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Sica A, Michieletto P, Pensiero S, Barbi E. Successful treatment of cortical visual impairment in children using anti-amblyopia treatment despite the absence of amblyopia: a case report. Ital J Pediatr 2024; 50:123. [PMID: 38956699 PMCID: PMC11218375 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01679-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is a verifiable visual dysfunction that cannot be attributed to disorders of the anterior visual pathways or any potentially co-occurring ocular impairment. Given the limited knowledge on the most effective interventions for visual impairment resulting from CVI, this case report provides valuable insights into an example of successful implementation of anti-amblyopia therapy in a patient with CVI. CASE PRESENTATION This case report presents a 5-year-old girl with CVI secondary to hypoxic-ischemic injury, resulting in visual impairment, dyspraxia, and abnormal visual evoked potential testing. The girl did not suffer from amblyopia, there was no evidence of relevant refractive errors or strabismus, so visual pathway damage was the cause of her visual deficit. Nevertheless, the patient underwent anti-amblyopia therapy and showed significant improvement in visual acuity after 12 months of treatment. The improvement, resulting from visual stimulation, was due to a good functional recovery by a better usage of the damaged visual pathways. The therapy included prescribing corrective glasses and implementing secondary occlusion of the better eye for 4 months, which was protracted for another 4 months, leading to further improvements in visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS The case report shows that addressing even minor refractive errors and implementing anti-amblyopia therapy can significantly improve vision in children with CVI, even without co-existing amblyopia. It also highlights the importance of early intervention and multidisciplinary rehabilitation in children with CVI, focusing on motor and cognitive skills. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for further research to establish evidence-based practice standards for improving vision in children with CVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attilio Sica
- University of Trieste, Via dei Piccardi, 23, Trieste, 34141, Italy.
| | - Paola Michieletto
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Pensiero
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Egidio Barbi
- University of Trieste, Via dei Piccardi, 23, Trieste, 34141, Italy
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
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Jiang YT, Zeng XJ, He M, Lei T, Xie HN. Disproportion of Corpus Callosum in Fetuses With Malformations of Cortical Development. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2024; 43:1265-1277. [PMID: 38558301 DOI: 10.1002/jum.16451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate corpus callosum (CC) size in fetuses with malformations of cortical development (MCD) and to explore the diagnostic value of three CC length (CCL) ratios in identifying cortical abnormalities. METHODS This is a single-center retrospective study in singleton fetuses at 20-37 weeks of gestation between April 2017 and August 2022. The midsagittal plane of the fetal brain was obtained and evaluated for the following variables: length, height, area of the corpus callosum, and relevant markers, including the ratios of corpus callosum length to internal cranial occipitofrontal dimension (CCL/ICOFD), corpus callosum length to femur length (CCL/FL), and corpus callosum length to cerebellar vermian diameter (CCL/VD). Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate measurement consistency. The accuracy of biometric measurements in prediction of MCD was assessed using the area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curves (AUC). RESULTS Fetuses with MCD had a significantly decreased CCL, height (genu and splenium), and area as compared with those of normal fetuses (P < .05), but there was no significant difference in body height (P = .326). The CCL/ICOFD, CCL/FL, and CCL/VD ratios were significantly decreased in fetuses with MCD when compared with controls (P < .05). The CCL/ICOFD ratio offered the highest predictive accuracy for MCD, yielding an AUC of 0.856 (95% CI: 0.774-0.938, P < .001), followed by CCL/FL ratio (AUC, 0.780 (95% CI: 0.657-0.904), P < .001), CCL/VD ratio (AUC, 0.677 (95% CI: 0.559-0.795), P < .01). CONCLUSION The corpus callosum biometric parameters in fetuses with MCD are reduced. The CCL/ICOFD ratio derived from sonographic measurements is considered a promising tool for the prenatal detection of cortical malformations. External validation of these findings and prospective studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Jiang
- Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Zeng
- Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miao He
- Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Lei
- Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong-Ning Xie
- Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Yoshimura Y, Mitani Y, Ikeda T, Tanaka S, Suda M, Yaoi K, Hasegawa C, An KM, Iwasaki S, Kumazaki H, Saito DN, Ohta H, Ando A, Cho K, Kikuchi M, Wada T. Language and sensory characteristics are reflected in voice-evoked responses in low birth weight children. Pediatr Res 2024:10.1038/s41390-024-03270-9. [PMID: 38902452 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03270-9] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children born with very low birth weight (VLBW) are at higher risk for cognitive impairment, including language deficits and sensorimotor difficulties. Voice-evoked response (P1m), which has been suggested as a language development biomarker in young children, remains unexplored for its efficacy in VLBW children. Furthermore, the relation between P1m and sensory difficulties in VLBW children remains unclear. METHODS 40 children with VLBW were recruited at 5-to-6 years old (26 male, 14 female, mean age of months ± SD, 80.0 ± 4.9). We measured their voice-evoked brain response using child-customized magnetoencephalography (MEG) and examined the relation between P1m and language conceptual inference ability and sensory characteristics. RESULTS The final sample comprised 36 children (23 boys, 13 girls; ages 61-86 months; gestational ages 24-36 weeks). As a result of multiple regression analysis, voice-evoked P1m in the left hemisphere was correlated significantly with language ability (β = 0.414 P = 0.015) and sensory hypersensitivity (β = 0.471 P = 0.005). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the relation between P1m and language conceptual inference ability observed in term children in earlier studies is replicated in VLBW children, and suggests P1m intensity as a biomarker of sensory sensitivity characteristics. IMPACT We investigated brain functions related to language development and sensory problems in very low birth-weight children. In very low birth weight children at early school age, brain responses to human voices are associated with language conceptual inference ability and sensory hypersensitivity. These findings promote a physiological understanding of both language development and sensory characteristics in very low birth weight children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Yoshimura
- Institute of Human and Social Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan
| | - Yusuke Mitani
- Department of Pediatrics, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan.
| | - Takashi Ikeda
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan
| | - Sanae Tanaka
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan
| | - Momoka Suda
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Ken Yaoi
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan
- Department of Psychology, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
| | - Chiaki Hasegawa
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan
| | - Kyung-Min An
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Sumie Iwasaki
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Kumazaki
- Department of Future Psychiatric Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8521, Japan
| | - Daisuke N Saito
- Department of Psychology, Yasuda Women's University, 6-13-1 Kuyasu, Asaminami, Hiroshima, 731-0153, Japan
| | - Hidenobu Ohta
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita, 010-8543, Japan
| | - Akiko Ando
- Maternity and Perinatal Care Center, Hokkaido University Hospital, N15, W7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Cho
- Maternity and Perinatal Care Center, Hokkaido University Hospital, N15, W7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Kikuchi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Taizo Wada
- Department of Pediatrics, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan
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Selvanathan T, Guo T, Ufkes S, Chau V, Branson H, Synnes A, Ly LG, Kelly EN, Grunau RE, Miller SP. Size and Location of Preterm Brain Injury and Associations With Neurodevelopmental Outcomes. Neurology 2024; 102:e209264. [PMID: 38527245 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000209264] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES We examined associations of white matter injury (WMI) and periventricular hemorrhagic infarction (PVHI) volume and location with 18-month neurodevelopment in very preterm infants. METHODS A total of 254 infants born <32 weeks' gestational age were prospectively recruited across 3 tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Infants underwent early-life (median 33.1 weeks) and/or term-equivalent-age (median 41.9 weeks) MRI. WMI and PVHI were manually segmented for quantification in 92 infants. Highest maternal education level was included as a marker of socioeconomic status and was defined as group 1 = primary/secondary school; group 2 = undergraduate degree; and group 3 = postgraduate degree. Eighteen-month neurodevelopmental assessments were completed with Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition. Adverse outcomes were defined as a score of less than 85 points. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine associations of brain injury (WMI and PVHI) volume with neurodevelopmental outcomes. Voxel-wise lesion symptom maps were developed to assess relationships between brain injury location and neurodevelopmental outcomes. RESULTS Greater brain injury volume was associated with lower 18-month Motor scores (β = -5.7, 95% CI -9.2 to -2.2, p = 0.002) while higher maternal education level was significantly associated with higher Cognitive scores (group 3 compared 1: β = 14.5, 95% CI -2.1 to 26.9, p = 0.03). In voxel-wise lesion symptom maps, brain injury involving the central and parietal white matter was associated with an increased risk of poorer motor outcomes. DISCUSSION We found that brain injury volume and location were significant predictors of motor, but not cognitive outcomes, suggesting that different pathways may mediate outcomes across domains of neurodevelopment in preterm infants. Specifically, assessing lesion size and location may allow for more accurate identification of infants with brain injury at highest risk of poorer motor outcomes. These data also highlight the importance of socioeconomic status in cognitive outcomes, even in preterm infants with brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiviya Selvanathan
- From Pediatrics (T.S., S.U., R.E.G., S.P.M.), BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Pediatrics (T.S., T.G., V.C., L.G.L., S.P.M.), The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Diagnostic Imaging (H.B.), The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario; Pediatrics (A.S., R.E.G.), BC Women's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; and Pediatrics (E.N.K.), Mount Sinai Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ting Guo
- From Pediatrics (T.S., S.U., R.E.G., S.P.M.), BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Pediatrics (T.S., T.G., V.C., L.G.L., S.P.M.), The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Diagnostic Imaging (H.B.), The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario; Pediatrics (A.S., R.E.G.), BC Women's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; and Pediatrics (E.N.K.), Mount Sinai Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven Ufkes
- From Pediatrics (T.S., S.U., R.E.G., S.P.M.), BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Pediatrics (T.S., T.G., V.C., L.G.L., S.P.M.), The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Diagnostic Imaging (H.B.), The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario; Pediatrics (A.S., R.E.G.), BC Women's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; and Pediatrics (E.N.K.), Mount Sinai Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vann Chau
