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Barnes-Davis ME, Williamson BJ, Kline JE, Kline-Fath BM, Tkach J, He L, Yuan W, Parikh NA. Structural connectivity at term equivalent age and language in preterm children at 2 years corrected. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae126. [PMID: 38665963 PMCID: PMC11043656 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We previously reported interhemispheric structural hyperconnectivity bypassing the corpus callosum in children born extremely preterm (<28 weeks) versus term children. This increased connectivity was positively associated with language performance at 4-6 years of age in our prior work. In the present study, we aim to investigate whether this extracallosal connectivity develops in extremely preterm infants at term equivalent age by leveraging a prospective cohort study of 350 very and extremely preterm infants followed longitudinally in the Cincinnati Infant Neurodevelopment Early Prediction Study. For this secondary analysis, we included only children born extremely preterm and without significant brain injury (n = 95). We use higher-order diffusion modelling to assess the degree to which extracallosal pathways are present in extremely preterm infants and predictive of later language scores at 22-26 months corrected age. We compare results obtained from two higher-order diffusion models: generalized q-sampling imaging and constrained spherical deconvolution. Advanced MRI was obtained at term equivalent age (39-44 weeks post-menstrual age). For structural connectometry analysis, we assessed the level of correlation between white matter connectivity at the whole-brain level at term equivalent age and language scores at 2 years corrected age, controlling for post-menstrual age, sex, brain abnormality score and social risk. For our constrained spherical deconvolution analyses, we performed connectivity-based fixel enhancement, using probabilistic tractography to inform statistical testing of the hypothesis that fibre metrics at term equivalent age relate to language scores at 2 years corrected age after adjusting for covariates. Ninety-five infants were extremely preterm with no significant brain injury. Of these, 53 had complete neurodevelopmental and imaging data sets that passed quality control. In the connectometry analyses adjusted for covariates and multiple comparisons (P < 0.05), the following tracks were inversely correlated with language: bilateral cerebellar white matter and middle cerebellar peduncles, bilateral corticospinal tracks, posterior commissure and the posterior inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus. No tracks from the constrained spherical deconvolution/connectivity-based fixel enhancement analyses remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Our findings provide critical information about the ontogeny of structural brain networks supporting language in extremely preterm children. Greater connectivity in more posterior tracks that include the cerebellum and connections to the regions of the temporal lobes at term equivalent age appears to be disadvantageous for language development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Barnes-Davis
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brady J Williamson
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Julia E Kline
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Beth M Kline-Fath
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Radiology, Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jean Tkach
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Radiology, Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lili He
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Radiology, Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Weihong Yuan
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nehal A Parikh
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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2
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Martini S, Lenzi J, Paoletti V, Maffei M, Toni F, Fetta A, Aceti A, Cordelli DM, Zuccarini M, Guarini A, Sansavini A, Corvaglia L. Neurodevelopmental Correlates of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities in Extremely Low-birth-weight Infants. J Pediatr 2023; 262:113646. [PMID: 37516269 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between impaired brain growth and structural brain abnormalities at term-equivalent age (TEA) and neurodevelopment in extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants over the first 2 years. METHODS ELBW infants born from 2009 through 2018 and undergoing brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at TEA were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. MRI scans were reviewed using a validated quali-quantitative score, including several white and gray matter items. Neurodevelopment was assessed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months using the Griffiths scales. The independent associations between MRI subscores and the trajectories of general and specific neurodevelopmental functions were analyzed by generalized estimating equations. RESULTS One hundred-nine ELBW infants were included. White matter volume reduction and delayed myelination were associated with worse general development (b = -2.33, P = .040; b = -6.88, P = .049 respectively), social skills (b = -3.13, P = .019; b = -4.79, P = .049), and eye-hand coordination (b = -3.48, P = .009; b = -7.21, P = .045). Cystic white matter lesions were associated with poorer motor outcomes (b = -4.99, P = .027), while white matter signal abnormalities and corpus callosum thinning were associated with worse nonverbal cognitive performances (b = -6.42, P = .010; b = -6.72, P = .021, respectively). Deep gray matter volume reduction correlated with worse developmental trajectories. CONCLUSIONS Distinctive MRI abnormalities correlate with specific later developmental skills. This finding may suggest that TEA brain MRI may assist with neurodevelopmental prediction, counseling of families, and development of targeted supportive interventions to improve neurodevelopment in ELBW neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Martini
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS AOUBO, Bologna, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lenzi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Monica Maffei
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC di Neuroradiologia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Toni
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC di Neuroradiologia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Fetta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Neuropsichiatria dell'Età Pediatrica, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Arianna Aceti
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS AOUBO, Bologna, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Duccio Maria Cordelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Neuropsichiatria dell'Età Pediatrica, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Zuccarini
- Department of Education Studies "Giovanni Maria Bertin", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Guarini
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Sansavini
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luigi Corvaglia
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS AOUBO, Bologna, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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3
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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.
