examine changes in the brain structural connectivity networks thought to underlie working memory performance, after completion of a working memory training program (Cogmed) compared with a placebo program in EP/ELBW children. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial (the Improving Memory in a Preterm Randomised Intervention Trial). Children born EP/ELBW received either the Cogmed or placebo program at 7 years of age (n = 91). A subset of children had magnetic resonance imaging of the brain immediately pre- and 2 weeks post-training (Cogmed n = 28; placebo n = 27). T1 -weighted and diffusion-weighted images were used to perform graph theoretical analysis of structural connectivity networks. Changes from pre-training to post-training in structural connectivity metrics were generally similar between randomized groups. There was little evidence that changes in structural connectivity metrics were related to changes in working memory performance from pre- to post-training. Overall, our results provide little evidence that the Cogmed working memory training program has training-specific effects on structural connectivity networks in EP/ELBW children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Kelly
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebecca Harding
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Katherine J Lee
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Leona Pascoe
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Elisha K Josev
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Megan M Spencer-Smith
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chris Adamson
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Richard Beare
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chiara Nosarti
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gehan Roberts
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Health Services, Population Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Community Child Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lex W Doyle
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Newborn Research, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marc L Seal
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Deanne K Thompson
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter J Anderson
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Wheelock MD, Lean RE, Bora S, Melzer TR, Eggebrecht AT, Smyser CD, Woodward LJ. Functional Connectivity Network Disruption Underlies Domain-Specific Impairments in Attention for Children Born Very Preterm. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:1383-1394. [PMID: 33067997 PMCID: PMC8179512 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention problems are common in school-age children born very preterm (VPT; < 32 weeks gestational age), but the contribution of aberrant functional brain connectivity to these problems is not known. As part of a prospective longitudinal study, brain functional connectivity (fc) was assessed alongside behavioral measures of selective, sustained, and executive attention in 58 VPT and 65 full-term (FT) born children at corrected-age 12 years. VPT children had poorer sustained, shifting, and divided attention than FT children. Within the VPT group, poorer attention scores were associated with between-network connectivity in ventral attention, visual, and subcortical networks, whereas between-network connectivity in the frontoparietal, cingulo-opercular, dorsal attention, salience and motor networks was associated with attention functioning in FT children. Network-level differences were also evident between VPT and FT children in specific attention domains. Findings contribute to our understanding of fc networks that potentially underlie typical attention development and suggest an alternative network architecture may help support attention in VPT children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M D Wheelock
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - R E Lean
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - S Bora
- Mothers, Babies, and Women’s Health Program, Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - T R Melzer
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand Brain Research Institute, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
| | - A T Eggebrecht
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - C D Smyser
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - L J Woodward
- School of Health Sciences and Child Wellbeing Research Institute, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sa de Almeida J, Meskaldji DE, Loukas S, Lordier L, Gui L, Lazeyras F, Hüppi PS. Preterm birth leads to impaired rich-club organization and fronto-paralimbic/limbic structural connectivity in newborns. Neuroimage 2020; 225:117440. [PMID: 33039621 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prematurity disrupts brain development during a critical period of brain growth and organization and is known to be associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairments. Investigating whole-brain structural connectivity alterations accompanying preterm birth may provide a better comprehension of the neurobiological mechanisms related to the later neurocognitive deficits observed in this population. Using a connectome approach, we aimed to study the impact of prematurity on neonatal whole-brain structural network organization at term-equivalent age. In this cohort study, twenty-four very preterm infants at term-equivalent age (VPT-TEA) and fourteen full-term (FT) newborns underwent a brain MRI exam at term age, comprising T2-weighted imaging and diffusion MRI, used to reconstruct brain connectomes by applying probabilistic constrained spherical deconvolution whole-brain tractography. The topological properties of brain networks were quantified through a graph-theoretical approach. Furthermore, edge-wise connectivity strength was compared between groups. Overall, VPT-TEA infants' brain networks evidenced increased segregation and decreased integration capacity, revealed by an increased clustering coefficient, increased modularity, increased characteristic path length, decreased global efficiency and diminished rich-club coefficient. Furthermore, in comparison to FT, VPT-TEA infants had decreased connectivity strength in various cortico-cortical, cortico-subcortical and intra-subcortical networks, the majority of them being intra-hemispheric fronto-paralimbic and fronto-limbic. Inter-hemispheric connectivity was also decreased in VPT-TEA infants, namely through connections linking to the left precuneus or left dorsal cingulate gyrus - two regions that were found to be hubs in FT but not in VPT-TEA infants. Moreover, posterior regions from Default-Mode-Network (DMN), namely precuneus and posterior cingulate gyrus, had decreased structural connectivity in VPT-TEA group. Our finding that VPT-TEA infants' brain networks displayed increased modularity, weakened rich-club connectivity and diminished global efficiency compared to FT infants suggests a delayed transition from a local architecture, focused on short-range connections, to a more distributed architecture with efficient long-range connections in those infants. The disruption of connectivity in fronto-paralimbic/limbic and posterior DMN regions might underlie the behavioral and social cognition difficulties previously reported in the preterm population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana Sa de Almeida