- From Pediatrics (T.S., S.U., R.E.G., S.P.M.), BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Pediatrics (T.S., T.G., V.C., L.G.L., S.P.M.), The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Diagnostic Imaging (H.B.), The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario; Pediatrics (A.S., R.E.G.), BC Women's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; and Pediatrics (E.N.K.), Mount Sinai Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helen Branson
- From Pediatrics (T.S., S.U., R.E.G., S.P.M.), BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Pediatrics (T.S., T.G., V.C., L.G.L., S.P.M.), The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Diagnostic Imaging (H.B.), The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario; Pediatrics (A.S., R.E.G.), BC Women's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; and Pediatrics (E.N.K.), Mount Sinai Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne Synnes
- From Pediatrics (T.S., S.U., R.E.G., S.P.M.), BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Pediatrics (T.S., T.G., V.C., L.G.L., S.P.M.), The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Diagnostic Imaging (H.B.), The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario; Pediatrics (A.S., R.E.G.), BC Women's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; and Pediatrics (E.N.K.), Mount Sinai Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Linh G Ly
- From Pediatrics (T.S., S.U., R.E.G., S.P.M.), BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Pediatrics (T.S., T.G., V.C., L.G.L., S.P.M.), The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Diagnostic Imaging (H.B.), The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario; Pediatrics (A.S., R.E.G.), BC Women's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; and Pediatrics (E.N.K.), Mount Sinai Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edmond N Kelly
- From Pediatrics (T.S., S.U., R.E.G., S.P.M.), BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Pediatrics (T.S., T.G., V.C., L.G.L., S.P.M.), The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Diagnostic Imaging (H.B.), The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario; Pediatrics (A.S., R.E.G.), BC Women's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; and Pediatrics (E.N.K.), Mount Sinai Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth E Grunau
- From Pediatrics (T.S., S.U., R.E.G., S.P.M.), BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Pediatrics (T.S., T.G., V.C., L.G.L., S.P.M.), The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Diagnostic Imaging (H.B.), The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario; Pediatrics (A.S., R.E.G.), BC Women's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; and Pediatrics (E.N.K.), Mount Sinai Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven P Miller
- From Pediatrics (T.S., S.U., R.E.G., S.P.M.), BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Pediatrics (T.S., T.G., V.C., L.G.L., S.P.M.), The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Diagnostic Imaging (H.B.), The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario; Pediatrics (A.S., R.E.G.), BC Women's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; and Pediatrics (E.N.K.), Mount Sinai Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Mao W, Chen Y, He Z, Wang Z, Xiao Z, Sun Y, He L, Zhou J, Guo W, Ma C, Zhao L, Kendrick KM, Zhou B, Becker B, Liu T, Zhang T, Jiang X. Brain Structural Connectivity Guided Vision Transformers for Identification of Functional Connectivity Characteristics in Preterm Neonates. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2024; 28:2223-2234. [PMID: 38285570 DOI: 10.1109/jbhi.2024.3355020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in children under five years old, and is associated with a wide sequence of complications in both short and long term. In view of rapid neurodevelopment during the neonatal period, preterm neonates may exhibit considerable functional alterations compared to term ones. However, the identified functional alterations in previous studies merely achieve moderate classification performance, while more accurate functional characteristics with satisfying discrimination ability for better diagnosis and therapeutic treatment is underexplored. To address this problem, we propose a novel brain structural connectivity (SC) guided Vision Transformer (SCG-ViT) to identify functional connectivity (FC) differences among three neonatal groups: preterm, preterm with early postnatal experience, and term. Particularly, inspired by the neuroscience-derived information, a novel patch token of SC/FC matrix is defined, and the SC matrix is then adopted as an effective mask into the ViT model to screen out input FC patch embeddings with weaker SC, and to focus on stronger ones for better classification and identification of FC differences among the three groups. The experimental results on multi-modal MRI data of 437 neonatal brains from publicly released Developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP) demonstrate that SCG-ViT achieves superior classification ability compared to baseline models, and successfully identifies holistically different FC patterns among the three groups. Moreover, these different FCs are significantly correlated with the differential gene expressions of the three groups. In summary, SCG-ViT provides a powerfully brain-guided pipeline of adopting large-scale and data-intensive deep learning models for medical imaging-based diagnosis.
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Zhang C, Zhu Z, Wang K, Moon BF, Zhang B, Shen Y, Wang Z, Zhao X, Zhang X. Assessment of brain structure and volume reveals neurodevelopmental abnormalities in preterm infants with low-grade intraventricular hemorrhage. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5709. [PMID: 38459090 PMCID: PMC10923809 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56148-5] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants with low-grade intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). The purpose of the study was to explore whether brain microstructure and volume are associated with neuro-behavioral outcomes at 40 weeks corrected gestational age in preterm infants with low-grade IVH. MR imaging at term-equivalent age (TEA) was performed in 25 preterm infants with mild IVH (Papile grading I/II) and 40 control subjects without IVH. These subjects all had neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) at 40 weeks' corrected age. Microstructure and volume evaluation of the brain were performed by using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and Synthetic MRI. Correlations among microstructure parameters, volume, and developmental outcomes were explored by using Spearman's correlation. In preterm infants with low-grade IVH, the volume of brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) was reduced. In addition, mean kurtosis (MK), fractional anisotropy (FA), radial kurtosis (RK), axial kurtosis (AK) in several major brain regions were reduced, while mean diffusivity (MD) was increased (P < 0.05). BPF, RK in the cerebellum, MK in the genu of the corpus callosum, and MK in the thalamus of preterm infants with low-grade IVH were associated with lower NBNA scores (r = 0.831, 0.836, 0.728, 0.772, P < 0.05). DKI and Synthetic MRI can quantitatively evaluate the microstructure alterations and brain volumes in preterm infants with low-grade IVH, which provides clinicians with a more comprehensive and accurate neurobehavioral assessment of preterm infants with low-grade IVH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiang Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | | | - Kaiyu Wang
- GE Healthcare, MR Research China, Beijing, China
| | - Brianna F Moon
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bohao Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanyong Shen
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zihe Wang
- Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Xiaoan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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7
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Lugli L, Pugliese M, Bertoncelli N, Bedetti L, Agnini C, Guidotti I, Roversi MF, Della Casa EM, Cavalleri F, Todeschini A, Di Caprio A, Zini T, Corso L, Miselli F, Ferrari F, Berardi A. Neurodevelopmental Outcome and Neuroimaging of Very Low Birth Weight Infants from an Italian NICU Adopting the Family-Centered Care Model. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 11:12. [PMID: 38275433 PMCID: PMC10813860 DOI: 10.3390/children11010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improvements in perinatal care have substantially decreased mortality rates among preterm infants, yet their neurodevelopmental outcomes and quality of life persist as a pertinent public health concern. Family-centered care has emerged as a holistic philosophy that promotes effective alliances among patients, families, and healthcare providers to improve the quality of care. AIMS This longitudinal prospective study aims to evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes and brain MRI findings in a cohort of preterm newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) adopting a family-centered care model. METHODS Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants admitted to the NICU of Modena between 2015 and 2020 were enrolled. Infants who underwent conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term-equivalent age were included. Neurodevelopmental follow-up was performed until the age of 24 months by a multidisciplinary team using the Amiel-Tison neurological assessment and the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales (GMDS-R). Neurodevelopmental outcomes were classified as major sequelae (cerebral palsy, DQ ≤ 70, severe sensory impairment), minor sequelae (minor neurological signs such as clumsiness or DQ between 71 and 85), and normal outcomes (no neurological signs and DQ > 85). Risk factors for severe outcomes were assessed. RESULTS In total, 49 of the 356 infants (13.8%) died before hospital discharge, and 2 were excluded because of congenital disorders. Of the remaining 305 infants, 222 (72.8%) completed the 24 month follow-up and were included in the study. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were classified as normal (n = 173, 77.9%), minor (n = 34, 15.3%), and major sequelae (n = 15, 6.8%). Among 221 infants undergoing brain MRI, 76 (34.4%) had major lesions (intraventricular hemorrhage, hemorrhagic parenchymal infarction, periventricular leukomalacia, and large cerebellar hemorrhage). In the multivariate regression model, the retinopathy of prematurity (OR 1.8; p value 0.016) and periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (OR 5.6; p value < 0.004) were associated with major sequelae. CONCLUSIONS We reported low rates of severe neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW infants born in an Italian NICU with FCC. Identifying the risk factors for severe outcomes can assist in tailoring and optimizing early interventions on an individual basis, both within the NICU and after discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Licia Lugli
- Neonatology Unit, Mother-Child Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy; (N.B.); (L.B.); (C.A.); (I.G.); (M.F.R.); (E.M.D.C.); (T.Z.); (F.M.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Marisa Pugliese
- Psychology Unit, University Hospital of Modena, 41100 Modena, Italy;
| | - Natascia Bertoncelli
- Neonatology Unit, Mother-Child Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy; (N.B.); (L.B.); (C.A.); (I.G.); (M.F.R.); (E.M.D.C.); (T.Z.); (F.M.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Luca Bedetti
- Neonatology Unit, Mother-Child Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy; (N.B.); (L.B.); (C.A.); (I.G.); (M.F.R.); (E.M.D.C.); (T.Z.); (F.M.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Cristina Agnini
- Neonatology Unit, Mother-Child Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy; (N.B.); (L.B.); (C.A.); (I.G.); (M.F.R.); (E.M.D.C.); (T.Z.); (F.M.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Isotta Guidotti
- Neonatology Unit, Mother-Child Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy; (N.B.); (L.B.); (C.A.); (I.G.); (M.F.R.); (E.M.D.C.); (T.Z.); (F.M.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Maria Federica Roversi
- Neonatology Unit, Mother-Child Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy; (N.B.); (L.B.); (C.A.); (I.G.); (M.F.R.); (E.M.D.C.); (T.Z.); (F.M.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Elisa Muttini Della Casa
- Neonatology Unit, Mother-Child Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy; (N.B.); (L.B.); (C.A.); (I.G.); (M.F.R.); (E.M.D.C.); (T.Z.); (F.M.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Francesca Cavalleri
- Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital of Modena, 41100 Modena, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.)