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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.
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4
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Pagnozzi AM, van Eijk L, Pannek K, Boyd RN, Saha S, George J, Bora S, Bradford D, Fahey M, Ditchfield M, Malhotra A, Liley H, Colditz PB, Rose S, Fripp J. Early brain morphometrics from neonatal MRI predict motor and cognitive outcomes at 2-years corrected age in very preterm infants. Neuroimage 2023; 267:119815. [PMID: 36529204 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119815] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Infants born very preterm face a range of neurodevelopmental challenges in cognitive, language, behavioural and/or motor domains. Early accurate identification of those at risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, through clinical assessment and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), enables prognostication of outcomes and the initiation of targeted early interventions. This study utilises a prospective cohort of 181 infants born <31 weeks gestation, who had 3T MRIs acquired at 29-35 weeks postmenstrual age and a comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluation at 2 years corrected age (CA). Cognitive, language and motor outcomes were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development - Third Edition and functional motor outcomes using the Neuro-sensory Motor Developmental Assessment. By leveraging advanced structural MRI pre-processing steps to standardise the data, and the state-of-the-art developing Human Connectome Pipeline, early MRI biomarkers of neurodevelopmental outcomes were identified. Using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression, significant associations between brain structure on early MRIs with 2-year outcomes were obtained (r = 0.51 and 0.48 for motor and cognitive outcomes respectively) on an independent 25% of the data. Additionally, important brain biomarkers from early MRIs were identified, including cortical grey matter volumes, as well as cortical thickness and sulcal depth across the entire cortex. Adverse outcome on the Bayley-III motor and cognitive composite scores were accurately predicted, with an Area Under the Curve of 0.86 for both scores. These associations between 2-year outcomes and patient prognosis and early neonatal MRI measures demonstrate the utility of imaging prior to term equivalent age for providing earlier commencement of targeted interventions for infants born preterm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex M Pagnozzi
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, The Australian e-Health Research Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia.
| | - Liza van Eijk
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, The Australian e-Health Research Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia; Department of Psychology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kerstin Pannek
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, The Australian e-Health Research Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Roslyn N Boyd
- Child Health Research Centre, Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Susmita Saha
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, The Australian e-Health Research Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Joanne George
- Child Health Research Centre, Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Physiotherapy Department, Queensland Children's Hospital, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Samudragupta Bora
- Mothers, Babies and Women's Health Program, Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - DanaKai Bradford
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, The Australian e-Health Research Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Michael Fahey
- Monash Health Paediatric Neurology Unit and Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Ditchfield
- Monash Imaging, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Atul Malhotra
- Monash Health Paediatric Neurology Unit and Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Monash Newborn, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen Liley
- Mothers, Babies and Women's Health Program, Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul B Colditz
- Perinatal Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stephen Rose
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, The Australian e-Health Research Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Jurgen Fripp
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, The Australian e-Health Research Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
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5