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Woman, Child and Adolescent, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Djalel-Eddine Meskaldji
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Woman, Child and Adolescent, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Mathematics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Serafeim Loukas
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Woman, Child and Adolescent, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lara Lordier
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Woman, Child and Adolescent, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laura Gui
- Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Center of BioMedical Imaging (CIBM), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - François Lazeyras
- Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Center of BioMedical Imaging (CIBM), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Petra S Hüppi
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Woman, Child and Adolescent, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ferradal SL, Gagoski B, Jaimes C, Yi F, Carruthers C, Vu C, Litt JS, Larsen R, Sutton B, Grant PE, Zöllei L. System-Specific Patterns of Thalamocortical Connectivity in Early Brain Development as Revealed by Structural and Functional MRI. Cereb Cortex 2020; 29:1218-1229. [PMID: 29425270 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The normal development of thalamocortical connections plays a critical role in shaping brain connectivity in the prenatal and postnatal periods. Recent studies using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in neonates and infants have shown that abnormal thalamocortical connectivity is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, all these studies have focused on a single neuroimaging modality, overlooking the dynamic relationship between structure and function at this early stage. Here, we study the relationship between structural and functional thalamocortical connectivity patterns derived from healthy full-term infants scanned with diffusion-weighted MRI and resting-state functional MRI within the first weeks of life (mean gestational age = 39.3 ± 1.2 weeks; age at scan = 24.2 ± 7.9 days). Our results show that while there is, in general, good spatial agreement between both MRI modalities, there are regional variations that are system-specific: regions involving primary-sensory cortices exhibit greater structural/functional overlap, whereas higher-order association areas such as temporal and posterior parietal cortices show divergence in spatial patterns of each modality. This variability illustrates the complementarity of both modalities and highlights the importance of multimodal approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Borjan Gagoski
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Camilo Jaimes
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesca Yi
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Catherine Vu
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Ryan Larsen
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Brad Sutton
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - P Ellen Grant
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lilla Zöllei
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Cha JH, Choi YH, Lee JM, Lee JY, Park HK, Kim J, Kim IK, Lee HJ. Altered structural brain networks at term-equivalent age in preterm infants with grade 1 intraventricular hemorrhage. Ital J Pediatr 2020; 46:43. [PMID: 32272955 PMCID: PMC7146964 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-020-0796-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm infants are at risk for structural disruption of brain connectivity due to perinatal complications encountered during the fetal and neonatal periods. This study aimed to investigate the development of connectivity using diffusion tensor imaging at near-term age and the effect of grade 1 intraventricular hemorrhage on it. METHODS A total of 86 infants (55 preterm infants, 24 full-term infants) without apparent brain injury underwent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between 36 and 41 weeks post-menstrual age. The diffusion-MRI based connectomics were constructed from 64-segmented regions by using the Johns Hopkins University neonate atlas and were weighted with fractional anisotropy. The connectomes were quantified in the structural networks and investigated using network metrics, such as the clustering coefficient, local efficiency, characteristic path length, global efficiency, and small-worldness. We compared the differences in the brain networks of preterm infants with or without grade 1 intraventricular hemorrhage in binary and fractional anisotropy-weighted (wFA) connectomes. RESULTS The 55 preterm infants had a mean gestational age at birth of 29.3 ± 4.1 weeks and the 24 term-born infants, 38.1 ± 1.1 weeks. A total of 13 of the 55 preterm infants (23.6%) were diagnosed with grade 1 intraventricular hemorrhage. The development of connectivity of the brain network in preterm infants without intraventricular hemorrhage was comparable at near-term age to that in term infants. The preterm infants with germinal matrix hemorrhage exhibited higher clustering (0.093 ± 0.015 vs. 0.088 ± 0.007, p = 0.027) and local efficiency (0.151 ± 0.022 vs. 0.141 ± 0.010, p = 0.025), implying the potential for segregation. However, the preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage revealed a longer path length (0.291 ± 0.035 vs. 0.275 ± 0.019, p = 0.020) and lower global efficiency (3.998 ± 0.473 vs. 4.212 ± 0.281, p = 0.048), indicating a decreased integration in the wFA connectivity matrix than those without germinal matrix hemorrhage, after correcting for gestational age, sex, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and age at scan. CONCLUSION Grade 1 intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants may enhance the capacity for local information transfer and the relative reinforcement of the segregation of networks at the expense of global integration capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jong Ho Cha