| | - Alessandra Todeschini
- Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital of Modena, 41100 Modena, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.)
| | - Antonella Di Caprio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mother, Children and Adults, Postgraduate School of Pediatrics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Tommaso Zini
- Neonatology Unit, Mother-Child Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy; (N.B.); (L.B.); (C.A.); (I.G.); (M.F.R.); (E.M.D.C.); (T.Z.); (F.M.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Lucia Corso
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mother, Children and Adults, Postgraduate School of Pediatrics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Francesca Miselli
- Neonatology Unit, Mother-Child Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy; (N.B.); (L.B.); (C.A.); (I.G.); (M.F.R.); (E.M.D.C.); (T.Z.); (F.M.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
- PhD Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ferrari
- Neonatology Unit, Mother-Child Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy; (N.B.); (L.B.); (C.A.); (I.G.); (M.F.R.); (E.M.D.C.); (T.Z.); (F.M.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Alberto Berardi
- Neonatology Unit, Mother-Child Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy; (N.B.); (L.B.); (C.A.); (I.G.); (M.F.R.); (E.M.D.C.); (T.Z.); (F.M.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
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8
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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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9
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Boerma T, Ter Haar S, Ganga R, Wijnen F, Blom E, Wierenga CJ. What risk factors for Developmental Language Disorder can tell us about the neurobiological mechanisms of language development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 154:105398. [PMID: 37741516 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Language is a complex multidimensional cognitive system that is connected to many neurocognitive capacities. The development of language is therefore strongly intertwined with the development of these capacities and their neurobiological substrates. Consequently, language problems, for example those of children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), are explained by a variety of etiological pathways and each of these pathways will be associated with specific risk factors. In this review, we attempt to link previously described factors that may interfere with language development to putative underlying neurobiological mechanisms of language development, hoping to uncover openings for future therapeutical approaches or interventions that can help children to optimally develop their language skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessel Boerma
- Institute for Language Sciences, Department of Languages, Literature and Communication, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sita Ter Haar
- Institute for Language Sciences, Department of Languages, Literature and Communication, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Cognitive Neurobiology and Helmholtz Institute, Department of Psychology, Utrecht University/Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rachida Ganga
- Institute for Language Sciences, Department of Languages, Literature and Communication, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Frank Wijnen
- Institute for Language Sciences, Department of Languages, Literature and Communication, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Elma Blom
- Department of Development and Education of youth in Diverse Societies (DEEDS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Language and Culture, The Arctic University of Norway UiT, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Corette J Wierenga
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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10
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Kitase Y, Madurai NK, Hamimi S, Hellinger RL, Odukoya OA, Ramachandra S, Muthukumar S, Vasan V, Sevensky R, Kirk SE, Gall A, Heck T, Ozen M, Orsburn BC, Robinson S, Jantzie LL. Chorioamnionitis disrupts erythropoietin and melatonin homeostasis through the placental-fetal-brain axis during critical developmental periods. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1201699. [PMID: 37546540 PMCID: PMC10398572 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1201699] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Novel therapeutics are emerging to mitigate damage from perinatal brain injury (PBI). Few newborns with PBI suffer from a singular etiology. Most experience cumulative insults from prenatal inflammation, genetic and epigenetic vulnerability, toxins (opioids, other drug exposures, environmental exposure), hypoxia-ischemia, and postnatal stressors such as sepsis and seizures. Accordingly, tailoring of emerging therapeutic regimens with endogenous repair or neuro-immunomodulatory agents for individuals requires a more precise understanding of ligand, receptor-, and non-receptor-mediated regulation of essential developmental hormones. Given the recent clinical focus on neurorepair for PBI, we hypothesized that there would be injury-induced changes in erythropoietin (EPO), erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), melatonin receptor (MLTR), NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) signaling, and hypoxia inducible factors (HIF1α, HIF2α). Specifically, we predicted that EPO, EPOR, MLTR1, SIRT1, HIF1α and HIF2α alterations after chorioamnionitis (CHORIO) would reflect relative changes observed in human preterm infants. Similarly, we expected unique developmental regulation after injury that would reveal potential clues to mechanisms and timing of inflammatory and oxidative injury after CHORIO that could inform future therapeutic development to treat PBI. Methods: To induce CHORIO, a laparotomy was performed on embryonic day 18 (E18) in rats with transient uterine artery occlusion plus intra-amniotic injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Placentae and fetal brains were collected at 24 h. Brains were also collected on postnatal day 2 (P2), P7, and P21. EPO, EPOR, MLTR1, SIRT1, HIF1α and HIF2α levels were quantified using a clinical electrochemiluminescent biomarker platform, qPCR, and/or RNAscope. MLT levels were quantified with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Results: Examination of EPO, EPOR, and MLTR1 at 24 h showed that while placental levels of EPO and MLTR1 mRNA were decreased acutely after CHORIO, cerebral levels of EPO, EPOR and MLTR1 mRNA were increased compared to control. Notably, CHORIO brains at P2 were SIRT1 mRNA deficient with increased HIF1α and HIF2α despite normalized levels of EPO, EPOR and MLTR1, and in the presence of elevated serum EPO levels. Uniquely, brain levels of EPO, EPOR and MLTR1 shifted at P7 and P21, with prominent CHORIO-induced changes in mRNA expression. Reductions at P21 were concomitant with increased serum EPO levels in CHORIO rats compared to controls and variable MLT levels. Discussion: These data reveal that commensurate with robust inflammation through the maternal placental-fetal axis, CHORIO impacts EPO, MLT, SIRT1, and HIF signal transduction defined by dynamic changes in EPO, EPOR, MLTR1, SIRT1, HIF1α and HIF2α mRNA, and EPO protein. Notably, ligand-receptor mismatch, tissue compartment differential regulation, and non-receptor-mediated signaling highlight the importance, complexity and nuance of neural and immune cell development and provide essential clues to mechanisms of injury in PBI. As the placenta, immune cells, and neural cells share many common, developmentally regulated signal transduction pathways, further studies are needed to clarify the perinatal dynamics of EPO and MLT signaling and to capitalize on therapies that target endogenous neurorepair mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuma Kitase
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nethra K. Madurai
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sarah Hamimi
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ryan L. Hellinger
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - O. Angel Odukoya
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sindhu Ramachandra
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sankar Muthukumar
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Vikram Vasan
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Riley Sevensky
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shannon E. Kirk
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alexander Gall
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Timothy Heck
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Maide Ozen
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Benjamin C. Orsburn
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shenandoah Robinson
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lauren L. Jantzie
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
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11
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Kim SY, Kim EK, Song H, Cheon JE, Kim BN, Kim HS, Shin SH. Association of Brain Microstructure and Functional Connectivity With Cognitive Outcomes and Postnatal Growth Among Early School-Aged Children Born With Extremely Low Birth Weight. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e230198. [PMID: 36862414 PMCID: PMC9982697 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.0198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Postnatal growth may be associated with longitudinal brain development in children born preterm. Objective To compare brain microstructure and functional connectivity strength with cognitive outcomes in association with postnatal growth among early school-aged children born preterm with extremely low birth weight. Design, Setting, and Participants This single-center cohort study prospectively enrolled 38 children 6 to 8 years of age born preterm with extremely low birth weight: 21 with postnatal growth failure (PGF) and 17 without PGF. Children were enrolled, past records were retrospectively reviewed, and imaging data and cognitive assessments occurred from April 29, 2013, through February 14, 2017. Image processing and statistical analyses were conducted through November 2021. Exposure Postnatal growth failure in the early neonatal period. Main Outcomes and Measures Diffusion tensor images and resting-state functional magnetic resonance images were analyzed. Cognitive skills were tested using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale; executive function was assessed based on a composite score calculated from the synthetic composite of the Children's Color Trails Test, STROOP Color and Word Test, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test; attention function was evaluated using the Advanced Test of Attention (ATA); and the Hollingshead Four Factor Index of Social Status-Child was estimated. Results Twenty-one children born preterm with PGF (14 girls [66.7%]), 17 children born preterm without PGF (6 girls [35.3%]), and 44 children born full term (24 girls [54.5%]) were recruited. Attention function was less favorable in children with PGF than those without PGF (mean [SD] ATA score: children with PGF, 63.5 [9.4]; children without PGF, 55.7 [8.0]; P = .008). Significantly lower mean (SD) fractional anisotropy in the forceps major of the corpus callosum (0.498 [0.067] vs 0.558 [0.044] vs 0.570 [0.038]) and higher mean (SD) mean diffusivity in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus-parietal bundle (8.312 [0.318] vs 7.902 [0.455] vs 8.083 [0.393]; originally calculated as millimeter squared per second and rescaled 10 000 times as mean diffusivity × 10 000) were seen among children with PGF compared with children without PGF and controls, respectively. Decreased resting-state functional connectivity strength was observed in the children with PGF. The mean diffusivity of the forceps major of the corpus callosum significantly correlated with the attention measures (r = 0.225; P = .047). Functional connectivity strength between the left superior lateral occipital cortex and both superior parietal lobules correlated with cognitive outcomes of intelligence (right superior parietal lobule, r = 0.262; P = .02; and left superior parietal lobule, r = 0.286; P = .01) and executive function (right superior parietal lobule, r = 0.367; P = .002; and left superior parietal lobule, r = 0.324; P = .007). The ATA score was positively correlated with functional connectivity strength between the precuneus and anterior division of the cingulate gyrus (r = 0.225; P = .048); however, it was negatively correlated with functional connectivity strength between the posterior cingulate gyrus and both superior parietal lobules (the right superior parietal lobule [r = -0.269; P = .02] and the left superior parietal lobule [r = -0.338; P = .002]). Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study suggests that the forceps major of the corpus callosum and the superior parietal lobule were vulnerable regions in preterm infants. Preterm birth and suboptimal postnatal growth could have negative associations with brain maturation, including altered microstructure and functional connectivity. Postnatal growth may be associated with differences in long-term neurodevelopment among children born preterm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae Yun Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ee-Kyung Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Huijin Song
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Cheon
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bung Nyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Suk Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Han Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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12