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Butera CD, Rhee C, Kelly CE, Dhollander T, Thompson DK, Wisnowski J, Molinini RM, Sargent B, Lepore N, Vorona G, Bessom D, Shall MS, Burnsed J, Stevenson RD, Brown S, Harper A, Hendricks-Muñoz KD, Dusing SC. Effect of a NICU to Home Physical Therapy Intervention on White Matter Trajectories, Motor Skills, and Problem-Solving Skills of Infants Born Very Preterm: A Case Series. J Pers Med 2022; 12:2024. [PMID: 36556244 PMCID: PMC9784100 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12122024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Infants born very preterm (VPT; ≤29 weeks of gestation) are at high risk of developmental disabilities and abnormalities in neural white matter characteristics. Early physical therapy interventions such as Supporting Play Exploration and Early Development Intervention (SPEEDI2) are associated with improvements in developmental outcomes. Six VPT infants were enrolled in a randomised clinical trial of SPEEDI2 during the transition from the neonatal intensive care unit to home over four time points. Magnetic resonance imaging scans and fixel-based analysis were performed, and fibre density (FD), fibre cross-section (FC), and fibre density and cross-section values (FDC) were computed. Changes in white matter microstructure and macrostructure were positively correlated with cognitive, motor, and motor-based problem solving over time on developmental assessments. In all infants, the greatest increase in FD, FC, and FDC occurred between Visit 1 and 2 (mean chronological age: 2.68-6.22 months), suggesting that this is a potential window of time to optimally support adaptive development. Results warrant further studies with larger groups to formally compare the impact of intervention and disparity on neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants born VPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiana Dodd Butera
- Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Claire Rhee
- Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Claire E. Kelly
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies and Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Thijs Dhollander
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Deanne K. Thompson
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies and Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jessica Wisnowski
- Departments of Radiology and Pediatrics (Neonatology), Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Rebecca M. Molinini
- Department of Physical Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Barbara Sargent
- Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Natasha Lepore
- CIBORG Laboratory, Department of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Greg Vorona
- Department of Radiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Dave Bessom
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Mary S. Shall
- Department of Physical Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Jennifer Burnsed
- Division of Neonatology, Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Richard D. Stevenson
- Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Shaaron Brown
- Department of Physical Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Amy Harper
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Karen D. Hendricks-Muñoz
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Stacey C. Dusing
- Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
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6
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Kline JE, Dudley J, Illapani VSP, Li H, Kline-Fath B, Tkach J, He L, Yuan W, Parikh NA. Diffuse excessive high signal intensity in the preterm brain on advanced MRI represents widespread neuropathology. Neuroimage 2022; 264:119727. [PMID: 36332850 PMCID: PMC9908008 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm brains commonly exhibit elevated signal intensity in the white matter on T2-weighted MRI at term-equivalent age. This signal, known as diffuse excessive high signal intensity (DEHSI) or diffuse white matter abnormality (DWMA) when quantitatively assessed, is associated with abnormal microstructure on diffusion tensor imaging. However, postmortem data are largely lacking and difficult to obtain, and the pathological significance of DEHSI remains in question. In a cohort of 202 infants born preterm at ≤32 weeks gestational age, we leveraged two newer diffusion MRI models - Constrained Spherical Deconvolution (CSD) and neurite orientation dispersion and density index (NODDI) - to better characterize the macro and microstructural properties of DWMA and inform the ongoing debate around the clinical significance of DWMA. With increasing DWMA volume, fiber density broadly decreased throughout the white matter and fiber cross-section decreased in the major sensorimotor tracts. Neurite orientation dispersion decreased in the centrum semiovale, corona radiata, and temporal lobe. These findings provide insight into DWMA's biological underpinnings and demonstrate that it is a serious pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Kline
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Jon Dudley
- 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
| | - Venkata Sita Priyanka Illapani
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Hailong Li
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Beth Kline-Fath
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, 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
| | - Jean Tkach
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Lili He
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Weihong Yuan
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Imaging Research Center, 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
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, 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.