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Hospital, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Yong-Ho Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong-Min Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joo Young Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Hospital, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Kyung Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Hospital, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, South Korea.,Division of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinsup Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Hospital, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Il-Kewon Kim
- Division of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Hospital, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, South Korea. .,Division of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Wehrle FM, Lustenberger C, Buchmann A, Latal B, Hagmann CF, O'Gorman RL, Huber R. Multimodal assessment shows misalignment of structural and functional thalamocortical connectivity in children and adolescents born very preterm. Neuroimage 2020; 215:116779. [PMID: 32276056 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Thalamocortical connections are altered following very preterm birth but it is unknown whether structural and functional alterations are linked and how they contribute to neurodevelopmental deficits. We used a multimodal approach in 27 very preterm and 35 term-born children and adolescents aged 10-16 years: Structural thalamocortical connectivity was quantified with two measures derived from probabilistic tractography of diffusion tensor data, namely the volume of thalamic segments with cortical connections and mean fractional anisotropy (FA) within the respective segments. High-density sleep EEG was recorded and sleep spindles were identified at each electrode. Sleep spindle density and integrated spindle activity (ISA) were calculated to quantify functional thalamocortical connectivity. In term-born participants, the volume of the global thalamic segment with cortical connections was strongly related to sleep spindles across the entire head (mean r = .53 ± .10; range = 0.35 to 0.78). Regionally, the volume of the thalamic segment connecting to frontal brain regions correlated with sleep spindle density in two clusters of electrodes over fronto-temporal brain regions (.42 ± .06; 0.35 to 0.51 and 0.43 ± .08; 0.35 to 0.62) and the volume of the thalamic segment connecting to parietal brain regions correlated with sleep spindle density over parietal brain regions (mean r = .43 ± .07; 0.35 to 0.61). In very preterm participants, the volume of the thalamic segments was not associated with sleep spindles. In the very preterm group, mean FA within the global thalamic segment was negatively correlated with ISA over a cluster of frontal and temporo-occipital brain regions (mean r = -.53 ± .07; -.41 to -.72). No association between mean FA and ISA was found in the term-born group. With this multimodal study protocol, we identified a potential misalignment between structural and functional thalamocortical connectivity in children and adolescents born very preterm. Eventually, this may shed further light on the neuronal mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental sequelae of preterm birth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia M Wehrle
- University Children's Hospital Zurich, Child Development Center, Switzerland; University Children's Hospital Zurich, Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Switzerland; University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center, Switzerland
| | | | - Andreas Buchmann
- University Children's Hospital Zurich, Center for MR Research, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Latal
- University Children's Hospital Zurich, Child Development Center, Switzerland; University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia F Hagmann
- University Children's Hospital Zurich, Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Switzerland; University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center, Switzerland
| | - Ruth L O'Gorman
- University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center, Switzerland; University Children's Hospital Zurich, Center for MR Research, Switzerland
| | - Reto Huber
- University Children's Hospital Zurich, Child Development Center, Switzerland; University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center, Switzerland; Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Jaffe-Dax S, Boldin AM, Daw ND, Emberson LL. A Computational Role for Top-Down Modulation from Frontal Cortex in Infancy. J Cogn Neurosci 2020; 32:508-514. [PMID: 31682568 PMCID: PMC7294582 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent findings have shown that full-term infants engage in top-down sensory prediction, and these predictions are impaired as a result of premature birth. Here, we use an associative learning model to uncover the neuroanatomical origins and computational nature of this top-down signal. Infants were exposed to a probabilistic audiovisual association. We find that both groups (full term, preterm) have a comparable stimulus-related response in sensory and frontal lobes and track prediction error in their frontal lobes. However, preterm infants differ from their full-term peers in weaker tracking of prediction error in sensory regions. We infer that top-down signals from the frontal lobe to the sensory regions carry information about prediction error. Using computational learning models and comparing neuroimaging results from full-term and preterm infants, we have uncovered the computational content of top-down signals in young infants when they are engaged in a probabilistic associative learning.
Collapse
|
27
|
Tracking regional brain growth up to age 13 in children born term and very preterm. Nat Commun 2020; 11:696. [PMID: 32019924 PMCID: PMC7000691 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14334-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Serial regional brain growth from the newborn period to adolescence has not been described. Here, we measured regional brain growth in 216 very preterm (VP) and 45 full-term (FT) children. Brain MRI was performed at term-equivalent age, 7 and 13 years in 82 regions. Brain volumes increased between term-equivalent and 7 years, with faster growth in the FT than VP group. Perinatal brain abnormality was associated with less increase in brain volume between term-equivalent and 7 years in the VP group. Between 7 and 13 years, volumes were relatively stable, with some subcortical and cortical regions increasing while others reduced. Notably, VP infants continued to lag, with overall brain size generally less than that of FT peers at 13 years. Parieto–frontal growth, mainly between 7 and 13 years in FT children, was associated with higher intelligence at 13 years. This study improves understanding of typical and atypical regional brain growth. In this longitudinal study, the authors tracked the course of brain development from birth to adolescence (age 13 years) and examined the effects of very preterm birth. Very preterm children showed slower brain growth from age 0 (term equivalent) to age 7.