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Brown RN, Pascoe L, Treyvaud K, McMahon G, Nguyen TNN, Ellis R, Stedall P, Haebich K, Collins SE, Cheong J, Doyle LW, Thompson DK, Burnett A, Anderson PJ. Early parenting behaviour is associated with complex attention outcomes in middle to late childhood in children born very preterm. Child Neuropsychol 2023; 29:165-182. [PMID: 35549808 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2022.2075334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Attention deficits are common in children born very preterm (VP), especially for children with higher social risk. The aim of this study was to examine the association between parenting behavior and attention in children born VP, and whether this association is influenced by familial social risk. Two hundred and twenty-four children born <30 weeks' gestation and/or with a birth weight <1250 g were recruited at birth. At 2 years, social risk was calculated and parenting behaviors were observed during a parent-child interaction task, with children's attention skills assessed at 7 and 13 years using standardized assessments. Higher levels of sensitive parenting at 2 years were positively associated with divided attention at age 7 years, and higher levels of intrusive parenting were negatively associated with divided attention at 13 years. Children born VP with higher social risk were more positively influenced by sensitive parenting behavior for sustained attention at 7 years, selective attention at 13 years, and divided attention at 7 and 13 years than children born VP with lower social risk. Additionally, children born VP with higher social risk were more negatively influenced by intrusive parenting for sustained attention outcomes at 7 years than those with lower social risk. In summary, the evidence for a contribution of early parenting to attention outcomes in children born VP was stronger for more complex attention (divided attention) compared with basic attention domains. Our findings also suggest that early parenting behavior has a particular influence on children born VP from socially disadvantaged environments for attention outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca N Brown
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leona Pascoe
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karli Treyvaud
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Psychology and Counselling, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Neonatal Services, Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Grace McMahon
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thi-Nhu-Ngoc Nguyen
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Ellis
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paulina Stedall
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kristina Haebich
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simonne E Collins
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeanie Cheong
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia.,Neonatal Services, Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lex W Doyle
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Neonatal Services, Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deanne K Thompson
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alice Burnett
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter J Anderson
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
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13
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Vaher K, Bogaert D, Richardson H, Boardman JP. Microbiome-gut-brain axis in brain development, cognition and behavior during infancy and early childhood. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2022.101038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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14
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Bills SE, Schatz J, Hunt E, Varanasi S, Johnston J, Bradshaw J. Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Children with Sickle Cell Disease. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2022; 28:1039-1049. [PMID: 34839840 PMCID: PMC9148381 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617721001338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the combined effect of pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) and preterm birth on cognitive functioning. METHODS Cognitive functioning was examined in children ages 6-8 with high risk SCD genotypes born preterm (n = 20) and full-term (n = 59) and lower risk SCD genotypes/no SCD born preterm (n = 11) and full-term (n = 99) using tests previously shown to be sensitive to SCD-related neurocognitive deficits. Factorial ANOVAs and log linear analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between SCD risk, preterm birth status, and cognitive outcomes. Continuous scores were examined for specific tests. Children were categorized as having an abnormal screening outcome if at least one cognitive score was ≥1.5 standard deviations below the population mean. RESULTS Children with elevated risk due to high risk SCD and preterm birth performed worse than other groups on a test of expressive language but not on tests that emphasize processing speed and working memory. There was a three-way interaction between preterm status, SCD risk, and abnormal screening outcome, which was largely driven by the increased likelihood of abnormal cognitive scores for children with high risk SCD born preterm. CONCLUSIONS The combination of SCD and preterm birth may confer increased risk for language deficits and elevated rates of abnormal cognitive screenings. This suggests that neurodevelopmental risk imparted by comorbid SCD and preterm birth may manifest as heterogenous, rather than specific, patterns of cognitive deficits. Future studies are needed to clarify the domains of cognitive functioning most susceptible to disease-related effects of comorbid SCD and preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Bills
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schatz
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Erin Hunt
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Sreya Varanasi
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Julia Johnston
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Jessica Bradshaw
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
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15
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Korkalainen N, Ilvesmäki T, Parkkola R, Perhomaa M, Mäkikallio K. Brain volumes and white matter microstructure in 8- to 10-year-old children born with fetal growth restriction. Pediatr Radiol 2022; 52:2388-2400. [PMID: 35460034 PMCID: PMC9616762 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-022-05372-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal growth restriction caused by placental insufficiency is associated with increased risk of poor neurodevelopment, even in the absence of specific perinatal brain injury. Placental insufficiency leads to chronic hypoxaemia that may alter cerebral tissue organisation and maturation. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the effects fetal growth restriction and fetal haemodynamic abnormalities have on brain volumes and white matter microstructure at early school age. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study examined 32 children born with fetal growth restriction at 24 to 40 gestational weeks, and 27 gestational age-matched children, who were appropriate for gestational age. All children underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the age of 8-10 years. Cerebral volumes were analysed, and tract-based spatial statistics and atlas-based analysis of white matter were performed on 17 children born with fetal growth restriction and 14 children with birth weight appropriate for gestational age. RESULTS Children born with fetal growth restriction demonstrated smaller total intracranial volumes compared to children with normal fetal growth, whereas no significant differences in grey or white matter volumes were detected. On atlas-based analysis of white matter, children born with fetal growth restriction demonstrated higher mean and radial diffusivity values in large white matter tracts when compared to children with normal fetal growth. CONCLUSION Children ages 8-10 years old born with fetal growth restriction demonstrated significant changes in white matter microstructure compared to children who were appropriate for gestational age, even though no differences in grey and white matter volumes were detected. Poor fetal growth may impact white matter maturation and lead to neurodevelopmental impairment later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noora Korkalainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, PEDEGO Research Unit, Oulu University Hospital, Aapistie 5 A, 5000, FI-90014, Oulu, PL, Finland.
- University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Tero Ilvesmäki
- Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Riitta Parkkola
- Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Marja Perhomaa
- Department of Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Kaarin Mäkikallio
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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16
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Bell KA, Matthews LG, Cherkerzian S, Prohl AK, Warfield SK, Inder TE, Onishi S, Belfort MB. Associations of body composition with regional brain volumes and white matter microstructure in very preterm infants. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2022; 107:533-538. [PMID: 35058276 PMCID: PMC9296693 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-321653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine associations between body composition and concurrent measures of brain development including (1) Tissue-specific brain volumes and (2) White matter microstructure, among very preterm infants at term equivalent age. DESIGN Prospective observational study. SETTING Single-centre academic level III neonatal intensive care unit. PATIENTS We studied 85 infants born <33 weeks' gestation. METHODS At term equivalent age, infants underwent air displacement plethysmography to determine body composition, and brain MRI from which we quantified tissue-specific brain volumes and fractional anisotropy (FA) of white matter tracts. We estimated associations of fat and lean mass Z-scores with each brain outcome, using linear mixed models adjusted for intrafamilial correlation among twins and potential confounding variables. RESULTS Median gestational age was 29 weeks (range 23.4-32.9). One unit greater lean mass Z-score was associated with larger total brain volume (10.5 cc, 95% CI 3.8 to 17.2); larger volumes of the cerebellum (1.2 cc, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.9) and white matter (4.5 cc, 95% CI 0.7 to 8.3); and greater FA in the left cingulum (0.3%, 95% CI 0.1% to 0.6%), right uncinate fasciculus (0.2%, 95% CI 0.0% to 0.5%), and right posterior limb of the internal capsule (0.3%, 95% CI 0.03% to 0.6%). Fat Z-scores were not associated with any outcome. CONCLUSIONS Lean mass-but not fat-at term was associated with larger brain volume and white matter microstructure differences that suggest improved maturation. Lean mass accrual may index brain growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Ann Bell
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lillian G Matthews
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infant Brain Study (VIBeS), Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sara Cherkerzian
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna K Prohl
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Simon K Warfield
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Terrie E Inder
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shun Onishi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Research Field in Medical and Health Sciences, Medical and Dental Area, Research and Education Assembly, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Mandy B Belfort
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Associations of Macronutrient Intake Determined by Point-of-Care Human Milk Analysis with Brain Development among very Preterm Infants. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9070969. [PMID: 35883953 PMCID: PMC9320519 DOI: 10.3390/children9070969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Point-of-care human milk analysis is now feasible in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and allows accurate measurement of macronutrient delivery. Higher macronutrient intakes over this period may promote brain growth and development. In a prospective, observational study of 55 infants born at <32 weeks’ gestation, we used a mid-infrared spectroscopy-based human milk analyzer to measure the macronutrient content in repeated samples of human milk over the NICU hospitalization. We calculated daily nutrient intakes from unfortified milk and assigned infants to quintiles based on median intakes over the hospitalization. Infants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging at term equivalent age to quantify total and regional brain volumes and fractional anisotropy of white matter tracts. Infants in the highest quintile of energy intake from milk, as compared with the lower four quintiles, had larger total brain volume (31 cc, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5, 56), cortical gray matter (15 cc, 95%CI: 1, 30), and white matter volume (23 cc, 95%CI: 12, 33). Higher protein intake was associated with larger total brain (36 cc, 95%CI: 7, 65), cortical gray matter (22 cc, 95%CI: 6, 38) and deep gray matter (1 cc, 95%CI: 0.1, 3) volumes. These findings suggest innovative strategies to close nutrient delivery gaps in the NICU may promote brain growth for preterm infants.