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Neumane S, Gondova A, Leprince Y, Hertz-Pannier L, Arichi T, Dubois J. Early structural connectivity within the sensorimotor network: Deviations related to prematurity and association to neurodevelopmental outcome. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:932386. [PMID: 36507362 PMCID: PMC9732267 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.932386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Consisting of distributed and interconnected structures that interact through cortico-cortical connections and cortico-subcortical loops, the sensorimotor (SM) network undergoes rapid maturation during the perinatal period and is thus particularly vulnerable to preterm birth. However, the impact of prematurity on the development and integrity of the emerging SM connections and their relationship to later motor and global impairments are still poorly understood. In this study we aimed to explore to which extent the early microstructural maturation of SM white matter (WM) connections at term-equivalent age (TEA) is modulated by prematurity and related with neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months corrected age. We analyzed 118 diffusion MRI datasets from the developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP) database: 59 preterm (PT) low-risk infants scanned near TEA and a control group of full-term (FT) neonates paired for age at MRI and sex. We delineated WM connections between the primary SM cortices (S1, M1 and paracentral region) and subcortical structures using probabilistic tractography, and evaluated their microstructure with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) models. To go beyond tract-specific univariate analyses, we computed a maturational distance related to prematurity based on the multi-parametric Mahalanobis distance of each PT infant relative to the FT group. Our results confirmed the presence of microstructural differences in SM tracts between PT and FT infants, with effects increasing with lower gestational age at birth. Maturational distance analyses highlighted that prematurity has a differential effect on SM tracts with higher distances and thus impact on (i) cortico-cortical than cortico-subcortical connections; (ii) projections involving S1 than M1 and paracentral region; and (iii) the most rostral cortico-subcortical tracts, involving the lenticular nucleus. These different alterations at TEA suggested that vulnerability follows a specific pattern coherent with the established WM caudo-rostral progression of maturation. Finally, we highlighted some relationships between NODDI-derived maturational distances of specific tracts and fine motor and cognitive outcomes at 18 months. As a whole, our results expand understanding of the significant impact of premature birth and early alterations on the emerging SM network even in low-risk infants, with possible relationship with neurodevelopmental outcomes. This encourages further exploration of these potential neuroimaging markers for prediction of neurodevelopmental disorders, with special interest for subtle neuromotor impairments frequently observed in preterm-born children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Neumane
- Inserm, NeuroDiderot, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- CEA, NeuroSpin UNIACT, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Centre for the Developing Brain, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Gondova
- Inserm, NeuroDiderot, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- CEA, NeuroSpin UNIACT, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Yann Leprince
- CEA, NeuroSpin UNIACT, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Lucie Hertz-Pannier
- Inserm, NeuroDiderot, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- CEA, NeuroSpin UNIACT, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Tomoki Arichi
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Centre for the Developing Brain, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Paediatric Neurosciences, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Dubois
- Inserm, NeuroDiderot, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- CEA, NeuroSpin UNIACT, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
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8
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Vanes LD, Murray RM, Nosarti C. Adult outcome of preterm birth: Implications for neurodevelopmental theories of psychosis. Schizophr Res 2022; 247:41-54. [PMID: 34006427 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth is associated with an elevated risk of developmental and adult psychiatric disorders, including psychosis. In this review, we evaluate the implications of neurodevelopmental, cognitive, motor, and social sequelae of preterm birth for developing psychosis, with an emphasis on outcomes observed in adulthood. Abnormal brain development precipitated by early exposure to the extra-uterine environment, and exacerbated by neuroinflammation, neonatal brain injury, and genetic vulnerability, can result in alterations of brain structure and function persisting into adulthood. These alterations, including abnormal regional brain volumes and white matter macro- and micro-structure, can critically impair functional (e.g. frontoparietal and thalamocortical) network connectivity in a manner characteristic of psychotic illness. The resulting executive, social, and motor dysfunctions may constitute the basis for behavioural vulnerability ultimately giving rise to psychotic symptomatology. There are many pathways to psychosis, but elucidating more precisely the mechanisms whereby preterm birth increases risk may shed light on that route consequent upon early neurodevelopmental insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy D Vanes
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, King's College London, UK; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
| | - Robin M Murray
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Chiara Nosarti
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, King's College London, UK; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