Collapse
|
28
|
Galdi P, Blesa M, Stoye DQ, Sullivan G, Lamb GJ, Quigley AJ, Thrippleton MJ, Bastin ME, Boardman JP. Neonatal morphometric similarity mapping for predicting brain age and characterizing neuroanatomic variation associated with preterm birth. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 25:102195. [PMID: 32044713 PMCID: PMC7016043 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Multi-contrast MRI captures information about brain macro- and micro-structure which can be combined in an integrated model to obtain a detailed "fingerprint" of the anatomical properties of an individual's brain. Inter-regional similarities between features derived from structural and diffusion MRI, including regional volumes, diffusion tensor metrics, neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging measures, can be modelled as morphometric similarity networks (MSNs). Here, individual MSNs were derived from 105 neonates (59 preterm and 46 term) who were scanned between 38 and 45 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Inter-regional similarities were used as predictors in a regression model of age at the time of scanning and in a classification model to discriminate between preterm and term infant brains. When tested on unseen data, the regression model predicted PMA at scan with a mean absolute error of 0.70 ± 0.56 weeks, and the classification model achieved 92% accuracy. We conclude that MSNs predict chronological brain age accurately; and they provide a data-driven approach to identify networks that characterise typical maturation and those that contribute most to neuroanatomic variation associated with preterm birth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Galdi
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK.
| | - Manuel Blesa
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - David Q Stoye
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Gemma Sullivan
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Gillian J Lamb
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Alan J Quigley
- Department of Radiology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh EH9 1LF, UK
| | - Michael J Thrippleton
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; Edinburgh Imaging, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Mark E Bastin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - James P Boardman
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Tokariev M, Vuontela V, Lönnberg P, Lano A, Perkola J, Wolford E, Andersson S, Metsäranta M, Carlson S. Altered working memory-related brain responses and white matter microstructure in extremely preterm-born children at school age. Brain Cogn 2019; 136:103615. [PMID: 31563082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2019.103615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth poses a risk for neurocognitive and behavioral development. Preterm children, who have not been diagnosed with neurological or cognitive deficits, enter normal schools and are expected to succeed as their term-born peers. Here we tested the hypotheses that despite an uneventful development after preterm birth, these children might exhibit subtle abnormalities in brain function and white-matter microstructure at school-age. We recruited 7.5-year-old children born extremely prematurely (<28 weeks' gestation), and age- and gender-matched term-born controls (≥37 weeks' gestation). We applied fMRI during working-memory (WM) tasks, and investigated white-matter microstructure with diffusion tensor imaging. Compared with controls, preterm-born children performed WM tasks less accurately, had reduced activation in several right prefrontal areas, and weaker deactivation of right temporal lobe areas. The weaker prefrontal activation correlated with poorer WM performance. Preterm-born children had higher fractional anisotropy (FA) and lower diffusivity than controls in several white-matter areas, and in the posterior cerebellum, the higher FA associated with poorer visuospatial test scores. In controls, higher FA and lower diffusivity correlated with faster WM performance. Together these findings demonstrate weaker WM-related brain activations and altered white matter microstructure in children born extremely preterm, who had normal global cognitive ability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maksym Tokariev
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Virve Vuontela
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Piia Lönnberg
- Department of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aulikki Lano
- Department of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaana Perkola
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elina Wolford
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sture Andersson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marjo Metsäranta
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Synnöve Carlson
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Advanced Magnetic Imaging Centre, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Córcoles-Parada M, Giménez-Mateo R, Serrano-Del-Pueblo V, López L, Pérez-Hernández E, Mansilla F, Martínez A, Onsurbe I, San Roman P, Ubero-Martinez M, Clayden JD, Clark CA, Muñoz-López M. Born Too Early and Too Small: Higher Order Cognitive Function and Brain at Risk at Ages 8-16. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1942. [PMID: 31551853 PMCID: PMC6743534 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prematurity presents a risk for higher order cognitive functions. Some of these deficits manifest later in development, when these functions are expected to mature. However, the causes and consequences of prematurity are still unclear. We conducted a longitudinal study to first identify clinical predictors of ultrasound brain abnormalities in 196 children born very preterm (VP; gestational age ≤32 weeks) and with very low birth weight (VLBW; birth weight ≤1500 g). At ages 8-16, the subset of VP-VLBW children without neurological findings (124) were invited for a neuropsychological assessment and an MRI scan (41 accepted). Of these, 29 met a rigorous criterion for MRI quality and an age, and gender-matched control group (n = 14) was included in this study. The key findings in the VP-VLBW neonates were: (a) 37% of the VP-VLBW neonates had ultrasound brain abnormalities; (b) gestational age and birth weight collectively with hospital course (i.e., days in hospital, neonatal intensive care, mechanical ventilation and with oxygen therapy, surgeries, and retinopathy of prematurity) predicted ultrasound brain abnormalities. At ages 8-16, VP-VLBW children showed: a) lower intelligent quotient (IQ) and executive function; b) decreased gray and white matter (WM) integrity; (c) IQ correlated negatively with cortical thickness in higher order processing cortical areas. In conclusion, our data indicate that facets of executive function and IQ are the most affected in VP-VLBW children likely due to altered higher order cortical areas and underlying WM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Córcoles-Parada
- Human Neuroanatomy Laboratory, School of Medicine and Regional Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Rocio Giménez-Mateo