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18
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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.
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19
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Yuan S, Liu M, Kim S, Yang J, Barkovich AJ, Xu D, Kim H. Cyto/myeloarchitecture of cortical gray matter and superficial white matter in early neurodevelopment: multimodal MRI study in preterm neonates. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:357-373. [PMID: 35235643 PMCID: PMC9837610 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebral cortex undergoes rapid microstructural changes throughout the third trimester. Recently, there has been growing interest on imaging features that represent cyto/myeloarchitecture underlying intracortical myelination, cortical gray matter (GM), and its adjacent superficial whitematter (sWM). Using 92 magnetic resonance imaging scans from 78 preterm neonates, the current study used combined T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) intensity ratio and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), to characterize the developing cyto/myeloarchitectural architecture. DTI metrics showed a linear trajectory: FA decreased in GM but increased in sWM with time; and MD decreased in both GM and sWM. Conversely, T1w/T2w measurements showed a distinctive parabolic trajectory, revealing additional cyto/myeloarchitectural signature inferred. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal courses were regionally heterogeneous: central, ventral, and temporal regions of GM and sWM exhibited faster T1w/T2w changes; anterior sWM areas exhibited faster FA increases; and central and cingulate areas in GM and sWM exhibited faster MD decreases. These results may explain cyto/myeloarchitectural processes, including dendritic arborization, synaptogenesis, glial proliferation, and radial glial cell organization and apoptosis. Finally, T1w/T2w values were significantly associated with 1-year language and cognitive outcome scores, while MD significantly decreased with intraventricular hemorrhage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jingda Yang
- Department of Neurology, USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Anthony James Barkovich
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Duan Xu
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Hosung Kim
- Corresponding author: 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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20
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Pérez-Cruz M, Gómez O, Gibert M, Masoller N, Marimon E, Lip-Sosa D, Bennasar M, Bonet-Carne E, Gómez-Roig MD, Martínez-Crespo JM, Gratacós E, Eixarch E. Corpus callosum size by neurosonography in fetuses with congenital heart defect and relationship with expected pattern of brain oxygen supply. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2022; 59:220-225. [PMID: 33998077 DOI: 10.1002/uog.23684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate corpus callosum (CC) size by neurosonography (NSG) in fetuses with an isolated major congenital heart defect (CHD) and explore the association of CC size with the expected pattern of in-utero oxygen supply to the brain. METHODS A total of 56 fetuses with postnatally confirmed isolated major CHD and 56 gestational-age-matched controls were included. Fetuses with CHD were stratified into two categories according to the main expected pattern of cerebral arterial oxygen supply: Class A, moderately to severely reduced oxygen supply (left outflow tract obstruction and transposition of the great arteries) and Class B, near normal or mildly impaired oxygenated blood supply to the brain (other CHD). Transvaginal NSG was performed at 32-36 weeks in all fetuses to evaluate CC length, CC total area and areas of CC subdivisions in the midsagittal plane. RESULTS CHD fetuses had a significantly smaller CC area as compared to controls (7.91 ± 1.30 vs 9.01 ± 1.44 mm2 ; P < 0.001), which was more pronounced in the most posterior part of the CC. There was a significant linear trend for reduced CC total area across the three clinical groups, with CHD Class-A cases showing more prominent changes (controls, 9.01 ± 1.44 vs CHD Class B, 8.18 ± 1.21 vs CHD Class A, 7.53 ± 1.33 mm2 ; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Fetuses with major CHD had a smaller CC compared with controls, and the difference was more marked in the CHD subgroup with expected poorer brain oxygenation. Sonographic CC size could be a clinically feasible marker of abnormal white matter development in CHD. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pérez-Cruz
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Maternal and Child Health and Development Network II (SAMID II), funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Sub-Directorate General for Research Assessment and Promotion and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Madrid, Spain
| | - O Gómez
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Madrid, Spain
| | - M Gibert
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Masoller
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Marimon
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - D Lip-Sosa
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Bennasar
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Bonet-Carne
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M D Gómez-Roig
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Maternal and Child Health and Development Network II (SAMID II), funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Sub-Directorate General for Research Assessment and Promotion and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Madrid, Spain
| | - J M Martínez-Crespo
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Madrid, Spain
| | - E Gratacós
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Madrid, Spain
| | - E Eixarch
- BCNatal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Madrid, Spain
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21
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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.
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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
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22
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Ní Bhroin M, Kelly L, Sweetman D, Aslam S, O'Dea MI, Hurley T, Slevin M, Murphy J, Byrne AT, Colleran G, Molloy EJ, Bokde ALW. Relationship Between MRI Scoring Systems and Neurodevelopmental Outcome at Two Years in Infants With Neonatal Encephalopathy. Pediatr Neurol 2022; 126:35-42. [PMID: 34736061 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scoring systems are used in the neonatal period to predict outcome in infants with neonatal encephalopathy. Our aim was to assess the relationship between three MRI scores and neurodevelopmental outcome assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition (Bayley-III), at two years in infants with neonatal encephalopathy. METHODS Term-born neonates with evidence of perinatal asphyxia born between 2011 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. MRI scanning was performed within the first two weeks of life and scored using Barkovich, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Neonatal Research Network (NRN), and Weeke systems by a single assessor blinded to the infants clinical course. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed using composite scores on the Bayley-III at two years. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between MRI scores and Bayley-III composite scores, with postmenstrual age at scan and sex included as covariates. RESULTS Of the 135 recruited infants, 90 infants underwent MRI, and of these, 66 returned for follow-up. MRI abnormalities were detected with the highest frequency using the Weeke score (Barkovich 40%, NICHD NRN 50%, Weeke 77%). The inter-rater agreement was good for the Barkovich score and excellent for NICHD NRN and Weeke scores. There was a significant association between Barkovich, NICHD NRN, and Weeke scores and Bayley-III cognitive and motor scores. Only the Weeke score was associated with Bayley-III language scores. CONCLUSIONS Our findings confirm the predictive value of existing MRI scoring systems for cognitive and motor outcome and suggest that more detailed scoring systems have predictive value for language outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Ní Bhroin
- Cognitive Systems Group, Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Lynne Kelly
- Department of Paediatric and Child Health, Trinity College Dublin, Tallaght University Hospital (TUH), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Deirdre Sweetman
- Department of Neonatology, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Saima Aslam
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary I O'Dea
- Department of Paediatric and Child Health, Trinity College Dublin, Tallaght University Hospital (TUH), Dublin, Ireland; Department of Neonatology, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tim Hurley
- Department of Paediatric and Child Health, Trinity College Dublin, Tallaght University Hospital (TUH), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marie Slevin
- Department of Neonatology, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Murphy
- Department of Neonatology, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Angela T Byrne
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gabrielle Colleran
- Department of Radiology, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland and Children's Hospital Ireland (CHI) at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Paediatrics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Women's and Children's Health, University College Dublin (UCD), School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eleanor J Molloy
- Department of Paediatric and Child Health, Trinity College Dublin, Tallaght University Hospital (TUH), Dublin, Ireland; Department of Neonatology, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Arun L W Bokde
- Cognitive Systems Group, Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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23
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Abstract
White matter injury (WMI) represents a frequent form of parenchymal brain injury in preterm neonates. Several dimensions of WMI are recognized, with distinct neuropathologic features involving a combination of destructive and maturational anomalies. Hypoxia-ischemia is the main mechanism leading to WMI and adverse white matter development, which result from injury to the oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Inflammation might act as a potentiator for WMI. A combination of hypoxia-ischemia and inflammation is frequent in several neonatal comorbidities such as postnatal infections, NEC and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, all known contributors to WMI. White matter injury is an important predictor of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. When WMI is detected on neonatal brain imaging, a detailed characterization of the injury (pattern of injury, severity and location) may enhance the ability to predict outcomes. This clinically-oriented review will provide an overview of the pathophysiology and imaging diagnosis of the multiple dimensions of WMI, will explore the association between postnatal complications and WMI, and will provide guidance on the signification of white matter anomalies for motor and cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireille Guillot
- Department of Pediatrics (Neurology), University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Toronto M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of Pediatrics (Neonatology), Université Laval and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Steven P Miller
- Department of Pediatrics (Neurology), University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Toronto M5G 1X8, Canada.