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Raja R, Na X, Moore A, Otoo R, Glasier CM, Badger TM, Ou X. Associations Between White Matter Microstructures and Cognitive Functioning in 8-Year-Old Children: A Track-Weighted Imaging Study. J Child Neurol 2022; 37:471-490. [PMID: 35254148 PMCID: PMC9149064 DOI: 10.1177/08830738221083487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Quantitative tractography using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data is widely used in characterizing white matter microstructure throughout childhood, but more studies are still needed to investigate comprehensive brain-behavior relationships between tract-specific white matter measures and multiple cognitive functions in children. METHODS In this study, we analyzed diffusion-weighted MRI data of 71 healthy 8-year-old children utilizing white matter tract-specific quantitative measures derived from diffusion-weighted MRI tractography based on a novel track-weighted imaging approach. Track density imaging, average path length map and 4 track-weighted diffusion tensor imaging measures including: mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity were computed for 63 white matter tracts. The track-weighted imaging measures were then correlated with a comprehensive set of neuropsychological test scores in different cognitive domains including intelligence, language, memory, academic skills, and executive functions to identify tract-specific brain-behavior relationships. RESULTS Significant correlations (P < .05, false discovery rate corrected; r = 0.27-0.57) were found in multiple white matter tracts, with a total of 40 correlations identified between various track-weighted imaging measures including average path length map, track-weighted imaging-fractional anisotropy, and neuropsychological test scores and subscales. Specifically, track-weighted imaging measures indicative of better white matter connectivity and/or microstructural development significantly correlated with higher IQ and better language abilities. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate the ability of track-weighted imaging measures in establishing associations between white matter and cognitive functioning in healthy children and can serve as a reference for normal brain/cognition relationships in young school-age children and further aid in identifying imaging biomarkers predictive of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajikha Raja
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
| | - Xiaoxu Na
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
| | - Alexandra Moore
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
| | - Raymond Otoo
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
| | - Charles M. Glasier
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
| | - Thomas M. Badger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center
| | - Xiawei Ou
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
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10
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Neonatal encephalopathy prediction of poor outcome with diffusion-weighted imaging connectome and fixel-based analysis. Pediatr Res 2022; 91:1505-1515. [PMID: 33966055 PMCID: PMC9053106 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01550-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Better biomarkers of eventual outcome are needed for neonatal encephalopathy. To identify the most potent neonatal imaging marker associated with 2-year outcomes, we retrospectively performed diffusion-weighted imaging connectome (DWIC) and fixel-based analysis (FBA) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained in the first 4 weeks of life in term neonatal encephalopathy newborns. METHODS Diffusion tractography was available in 15 out of 24 babies with MRI, five each with normal, abnormal motor outcome, or death. All 15 except one underwent hypothermia as initial treatment. In abnormal motor and death groups, DWIC found 19 white matter pathways with severely disrupted fiber orientation distributions. RESULTS Using random forest classification, these disruptions predicted the follow-up outcomes with 89-99% accuracy. These pathways showed reduced integrity in abnormal motor and death vs. normal tone groups (p < 10-6). Using ranked supervised multi-view canonical correlation and depicting just three of the five dimensions of the analysis, the abnormal motor and death were clearly differentiated from each other and the normal tone group. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that a machine-learning model for prediction using early DWIC and FBA could be a possible way of developing biomarkers in large MRI datasets having clinical outcomes. IMPACT Early connectome and FBA of clinically acquired DWI provide a new noninvasive imaging tool to predict the long-term motor outcomes after birth, based on the severity of white matter injury. Disrupted white matter connectivity as a novel neonatal marker achieves high accuracy of 89-99% to predict 2-year motor outcomes using conventional machine-learning classification. The proposed neonatal marker may allow better prognostication that is important to elucidate neural repair mechanisms and evaluate treatment modalities in neonatal encephalopathy.
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11
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Suo X, Guo L, Fu D, Ding H, Li Y, Qin W. A Comparative Study of Diffusion Fiber Reconstruction Models for Pyramidal Tract Branches. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:777377. [PMID: 34955727 PMCID: PMC8698251 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.777377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, comparative studies evaluating the quantification accuracy of pyramidal tracts (PT) and PT branches that were tracked based on four mainstream diffusion models are deficient. The present study aims to evaluate four mainstream models using the high-quality Human Connectome Project (HCP) dataset. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), diffusion spectral imaging (DSI), generalized Q-space sampling imaging (GQI), and Q-ball imaging (QBI) were used to construct the PT and PT branches in 50 healthy volunteers from the HCP. False and true PT fibers were identified based on anatomic information. One-way repeated measure analysis of variance and post hoc paired-sample t-test were performed to identify the best PT and PT branch quantification model. The number, percentage, and density of true fibers of PT obtained based on GQI and QBI were significantly larger than those based on DTI and DSI (all p < 0.0005, Bonferroni corrected), whereas false fibers yielded the opposite results (all p < 0.0005, Bonferroni corrected). More trunk branches (PTtrunk) were present in the four diffusion models compared with the upper limb (PTUlimb), lower limb (PTLlimb), and cranial (PTcranial) branches. In addition, significantly more true fibers were obtained in PTtrunk, PTUlimb, and PTLlimb based on the GQI and QBI compared with DTI and DSI (all p < 0.0005, Bonferroni corrected). Finally, GQI-based group probabilistic maps showed that the four PT branches exhibited relatively unique spatial distributions. Therefore, the GQI and QBI represent better diffusion models for the PT and PT branches. The group probabilistic maps of PT branches have been shared with the public to facilitate more precise studies on the plasticity of and the damage to the motor pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjun Suo