- Human Neuroanatomy Laboratory, School of Medicine and Regional Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Victor Serrano-Del-Pueblo
- Human Neuroanatomy Laboratory, School of Medicine and Regional Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Leidy López
- Human Neuroanatomy Laboratory, School of Medicine and Regional Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.,Department of Psychology, University of Area Andina, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Francisco Mansilla
- Radiology Service, Sta. Cristina Clinic and University Hospital of Albacete, Albacete, Spain
| | - Andres Martínez
- Neonatology Service, University Hospital of Albacete, Albacete, Spain
| | - Ignacio Onsurbe
- Paediatric Neurology Service, University Hospital of Albacete, Albacete, Spain
| | - Paloma San Roman
- Child Psychiatry Service, University Hospital of Albacete, Albacete, Spain
| | - Mar Ubero-Martinez
- Human Neuroanatomy Laboratory, School of Medicine and Regional Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.,Department of Anatomy, Catholic University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jonathan D Clayden
- Developmental Imaging and Biophysics Section, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chris A Clark
- Developmental Imaging and Biophysics Section, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mónica Muñoz-López
- Human Neuroanatomy Laboratory, School of Medicine and Regional Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Roine T, Jeurissen B, Perrone D, Aelterman J, Philips W, Sijbers J, Leemans A. Reproducibility and intercorrelation of graph theoretical measures in structural brain connectivity networks. Med Image Anal 2019; 52:56-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2018.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
32
|
Graph theoretical modeling of baby brain networks. Neuroimage 2019; 185:711-727. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|
33
|
Longitudinal study of neonatal brain tissue volumes in preterm infants and their ability to predict neurodevelopmental outcome. Neuroimage 2019; 185:728-741. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
|
34
|
Lee JY, Park HK, Lee HJ. Accelerated Small-World Property of Structural Brain Networks in Preterm Infants at Term-Equivalent Age. Neonatology 2019; 115:99-107. [PMID: 30384384 DOI: 10.1159/000493087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prediction of neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants is one of the clinical challenges of pediatrics. Despite the recent interest in brain development and white matter connectivity using a network-based analysis, very little is known about the brain network of at term-equivalent age in preterm infants. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the structural brain network using diffusion MRI following preterm delivery at term-equivalent age compared with term infants and explored the influence of gestational age (GA) and clinical factors. METHOD Diffusion tensor imaging data were acquired prospectively from 55 preterm neonates without apparent brain abnormalities (mean gestational age: 29.43 weeks) and 21 full-term infants at term-equivalent age. The global structural brain networks were produced by probabilistic white matter tractography in combination with the Johns Hopkins University neonate atlas to quantify connectivity between different cortical regions. RESULTS Compared with full-term infants, preterm infants had significantly lower global efficiency (p = 0.048) and increased small worldness (p = 0.012) after correcting for sex and age at MRI scan. The increased small worldness in the brain network at term-equivalent age was significantly linearly correlated with lower GA after adjusting for sex and the effects of postmenstrual age at MRI scan on the data in preterm infants (β = -0.020, p = 0.037). In multivariate analysis, infants with chronic lung disease had significantly decreased changes in clustering (p = 0.014) and local efficiency (p = 0.027). CONCLUSION The accelerated small worldness in preterm infants suggests that the structural brain network after preterm birth is reorganized in maximizing integrated and segregated processing, implying resilience against prematurity-associated pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joo Young Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Kyung Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Division of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea, .,Division of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea,
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
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: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Developmental Disorders Among Very Preterm Children. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40474-018-0151-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
37
|
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.
Collapse
|
38
|
Kesler SR, Ogg R, Reddick WE, Phillips N, Scoggins M, Glass JO, Cheung YT, Pui CH, Robison LL, Hudson MM, Krull KR. Brain Network Connectivity and Executive Function in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Brain Connect 2018; 8:333-342. [PMID: 29936880 PMCID: PMC6103246 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2017.0574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapeutic agents used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common cancer affecting young children, have been associated with long-term cognitive impairments that reduce quality of life. Executive dysfunction is one of the most consistently observed deficits and can have substantial and pervasive effects on academic success, occupational achievement, psychosocial function, and psychiatric status. We examined the neural mechanisms of executive dysfunction by measuring structural and functional connectomes in 161 long-term survivors of pediatric ALL, age 8-21 years, who were treated on a single contemporary chemotherapy-only protocol for standard/high- or low-risk disease. Lower global efficiency, a measure of information exchange and network integration, of both structural and functional connectomes was found in survivors with executive dysfunction compared with those without dysfunction (p < 0.046). Patients with standard/high- versus low-risk disease and those who received greater number of intrathecal treatments containing methotrexate had the lowest network efficiencies. Patients with executive dysfunction also showed hyperconnectivity in sensorimotor, visual, and auditory-processing regions (p = 0.037) and poor separation between sensorimotor, executive/attention, salience, and default mode networks (p < 0.0001). Connectome disruption was consistent with a pattern of delayed neurodevelopment that may be associated with reduced resilience, adaptability, and flexibility of the brain network. These findings highlight the need for interventions that will prevent or manage cognitive impairment in survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shelli R. Kesler
- Department of Neuro-oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Robert Ogg