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24
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Kitase Y, Chin EM, Ramachandra S, Burkhardt C, Madurai NK, Lenz C, Hoon AH, Robinson S, Jantzie LL. Sustained peripheral immune hyper-reactivity (SPIHR): an enduring biomarker of altered inflammatory responses in adult rats after perinatal brain injury. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:242. [PMID: 34666799 PMCID: PMC8527679 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02291-z] [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: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chorioamnionitis (CHORIO) is a principal risk factor for preterm birth and is the most common pathological abnormality found in the placentae of preterm infants. CHORIO has a multitude of effects on the maternal–placental–fetal axis including profound inflammation. Cumulatively, these changes trigger injury in the developing immune and central nervous systems, thereby increasing susceptibility to chronic sequelae later in life. Despite this and reports of neural–immune changes in children with cerebral palsy, the extent and chronicity of the peripheral immune and neuroinflammatory changes secondary to CHORIO has not been fully characterized. Methods We examined the persistence and time course of peripheral immune hyper-reactivity in an established and translational model of perinatal brain injury (PBI) secondary to CHORIO. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats underwent laparotomy on embryonic day 18 (E18, preterm equivalent). Uterine arteries were occluded for 60 min, followed by intra-amniotic injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected at young adult (postnatal day P60) and middle-aged equivalents (P120). Serum and PBMCs secretome chemokines and cytokines were assayed using multiplex electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. Multiparameter flow cytometry was performed to interrogate immune cell populations. Results Serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-5, IL-6, C–X–C Motif Chemokine Ligand 1 (CXCL1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C–C motif chemokine ligand 2/monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (CCL2/MCP-1) were significantly higher in CHORIO animals compared to sham controls at P60. Notably, CHORIO PBMCs were primed. Specifically, they were hyper-reactive and secreted more inflammatory mediators both at baseline and when stimulated in vitro. While serum levels of cytokines normalized by P120, PBMCs remained primed, and hyper-reactive with a robust pro-inflammatory secretome concomitant with a persistent change in multiple T cell populations in CHORIO animals. Conclusions The data indicate that an in utero inflammatory insult leads to neural–immune changes that persist through adulthood, thereby conferring vulnerability to brain and immune system injury throughout the lifespan. This unique molecular and cellular immune signature including sustained peripheral immune hyper-reactivity (SPIHR) and immune cell priming may be a viable biomarker of altered inflammatory responses following in utero insults and advances our understanding of the neuroinflammatory cascade that leads to perinatal brain injury and later neurodevelopmental disorders, including cerebral palsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuma Kitase
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, CMSC Building, 6-104A, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric M Chin
- Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sindhu Ramachandra
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, CMSC Building, 6-104A, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Burkhardt
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, CMSC Building, 6-104A, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nethra K Madurai
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, CMSC Building, 6-104A, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Colleen Lenz
- Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alexander H Hoon
- Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shenandoah Robinson
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lauren L Jantzie
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, CMSC Building, 6-104A, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Bugada MC, Kline JE, Parikh NA. Microstructural Measures of the Inferior Longitudinal Fasciculus Predict Later Cognitive and Language Development in Infants Born With Extremely Low Birth Weight. J Child Neurol 2021; 36:981-989. [PMID: 34187223 PMCID: PMC8458222 DOI: 10.1177/08830738211019862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Extremely preterm children are at high risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Identifying predictors of discrete developmental outcomes early in life would allow for targeted neuroprotective therapies when neuroplasticity is at its peak. Our goal was to examine whether diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics of the inferior longitudinal and uncinate fasciculi early in life could predict later cognitive and language outcomes. STUDY DESIGN In this pilot study, 43 extremely low-birth-weight preterm infants were scanned using diffusion MRI at term-equivalent age. White matter tracts were assessed via diffusion tensor imaging metrics of fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity. The Language and Cognitive subscale scores of the Bayley Scales of Infant & Toddler Development-III at 18-22 months corrected age were our outcomes of interest. Multiple linear regression models were created to assess diffusion metrics of the inferior longitudinal and uncinate fasciculi as predictors of Bayley scores. We controlled for brain injury score on structural MRI, maternal education, birth weight, and age at MRI scan. RESULTS Of the 43 infants, 36 infants had high-quality diffusion tensor imaging and returned for developmental testing. The fractional anisotropy of the inferior longitudinal fasciculus was associated with Bayley-III scores in univariate analyses and was an independent predictor of Bayley-III cognitive and language development over and above known predictors in multivariable analyses. CONCLUSIONS Incorporating new biomarkers such as the fractional anisotropy of the inferior longitudinal fasciculus with structural MRI findings could enhance accuracy of neurodevelopment predictive models. Additional research is needed to validate our findings in a larger cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Bugada
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Julia E. Kline
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Nehal A. Parikh
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
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26
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Sato J, Vandewouw MM, Bando N, Branson HM, O'Connor DL, Unger SL, Taylor MJ. White matter alterations and cognitive outcomes in children born very low birth weight. Neuroimage Clin 2021; 32:102843. [PMID: 34601309 PMCID: PMC8496319 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are at risk for disrupted white matter maturation, yet little is known about the contributing factors, particularly at preschool-age when cognitive difficulties begin to emerge. We examined white matter microstructure in five-year-old VLBW and full-term (FT) children, and its association with cognitive outcomes and birth weight. METHODS Multi-shell diffusion and MR images were obtained for 41 VLBW (mean birth weight: 1028.6 ± 256.8 g) and 26 FT (3295.4 ± 493.9 g) children. Fractional anisotropy (FA), radial diffusivity (RD), neurite orientation dispersion index (ODI) and density index (NDI) were estimated using diffusion tensor and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging models. Between-group analyses used a general linear model with group and sex as explanatory variables. Within-group associations between white matter microstructure, cognitive outcomes and birth weight were also investigated. RESULTS VLBW compared to FT children showed lower FA and NDI across widespread white matter regions. Smaller clusters of atypical ODI were also found in VLBW children. Within-group analyses in FT children revealed that lower RD and higher NDI were associated with vocabulary acquisition and working memory. In VLBW children, higher FA and NDI, and lower RD and ODI, were associated with improved processing speed. In both groups, FA was positively associated with birth weight. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate white matter alterations in young VLBW children, including widespread reductions in axon density that may reflect sustained myelination disruptions. The associations with cognitive outcomes may also highlight which of the VLBW children are at higher risk for later cognitive difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Sato
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Marlee M Vandewouw
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole Bando
- Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helen M Branson
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deborah L O'Connor
- Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Paediatrics, Mount Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sharon L Unger
- Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Paediatrics, Mount Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Neonatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margot J Taylor
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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27
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Li B, You X, Wang J, Peng Q, Yin S, Qi R, Ren Q, Hong Z. IAS-NET: Joint intraclassly adaptive GAN and segmentation network for unsupervised cross-domain in neonatal brain MRI segmentation. Med Phys 2021; 48:6962-6975. [PMID: 34494276 DOI: 10.1002/mp.15212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In neonatal brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) segmentation, the model we trained on the training set (source domain) often performs poorly in clinical practice (target domain). As the label of target-domain images is unavailable, this cross-domain segmentation needs unsupervised domain adaptation (UDA) to make the model adapt to the target domain. However, the shape and intensity distribution of neonatal brain MRI images across the domains are largely different from adults'. Current UDA methods aim to make synthesized images similar to the target domain as a whole. But it is impossible to synthesize images with intraclass similarity because of the regional misalignment caused by the cross-domain difference. This will result in generating intraclassly incorrect intensity information from target-domain images. To address this issue, we propose an IAS-NET (joint intraclassly adaptive generative adversarial network (GAN) (IA-NET) and segmentation) framework to bridge the gap between the two domains for intraclass alignment. METHODS Our proposed IAS-NET is an elegant learning framework that transfers the appearance of images across the domains from both image and feature perspectives. It consists of the proposed IA-NET and a segmentation network (S-NET). The proposed IA-NET is a GAN-based adaptive network that contains one generator (including two encoders and one shared decoder) and four discriminators