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Lab of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lining Guo
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Lab of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Dianxun Fu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Lab of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Ding
- Tianjin Key Lab of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yihong Li
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wen Qin
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Lab of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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12
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Collins SE, Thompson DK, Kelly CE, Yang JYM, Pascoe L, Inder TE, Doyle LW, Cheong JLY, Burnett AC, Anderson PJ. Development of brain white matter and math computation ability in children born very preterm and full-term. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2021; 51:100987. [PMID: 34273749 PMCID: PMC8319459 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2021.100987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Children born very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks' gestation) have alterations in brain white matter and poorer math ability than full-term (FT) peers. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging studies suggest a link between white matter microstructure and math in VPT and FT children, although longitudinal studies using advanced modelling are lacking. In a prospective longitudinal cohort of VPT and FT children we used Fixel-Based Analysis to investigate associations between maturation of white matter fibre density (FD), fibre-bundle cross-section (FC), and combined fibre density and cross-section (FDC) and math computation ability at 7 (n = 136 VPT; n = 32 FT) and 13 (n = 130 VPT; n = 44 FT) years, as well as between change in white matter and math computation ability from 7 to 13 years (n = 103 VPT; n = 21 FT). In both VPT and FT children, higher FD, FC and FDC in visual, sensorimotor and cortico-thalamic/thalamo-cortical white matter tracts were associated with better math computation ability at 7 and 13 years. Longitudinally, accelerated maturation of the posterior body of the corpus callosum (FDC) was associated with greater math computation development. White matter-math associations were similar for VPT and FT children. In conclusion, white matter maturation is associated with math computation ability across late childhood, irrespective of birth group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonne E Collins
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Victorian Infant Brain Study (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Deanne K Thompson
- Victorian Infant Brain Study (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Claire E Kelly
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Victorian Infant Brain Study (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph Y M Yang
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Neuroscience Advanced Clinical Imaging Suite (NACIS), Department of Neurosurgery, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Neuroscience Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Leona Pascoe
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Victorian Infant Brain Study (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Terrie E Inder
- Victorian Infant Brain Study (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Lex W Doyle
- Victorian Infant Brain Study (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Newborn Research, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Premature Infant Follow-Up Program, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jeanie L Y Cheong
- Victorian Infant Brain Study (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Newborn Research, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Premature Infant Follow-Up Program, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alice C Burnett
- Victorian Infant Brain Study (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Premature Infant Follow-Up Program, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Neonatal Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter J Anderson
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Victorian Infant Brain Study (VIBeS), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
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13
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Chandwani R, Kline JE, Harpster K, Tkach J, Parikh NA. Early micro- and macrostructure of sensorimotor tracts and development of cerebral palsy in high risk infants. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:4708-4721. [PMID: 34322949 PMCID: PMC8410533 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infants born very preterm (VPT) are at high risk of motor impairments such as cerebral palsy (CP), and diagnosis can take 2 years. Identifying in vivo determinants of CP could facilitate presymptomatic detection and targeted intervention. Our objectives were to derive micro‐ and macrostructural measures of sensorimotor white matter tract integrity from diffusion MRI at term‐equivalent age, and determine their association with early diagnosis of CP. We enrolled 263 VPT infants (≤32 weeks gestational age) as part of a large prospective cohort study. Diffusion and structural MRI were acquired at term. Following consensus guidelines, we defined early diagnosis of CP based on abnormal structural MRI at term and abnormal neuromotor exam at 3–4 months corrected age. Using Constrained Spherical Deconvolution, we derived a white matter fiber orientation distribution (fOD) for subjects, performed probabilistic whole‐brain tractography, and segmented nine sensorimotor tracts of interest. We used the recently developed fixel‐based (FB) analysis to compute fiber density (FD), fiber‐bundle cross‐section (FC), and combined fiber density and cross‐section (FDC) for each tract. Of 223 VPT infants with high‐quality diffusion MRI data, 14 (6.3%) received an early diagnosis of CP. The cohort's mean (SD) gestational age was 29.4 (2.4) weeks and postmenstrual age at MRI scan was 42.8 (1.3) weeks. FD, FC, and FDC for each sensorimotor tract were significantly associated with early CP diagnosis, with and without adjustment for confounders. Measures of sensorimotor tract integrity enhance our understanding of white matter changes that antecede and potentially contribute to the development of CP in VPT infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Chandwani
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Julia E Kline
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Karen Harpster
- Division of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jean Tkach
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Nehal A Parikh
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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14
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Gooijers J, De Luca A, Zivari Adab H, Leemans A, Roebroeck A, Swinnen SP. Indices of callosal axonal density and radius from diffusion MRI relate to upper and lower limb motor performance. Neuroimage 2021; 241:118433. [PMID: 34324975 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the relationship between human brain structure and functional outcome is of critical importance in systems neuroscience. Diffusion MRI (dMRI) studies show that fractional anisotropy (FA) is predictive of motor control, underscoring the importance of white matter (WM). However, as FA is a surrogate marker of WM, we aim to shed new light on the structural underpinnings of this relationship by applying a multi-compartment microstructure model providing axonal density/radius indices. Sixteen young adults (7 males / 9 females), performed a hand/foot tapping task and a Multi Limb Reaction Time task. Furthermore, diffusion (STEAM &HARDI) and fMRI (localizer hand/foot activations) data were obtained. Sphere ROIs were placed on activation clusters with highest t value to guide interhemispheric WM tractography. Axonal radius/density indices of callosal parts intersecting with tractography were calculated from STEAM, using the diffusion-time dependent AxCaliber model, and correlated with behavior. Results indicated a possible association between larger apparent axonal radii of callosal motor fibers of the hand and higher tapping scores of both hands, and faster selection-related processing (normalized reaction) times (RTs) on diagonal limb combinations. Additionally, a trend was present for faster selection-related processing (normalized reaction) times for lower limbs being related with higher axonal density of callosal foot motor fibers, and for higher FA values of callosal motor fibers in general being related with better tapping and faster selection-related processing (normalized reaction) times. Whereas FA is sensitive in demonstrating associations with motor behavior, axon radius/density (i.e., fiber geometry) measures are promising to explain the physiological source behind the observed FA changes, contributing to deeper insights into brain-behavior interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gooijers
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven (3000), Belgium; LBI-KU Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven (3000), Belgium.
| | - A De Luca
- PROVIDI Lab, Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands; Neurology Department, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - H Zivari Adab
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven (3000), Belgium; LBI-KU Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven (3000), Belgium
| | - A Leemans
- PROVIDI Lab, Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - A Roebroeck
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229 EV, Netherlands
| | - S P Swinnen
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven (3000), Belgium; LBI-KU Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven (3000), Belgium
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15
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Fixel-based Analysis of Diffusion MRI: Methods, Applications, Challenges and Opportunities. Neuroimage 2021; 241:118417. [PMID: 34298083 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffusion MRI has provided the neuroimaging community with a powerful tool to acquire in-vivo data sensitive to microstructural features of white matter, up to 3 orders of magnitude smaller than typical voxel sizes. The key to extracting such valuable information lies in complex modelling techniques, which form the link between the rich diffusion MRI data and various metrics related to the microstructural organization. Over time, increasingly advanced techniques have been developed, up to the point where some diffusion MRI models can now provide access to properties specific to individual fibre populations in each voxel in the presence of multiple "crossing" fibre pathways. While highly valuable, such fibre-specific information poses unique challenges for typical image processing pipelines and statistical analysis. In this work, we review the "Fixel-Based Analysis" (FBA) framework, which implements bespoke solutions to this end. It has recently seen a stark increase in adoption for studies of both typical (healthy) populations as well as a wide range of clinical populations. We describe the main concepts related to Fixel-Based Analyses, as well as the methods and specific steps involved in a state-of-the-art FBA pipeline, with a focus on providing researchers with practical advice on how to interpret results. We also include an overview of the scope of all current FBA studies, categorized across a broad range of neuro-scientific domains, listing key design choices and summarizing their main results and conclusions. Finally, we critically discuss several aspects and challenges involved with the FBA framework, and outline some directions and future opportunities.
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