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Wilburn E. Reddick
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Nicholas Phillips
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Matthew Scoggins
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - John O. Glass
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Yin Ting Cheung
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Ching-Hon Pui
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Leslie L. Robison
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Melissa M. Hudson
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Kevin R. Krull
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Pascoe L, Thompson D, Spencer-Smith M, Beare R, Adamson C, Lee KJ, Kelly C, Georgiou-Karistianis N, Nosarti C, Josev E, Roberts G, Doyle LW, Seal ML, Anderson PJ. Efficiency of structural connectivity networks relates to intrinsic motivation in children born extremely preterm. Brain Imaging Behav 2018; 13:995-1008. [DOI: 10.1007/s11682-018-9918-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
40
|
Bennet L, Walker DW, Horne RSC. Waking up too early - the consequences of preterm birth on sleep development. J Physiol 2018; 596:5687-5708. [PMID: 29691876 DOI: 10.1113/jp274950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Good quality sleep of sufficient duration is vital for optimal physiological function and our health. Sleep deprivation is associated with impaired neurocognitive function and emotional control, and increases the risk for cardiometabolic diseases, obesity and cancer. Sleep develops during fetal life with the emergence of a recognisable pattern of sleep states in the preterm fetus associated with the development, maturation and connectivity within neural networks in the brain. Despite the physiological importance of sleep, surprisingly little is known about how sleep develops in individuals born preterm. Globally, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm (<37 weeks gestation) each year, and these babies are at significant risk of neural injury and impaired brain development. This review discusses how sleep develops during fetal and neonatal life, how preterm birth impacts on sleep development to adulthood, and the factors which may contribute to impaired brain and sleep development, leading to altered neurocognitive, behavioural and motor capabilities in the infant and child. Going forward, the challenge is to identify specific risk factors for impaired sleep development in preterm babies to allow for the design of interventions that will improve the quality and quantity of sleep throughout life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bennet
- Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David W Walker
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rosemary S C Horne
- The Ritchie Centre, Department of Paediatrics, Monash University and Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Splanchnic NIRS monitoring in neonatal care: rationale, current applications and future perspectives. J Perinatol 2018; 38:431-443. [PMID: 29472709 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-018-0075-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides a non-invasive, continuous monitoring of regional tissue oxygenation. NIRS assessment of neonatal splanchnic oxygenation (SrSO2) has gained increasing interest over the last decade, as local hypoxia and ischemia underlie the most feared gut complications in neonates. Current literature provides encouraging evidence in support of SrSO2 reliability in detecting mesenteric hemodynamic changes related to various physiological and pathological conditions in-term and preterm infants. Even so, while splanchnic NIRS monitoring looks promising for investigating gut physiopathology in research settings, further studies are needed to evaluate its feasibility as a routine monitoring tool in neonatal care and to investigate its potential role in clinical decision making. After a brief introduction to NIRS technical principles, this review aims to provide a complete overview of current neonatal applications for splanchnic NIRS monitoring, to discuss its possible limitations and to suggest future directions for research and clinical applications.
Collapse
|
42
|
Young JM, Vandewouw MM, Morgan BR, Smith ML, Sled JG, Taylor MJ. Altered white matter development in children born very preterm. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 223:2129-2141. [PMID: 29380120 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1614-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Children born very preterm (VPT) at less than 32 weeks' gestational age (GA) are prone to disrupted white matter maturation and impaired cognitive development. The aims of the present study were to identify differences in white matter microstructure and connectivity of children born VPT compared to term-born children, as well as relations between white matter measures with cognitive outcomes and early brain injury. Diffusion images and T1-weighted anatomical MR images were acquired along with developmental assessments in 31 VPT children (mean GA: 28.76 weeks) and 28 term-born children at 4 years of age. FSL's tract-based spatial statistics was used to create a cohort-specific template and mean fractional anisotropy (FA) skeleton that was applied to each child's DTI data. Whole brain deterministic tractography was performed and graph theoretical measures of connectivity were calculated based on the number of streamlines between cortical and subcortical nodes derived from the Desikan-Killiany atlas. Between-group analyses included FSL Randomise for voxel-wise statistics and permutation testing for connectivity analyses. Within-group analyses between FA values and graph measures with IQ, language and visual-motor scores as well as history of white matter injury (WMI) and germinal matrix/intraventricular haemorrhage (GMH/IVH) were performed. In the children born VPT, FA values within major white matter tracts were reduced compared to term-born children. Reduced measures of local strength, clustering coefficient, local and global efficiency were present in the children born VPT within nodes in the lateral frontal, middle and superior temporal, cingulate, precuneus and lateral occipital regions. Within-group analyses revealed associations in term-born children between FA, Verbal IQ, Performance IQ and Full scale IQ within regions of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, forceps minor and forceps major. No associations with outcome were found in the VPT group. Global efficiency was reduced in the children born VPT with a history of WMI and GMH/IVH. These findings are evidence for under-developed and less connected white matter in children born VPT, contributing to our understanding of white matter development within this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Young
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Neurosciences and Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Marlee M Vandewouw
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neurosciences and Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Benjamin R Morgan