for cross-domain transfer. The two encoders are implemented to extract original image, mean, and variance features from source and target domains. The proposed local adaptive instance normalization algorithm is used to perform intraclass feature alignment to the target domain in the feature-map level. S-NET is a U-net structure network that is used to provide semantic constraint by a segmentation loss for the training of IA-NET. Meanwhile, it offers pseudo-label images for calculating intraclass features of the target domain. Source code (in Tensorflow) is available at https://github.com/lb-whu/RAS-NET/. RESULTS Extensive experiments are carried out on two different data sets (NeoBrainS12 and dHCP), respectively. There exist great differences in the shape, size, and intensity distribution of magnetic resonance (MR) images in the two databases. Compared to baseline, we improve the average dice score of all tissues on NeoBrains12 by 6% through adaptive training with unlabeled dHCP images. Besides, we also conduct experiments on dHCP and improved the average dice score by 4%. The quantitative analysis of the mean and variance of the synthesized images shows that the synthesized image by the proposed is closer to the target domain both in the full brain or within each class than that of the compared methods. CONCLUSIONS In this paper, the proposed IAS-NET can improve the performance of the S-NET effectively by its intraclass feature alignment in the target domain. Compared to the current UDA methods, the synthesized images by IAS-NET are more intraclassly similar to the target domain for neonatal brain MR images. Therefore, it achieves state-of-the-art results in the compared UDA models for the segmentation task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- School of Electronic Information and Communication, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinge You
- School of Electronic Information and Communication, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qinmu Peng
- School of Electronic Information and Communication, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shi Yin
- School of Electronic Information and Communication, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ruinan Qi
- Department of Radiology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Qianqian Ren
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziming Hong
- School of Electronic Information and Communication, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Parikh MN, Chen M, Braimah A, Kline J, McNally K, Logan JW, Tamm L, Yeates KO, Yuan W, He L, Parikh NA. Diffusion MRI Microstructural Abnormalities at Term-Equivalent Age Are Associated with Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 3 Years of Age in Very Preterm Infants. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2021; 42:1535-1542. [PMID: 33958330 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Microstructural white matter abnormalities on DTI using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics at term-equivalent age are associated with cognitive and motor outcomes at 2 years of age or younger. However, neurodevelopmental tests administered at such early time points are insufficiently predictive of mild-moderate motor and cognitive impairment at school age. Our objective was to evaluate the microstructural antecedents of cognitive and motor outcomes at 3 years' corrected age in a cohort of very preterm infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS We prospectively recruited 101 very preterm infants (<32 weeks' gestational age) and performed DTI at term-equivalent age. The Differential Ability Scales, 2nd ed, Verbal and Nonverbal subtests, and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd ed, Motor subtest, were administered at 3 years of age. We correlated DTI metrics from Tract-Based Spatial Statistics with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd ed, and the Differential Ability Scales, 2nd ed, scores with correction for multiple comparisons. RESULTS Of the 101 subjects, 84 had high-quality DTI data, and of these, 69 returned for developmental testing (82%). Their mean (SD) gestational age was 28.4 (2.5) weeks, and birth weight was 1121.4 (394.1) g. DTI metrics were significantly associated with Nonverbal Ability in the corpus callosum, posterior thalamic radiations, fornix, and inferior longitudinal fasciculus and with Motor scores in the corpus callosum, internal and external capsules, posterior thalamic radiations, superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculi, cerebral peduncles, and corticospinal tracts. CONCLUSIONS We identified widespread microstructural white matter abnormalities in very preterm infants at term that were significantly associated with cognitive and motor development at 3 years' corrected age.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Parikh
- From the Perinatal Institute (M.N.P., J.K., L.H., N.A.P.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - M Chen
- Imaging Research Center (M.C., A.B., W.Y.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science (M.C.), College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - A Braimah
- Imaging Research Center (M.C., A.B., W.Y.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - J Kline
- From the Perinatal Institute (M.N.P., J.K., L.H., N.A.P.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - K McNally
- Center for Perinatal Research (K.M., J.W.L.), The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - J W Logan
- Center for Perinatal Research (K.M., J.W.L.), The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - L Tamm
- Department of Pediatrics (L.T., L.H., N.A.P.), University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Center for ADHD (L.T.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - K O Yeates
- Department of Psychology (K.O.Y.), Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - W Yuan
- Imaging Research Center (M.C., A.B., W.Y.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Radiology (W.Y.), University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - L He
- From the Perinatal Institute (M.N.P., J.K., L.H., N.A.P.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Imaging Research Center (M.C., A.B., W.Y.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics (L.T., L.H., N.A.P.), University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - N A Parikh
- From the Perinatal Institute (M.N.P., J.K., L.H., N.A.P.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio .,Department of Pediatrics (L.T., L.H., N.A.P.), University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
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29
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Dibble M, Ang JZ, Mariga L, Molloy EJ, Bokde ALW. Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Very Preterm, Moderate-Late Preterm and Term-Born Neonates: A Systematic Review. J Pediatr 2021; 232:48-58.e3. [PMID: 33453200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine white matter abnormalities, measured by diffusion tensor imaging, in very preterm (<32 weeks) and moderate-late preterm neonates (32-37 weeks) at term-equivalent age, compared with healthy full-term controls (≥37 weeks). STUDY DESIGN A search of Medline (PubMed) was conducted to identify studies with diffusion data collected on very preterm, moderate-late preterm and full-term neonates, using the guidelines from the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and PRISMA statements. RESULTS Eleven studies were included with diffusion tensor imaging data from 554 very preterm, 575 moderate-late preterm, and 318 full-term neonates. Widespread statistically significant diffusion measures were found in all preterm subgroups at term-equivalent age compared with full-term neonates, and this difference was more marked for the very preterm group. These abnormalities are suggestive of changes in the white matter microstructure in the preterm groups. The corpus callosum was a region of interest in both early and moderate-late preterm groups, which showed statistically significant diffusion measures in all 11 studies. CONCLUSIONS Microstructural white matter changes may underpin the increased risk of neurodevelopmental disability seen in preterm infants in later life. diffusion tensor imaging may therefore be a useful prognostic tool for neuro-disability in preterm neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Dibble
- Cognitive Systems Group, Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Jin Zhe Ang
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Liam Mariga
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eleanor J Molloy
- Pediatrics and Child Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Neonatologist and Pediatrician, CHI at Crumlin and Tallaght, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI) & Trinity Research in Childhood Centre (TRICC), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Arun L W Bokde
- Cognitive Systems Group, Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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30
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Prasad JD, Gunn KC, Davidson JO, Galinsky R, Graham SE, Berry MJ, Bennet L, Gunn AJ, Dean JM. Anti-Inflammatory Therapies for Treatment of Inflammation-Related Preterm Brain Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4008. [PMID: 33924540 PMCID: PMC8069827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the prevalence of preterm brain injury, there are no established neuroprotective strategies to prevent or alleviate mild-to-moderate inflammation-related brain injury. Perinatal infection and inflammation have been shown to trigger acute neuroinflammation, including proinflammatory cytokine release and gliosis, which are associated with acute and chronic disturbances in brain cell survival and maturation. These findings suggest the hypothesis that the inhibition of peripheral immune responses following infection or nonspecific inflammation may be a therapeutic strategy to reduce the associated brain injury and neurobehavioral deficits. This review provides an overview of the neonatal immunity, neuroinflammation, and mechanisms of inflammation-related brain injury in preterm infants and explores the safety and efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents as potentially neurotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya D. Prasad
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (J.D.P.); (K.C.G.); (J.O.D.); (L.B.); (A.J.G.)
| | - Katherine C. Gunn
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (J.D.P.); (K.C.G.); (J.O.D.); (L.B.); (A.J.G.)
| | - Joanne O. Davidson
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (J.D.P.); (K.C.G.); (J.O.D.); (L.B.); (A.J.G.)
| | - Robert Galinsky
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia;
| | - Scott E. Graham
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand;
| | - Mary J. Berry
- Department of Pediatrics and Health Care, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand;
| | - Laura Bennet
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (J.D.P.); (K.C.G.); (J.O.D.); (L.B.); (A.J.G.)
| | - Alistair J. Gunn
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (J.D.P.); (K.C.G.); (J.O.D.); (L.B.); (A.J.G.)
| | - Justin M. Dean
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (J.D.P.); (K.C.G.); (J.O.D.); (L.B.); (A.J.G.)