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neurosciences and Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mary Lou Smith
- Department of Psychology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neurosciences and Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John G Sled
- Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Margot J Taylor
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neurosciences and Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Gu H, Wang L, Liu L, Luo X, Wang J, Hou F, Nkomola PD, Li J, Liu G, Meng H, Zhang J, Song R. A gradient relationship between low birth weight and IQ: A meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:18035. [PMID: 29269836 PMCID: PMC5740123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18234-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple studies have reported that individuals with low birth weights (LBW, <2500 g) have a lower intelligence quotient (IQ) than those with normal birth weights (NBW, ≥2500 g). Based on 57 eligible individual studies including 12,137 participants, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the association between low birth weight and individuals' IQ scores (IQs). The pooled weight mean difference (WMD) in IQs between NBW and LBW individuals was 10 (95% CI 9.26-11.68). The WMD was stable regardless of age. No publication bias was detected. The mean IQs of the extremely low birth weight (ELBW, <1000 g), very low birth weight (VLBW, 1000-1499 g), moderately low birth weight (MLBW, 1500-2499 g) and NBW individuals were 91, 94, 99 and 104, respectively. Additionally, the WMD in IQs with NBW were 14, 10 and 7 for ELBW, VLBW, and MLBW individuals, respectively. Two studies permitted estimates of the influence of social determinants of health to the discrepancy in IQs, which was 13%. Since IQ is inherited and influenced by environmental factors, parental IQs and other factors contribute to residual confounding of the results. As the conclusion was based on population studies, it may not be applicable to a single individual.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huaiting Gu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- School of Public Health, Jining Medical College, Jining, 272067, China
| | - Lixia Wang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Lingfei Liu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiu Luo
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Fang Hou
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Pauline Denis Nkomola
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Public Health, Jining Medical College, Jining, 272067, China
| | - Genyi Liu
- School of Public Health, Jining Medical College, Jining, 272067, China
| | - Heng Meng
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jiajia Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, 29208, USA
| | - Ranran Song
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
van Tilborg E, Achterberg EJM, van Kammen CM, van der Toorn A, Groenendaal F, Dijkhuizen RM, Heijnen CJ, Vanderschuren LJMJ, Benders MNJL, Nijboer CHA. Combined fetal inflammation and postnatal hypoxia causes myelin deficits and autism-like behavior in a rat model of diffuse white matter injury. Glia 2017; 66:78-93. [PMID: 28925578 PMCID: PMC5724703 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Diffuse white matter injury (WMI) is a serious problem in extremely preterm infants, and is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcome, including cognitive impairments and an increased risk of autism-spectrum disorders. Important risk factors include fetal or perinatal inflammatory insults and fluctuating cerebral oxygenation. However, the exact mechanisms underlying diffuse WMI are not fully understood and no treatment options are currently available. The use of clinically relevant animal models is crucial to advance knowledge on the pathophysiology of diffuse WMI, allowing the definition of novel therapeutic targets. In the present study, we developed a multiple-hit animal model of diffuse WMI by combining fetal inflammation and postnatal hypoxia in rats. We characterized the effects on white matter development and functional outcome by immunohistochemistry, MRI and behavioral paradigms. Combined fetal inflammation and postnatal hypoxia resulted in delayed cortical myelination, microglia activation and astrogliosis at P18, together with long-term changes in oligodendrocyte maturation as observed in 10 week old animals. Furthermore, rats with WMI showed impaired motor performance, increased anxiety and signs of autism-like behavior, i.e. reduced social play behavior and increased repetitive grooming. In conclusion, the combination of fetal inflammation and postnatal hypoxia in rats induces a pattern of brain injury and functional impairments that closely resembles the clinical situation of diffuse WMI. This animal model provides the opportunity to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms underlying WMI, and can be used to develop novel treatment options for diffuse WMI in preterm infants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik van Tilborg
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Developmental Origins of Disease, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584EA, The Netherlands
| | - E J Marijke Achterberg
- Department of Animals in Science and Society, Division of Behavioural Neuroscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CM, The Netherlands
| | - Caren M van Kammen
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Developmental Origins of Disease, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584EA, The Netherlands
| | - Annette van der Toorn
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CJ, The Netherlands
| | - Floris Groenendaal
- Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584EA, The Netherlands
| | - Rick M Dijkhuizen
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CJ, The Netherlands
| | - Cobi J Heijnen
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Louk J M J Vanderschuren
- Department of Animals in Science and Society, Division of Behavioural Neuroscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CM, The Netherlands
| | - Manon N J L Benders
- Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584EA, The Netherlands
| | - Cora H A Nijboer
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Developmental Origins of Disease, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584EA, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Keunen K, Benders MJ, Leemans A, Fieret-Van Stam PC, Scholtens LH, Viergever MA, Kahn RS, Groenendaal F, de Vries LS, van den Heuvel MP. White matter maturation in the neonatal brain is predictive of school age cognitive capacities in children born very preterm. Dev Med Child Neurol 2017; 59:939-946. [PMID: 28675542 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.13487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the association between white matter organization in the neonatal brain and cognitive capacities at early school age in children born very preterm. METHOD Thirty children born very preterm (gestational age median 27.5wks, interquartile range [IQR] 25.5-29.5; 18 males, 12 females) were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) had been performed on a 3T system in the neonatal period (median 41.3 [IQR 40.0-42.6]wks) and cognitive functioning was formally assessed at age 5 years and 7 months (IQR 5.4-5.9y) using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. Structural connectivity maps were reconstructed from the DWI data using deterministic streamline tractography. Network metrics of global and local communication and mean fractional anisotropy of white matter pathways were related to IQ and processing speed at age 5 years using linear regression analyses. RESULTS Mean fractional anisotropy was significantly related to Performance IQ at age 5 years (F=8.48, p=0.007). Findings persisted after adjustment for maternal education level. INTERPRETATION Our findings provide evidence that the blueprint of later cognitive achievement is already present at term-equivalent age and suggest that white matter connectivity strength may be a valuable predictor for long-term cognitive functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Keunen
- Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Manon J Benders
- Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander Leemans
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Petronella C Fieret-Van Stam
- Department of Medical Psychology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lianne H Scholtens
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Max A Viergever
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - René S Kahn
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai, NY, USA
| | - Floris Groenendaal
- Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Linda S de Vries
- Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn P van den Heuvel
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study examines the selective, sustained, and executive attention abilities of very preterm (VPT) born children in relation to concurrent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of regional gray matter development at age 12 years. METHODS A regional cohort of 110 VPT (≤32 weeks gestation) and 113 full term (FT) born children were assessed at corrected age 12 years on the Test of Everyday Attention-Children. They also had a structural MRI scan that was subsequently analyzed using voxel-based morphometry to quantify regional between-group differences in cerebral gray matter development, which were then related to attention measures using multivariate methods. RESULTS VPT children obtained similar selective (p=.85), but poorer sustained (p=.02) and executive attention (p=.01) scores than FT children. VPT children were also characterized by reduced gray matter in the bilateral parietal, temporal, prefrontal and posterior cingulate cortices, bilateral thalami, and left hippocampus; and increased gray matter in the occipital and anterior cingulate cortices (family-wise error-corrected p<.05). Poorer sustained auditory attention was associated with increased gray matter in the anterior cingulate cortex (p=.04). Poor executive shifting attention was associated with reduced gray matter in the right superior temporal cortex (p=.04) and bilateral thalami (p=.05). Poorer executive divided attention was associated with reduced gray matter in the occipital (p=.001), posterior cingulate (p=.02), and left temporal (p=.01) cortices; and increased gray matter in the anterior cingulate cortex (p=.001). CONCLUSIONS Disturbances in regional gray matter development appear to contribute, at least in part, to the poorer attentional performance of VPT children at school age. (JINS, 2017, 23, 539-550).
Collapse
|
47
|
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: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Toselli B, Tortora D, Severino M, Arnulfo G, Canessa A, Morana G, Rossi A, Fato MM. Improvement in White Matter Tract Reconstruction with Constrained Spherical Deconvolution and Track Density Mapping in Low Angular Resolution Data: A Pediatric Study and Literature Review. Front Pediatr 2017; 5:182. [PMID: 28913326 PMCID: PMC5582070 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2017.00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) allows noninvasive investigation of brain structure in vivo. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a frequently used application of DW-MRI that assumes a single main diffusion direction per voxel, and is therefore not well suited for reconstructing crossing fiber tracts. Among the solutions developed to overcome this problem, constrained spherical deconvolution with probabilistic tractography (CSD-PT) has provided superior quality results in clinical settings on adult subjects; however, it requires particular acquisition parameters and long sequences, which may limit clinical usage in the pediatric age group. The aim of this work was to compare the results of DTI with those of track density imaging (TDI) maps and CSD-PT on data from neonates and children, acquired with low angular resolution and low b-value diffusion sequences commonly used in pediatric clinical MRI examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed DW-MRI studies of 50 children (eight neonates aged 3-28 days, 20 infants aged 1-8 months, and 22 children aged 2-17 years) acquired on a 1.5 T Philips scanner using 34 gradient directions and a b-value of 1,000 s/mm2. Other sequence parameters included 60 axial slices; acquisition matrix, 128 × 128; average scan time, 5:34 min; voxel size, 1.75 mm × 1.75 mm × 2 mm; one b = 0 image. For each subject, we computed principal eigenvector (EV) maps and directionally encoded color TDI maps (DEC-TDI maps) from whole-brain tractograms obtained with CSD-PT; the cerebellar-thalamic, corticopontocerebellar, and corticospinal tracts were reconstructed using both CSD-PT and DTI. Results were compared by two neuroradiologists using a 5-point qualitative score. RESULTS The DEC-TDI maps obtained presented higher anatomical detail than EV maps, as assessed by visual inspection. In all subjects, white matter (WM) tracts were successfully reconstructed using both tractography methodologies. The mean qualitative scores of all tracts obtained with CSD-PT were significantly higher than those obtained with DTI (p-value < 0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION CSD-PT can be successfully applied to DW-MRI studies acquired at 1.5 T with acquisition parameters adapted for pediatric subjects, thus providing TDI maps with greater anatomical detail. This methodology yields satisfactory results for clinical purposes in the pediatric age group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Toselli
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and System Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | - Gabriele Arnulfo
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and System Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Canessa
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and System Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Morana
- Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Rossi
- Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Massimo Fato
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and System Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|