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Roze E, Reijneveld SA, Stewart RE, Bos AF. Multi-domain cognitive impairments at school age in very preterm-born children compared to term-born peers. BMC Pediatr 2021; 21:169. [PMID: 33849468 PMCID: PMC8042721 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02641-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preterm infants are at risk for functional impairments in motor, cognitive, and behavioral development that may persist into childhood. The aim of this study was to determine the co-occurrence of cognitive impairments in multiple cognitive domains at school age in very preterm born children compared to term-born children. Methods Comparative study including 60 very preterm-born children (gestational age ≤ 32 weeks) and 120 term-born controls. At school age, we assessed intelligence with the WISC-III, and visuomotor integration with the NEPSY-II, verbal memory with the AVLT, attention with the TEA-ch, and executive functioning with the BRIEF. We investigated co-occurrence of various abnormal (<5th percentile) and suspect-abnormal (<15th percentile, including both suspect and abnormal) cognitive functions. Results At mean age 8.8 years, 15% of preterm children had abnormal outcomes in multiple cognitive functions (≥2), versus 3% of the controls (odds ratio, OR 4.65, 95%-confidence interval, CI 1.33–16.35). For multiple suspect-abnormal cognitive outcomes, rates were 55% versus 25% (OR 3.02, 95%-CI 1.49–6.12). We found no pattern of co-occurrence of cognitive impairments among preterm children that deviated from term-born controls. However, low performance IQ was more frequently accompanied by additional cognitive impairments in preterms than in controls (OR 5.43, 95%-CI 1.75–16.81). Conclusions A majority of preterm children showed co-occurrence of impairments in multiple cognitive domains, but with no specific pattern of impairments. The occurrence of multi-domain cognitive impairments is higher in preterms but this seems to reflect a general increase, not one with a pattern specific for preterm-born children. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-021-02641-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Roze
- Division of Neonatology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands. .,Divison of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Sijmen A Reijneveld
- Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Roy E Stewart
- Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Arend F Bos
- Division of Neonatology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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32
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Sato J, Vandewouw MM, Bando N, Ng DVY, Branson HM, O’Connor DL, Unger SL, Taylor MJ. Early nutrition and white matter microstructure in children born very low birth weight. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab066. [PMID: 33977266 PMCID: PMC8100003 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Infants born at very low birth weight (<1500 g) are vulnerable to nutritional deficits during their first postnatal month, which are associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Despite this knowledge, the impact of early postnatal nutrition on white matter microstructure in children born with very low birth weight has not been investigated. In this prospective cohort study, we employed a whole-brain approach to investigate associations between precise estimates of nutrient intake within the first postnatal month with white matter microstructure at 5 years of age. Detailed information about breastmilk, macronutrient and energy intakes during this period were prospectively recorded for all participants. Multi-shell diffusion and T1-weighted MRIs were acquired in 41 children (21 males; mean scan age: 5.75 ± 0.22 years; mean birth weight: 1028.6 ± 256.8 g). The diffusion tensor imaging and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging models were used to obtain maps of fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, orientation dispersion and neurite density indices. Tract-based spatial statistics was used to test associations between metrics of white matter microstructure with breastmilk, macronutrient (protein, lipids and carbohydrate) and energy intake. Associations between white matter microstructure and cognitive outcomes were also examined. Compared to children who did not meet enteral feeding recommendations, those who achieved enteral protein, lipid and energy recommendations during the first postnatal month showed improved white matter maturation at 5 years. Among the macronutrients, greater protein intake contributed most to the beneficial effect of nutrition, showing widespread increases in fractional anisotropy and reductions in radial diffusivity. No significant associations were found between white matter metrics with breastmilk or carbohydrate intake. Voxel-wise analyses with cognitive outcomes revealed significant associations between higher fractional anisotropy and neurite density index with higher processing speed scores. Lower radial diffusivity and orientation dispersion index were also associated with improved processing speed. Our findings support the long-term impacts of early nutrition on white matter microstructure, which in turn is related to cognitive outcomes. These results provide strong support for early postnatal nutritional intervention as a promising strategy to improve long-term cognitive outcomes of infants born at very low birth weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Sato
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marlee M Vandewouw
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole Bando
- Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dawn V Y Ng
- Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Helen M Branson
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Deborah L O’Connor
- Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sharon L Unger
- Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Paediatrics, Mount Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neonatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Margot J Taylor
- Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
- Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Harmony T. Early diagnosis and treatment of infants with prenatal and perinatal risk factors for brain damage at the neurodevelopmental research unit in Mexico. Neuroimage 2021; 235:117984. [PMID: 33775809 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal and perinatal risk factors for perinatal brain damage frequently produce brain injuries in preterm and term infants. The early diagnosis and treatment of these infants, in the period of higher brain plasticity, may prevent the neurological and cognitive sequels that accompany these lesions. The Neurodevelopmental Research Unit at the Institute of Neurobiology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico has taken this endeavor. A multidisciplinary approach is followed. Pediatric, neurologic and rehabilitation clinical studies, MRI, EEG, visual and auditory evoked responses, and Bayley II evaluations are carried out initially. Infants are followed up to 8 years, with periodic appointments for evaluation and treatment. Katona's neurohabilitation method is used for initial diagnosis and treatment. Selective visual and auditory attention are explored from 3 months of age. This method was created in the Unit and, if deficiencies are observed, the method also describes the treatment to avoid subsequent alterations of these processes. Deficiencies in the acquisition of language are evaluated from 4 months of age, implementing treatment through instructions to parents on how they should teach their children to speak. This method has also been developed in the Unit and is in its validation process. In the MRI, we pay special attention to subtle and diffuse patterns, due to the high frequency with which they appear in contemporary cohorts at a national and international level. More than 80% of these infants showed abnormal MRI findings that should be taken into consideration. The outcome of children at 8 years old showed that 78%, 76% and 78% of extremely preterm, very preterm and late preterm, respectively, had a normal neurodevelopment. In term infants, only 69% had a normal neurodevelopment; in this group, the majority of infants had very severe brain lesions. Conclusions: It is necessary to evaluate, at an early age, all newborns with prenatal and perinatal risk factors for brain damage. Special attention should be payed to all premature newborns and those newborns who have been discharged from the intensive care unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thalía Harmony
- Unidad de Investigación en Neurodesarrollo "Augusto Fernández Guardiola", Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
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Banihani R, Seesahai J, Asztalos E, Terrien Church P. Neuroimaging at Term Equivalent Age: Is There Value for the Preterm Infant? A Narrative Summary. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 8:227. [PMID: 33809745 PMCID: PMC8002329 DOI: 10.3390/children8030227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Advances in neuroimaging of the preterm infant have enhanced the ability to detect brain injury. This added information has been a blessing and a curse. Neuroimaging, particularly with magnetic resonance imaging, has provided greater insight into the patterns of injury and specific vulnerabilities. It has also provided a better understanding of the microscopic and functional impacts of subtle and significant injuries. While the ability to detect injury is important and irresistible, the evidence for how these injuries link to specific long-term outcomes is less clear. In addition, the impact on parents can be profound. This narrative summary will review the history and current state of brain imaging, focusing on magnetic resonance imaging in the preterm population and the current state of the evidence for how these patterns relate to long-term outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudaina Banihani
- Newborn & Developmental Paediatrics, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada; (J.S.); (E.A.); (P.T.C.)
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Lammertink F, Vinkers CH, Tataranno ML, Benders MJNL. Premature Birth and Developmental Programming: Mechanisms of Resilience and Vulnerability. Front Psychiatry 2021; 11:531571. [PMID: 33488409 PMCID: PMC7820177 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.531571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The third trimester of pregnancy represents a sensitive phase for infant brain plasticity when a series of fast-developing cellular events (synaptogenesis, neuronal migration, and myelination) regulates the development of neural circuits. Throughout this dynamic period of growth and development, the human brain is susceptible to stress. Preterm infants are born with an immature brain and are, while admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, precociously exposed to stressful procedures. Postnatal stress may contribute to altered programming of the brain, including key systems such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system. These neurobiological systems are promising markers for the etiology of several affective and social psychopathologies. As preterm birth interferes with early development of stress-regulatory systems, early interventions might strengthen resilience factors and might help reduce the detrimental effects of chronic stress exposure. Here we will review the impact of stress following premature birth on the programming of neurobiological systems and discuss possible stress-related neural circuits and pathways involved in resilience and vulnerability. Finally, we discuss opportunities for early intervention and future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke Lammertink
- Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H. Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maria L. Tataranno
- Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Manon J. N. L. Benders
- Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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de Kieviet JF, Lustenhouwer R, Königs M, van Elburg RM, Pouwels PJW, Oosterlaan J. Altered structural connectome and motor problems of very preterm born children at school-age. Early Hum Dev 2021; 152:105274. [PMID: 33227634 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Infants born very preterm (<32 weeks of gestation) show distinct cognitive and motor problems throughout childhood. This study aims 1) to investigate differences in the structural connectome between very preterm born children and term born controls at school-age, and 2) to examine the relationship of the structural connectome with cognitive and motor problems. This study included 29 very preterm (12 males, mean age 8.6 years) and 52 term born peers (25 males, mean age 8.7 years). Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and Movement Assessment Battery for Children were used. Brain network measures of smallworldness, clustering coefficient and shortest path length based on fiber density of white matter tracts were determined from Diffusion Tensor Imaging data using probabilistic tractography. Smallworldness (F(1,79) = -2.09, p = .04, d = 0.52) and clustering coefficient (F(1,79) = -2.63, p = .01, d = 0.64) were significantly higher for very preterm children as compared to term peers. For Total Motor Impairment score and Manual Dexterity, there was a significant interaction between group and smallworldness (Beta = -10.81, p = .03 and Beta = -2.99, p = .004, respectively). Greater Total Motor Impairment and poorer Manual Dexterity were only significantly related to higher smallworldness in term controls (r = 0.35, p = .01 and r = 0.27, p = .04, respectively). Poorer Ball Skills were significantly related to higher smallworldness in both groups (Beta = -0.30, p = .03). This study clearly shows a more segregated network organization in very preterm children as compared to term peers. Importantly, motor problems go together with altered organization of the structural connectome in term born children, whereas this potential compensational process is only found for Ball Skills for very preterm children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorrit F de Kieviet
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Renee Lustenhouwer
- Radboud UMC, Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Marsh Königs
- Amsterdam UMC Emma Children's Hospital, Emma Neuroscience Group, Department of Paediatrics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Ruurd M van Elburg
- Amsterdam UMC Emma Children's Hospital, Emma Neuroscience Group, Department of Paediatrics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Petra J W Pouwels
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Jaap Oosterlaan
- Amsterdam UMC Emma Children's Hospital, Emma Neuroscience Group, Department of Paediatrics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Kallankari H, Saunavaara V, Parkkola R, Haataja L, Hallman M, Kaukola T. Diffusion tensor imaging in frontostriatal tracts is associated with executive functioning in very preterm children at 9 years of age. Pediatr Radiol 2021; 51:112-118. [PMID: 32870358 PMCID: PMC7796865 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-020-04802-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Very preterm birth can disturb brain maturation and subject these high-risk children to neurocognitive difficulties later. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of prematurity on microstructure of frontostriatal tracts in children with no severe neurologic impairment, and to study whether the diffusion tensor imaging metrics of frontostriatal tracts correlate to executive functioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS The prospective cohort study comprised 54 very preterm children (mean gestational age 28.8 weeks) and 20 age- and gender-matched term children. None of the children had severe neurologic impairment. The children underwent diffusion tensor imaging and neuropsychological assessments at a mean age of 9 years. We measured quantitative diffusion tensor imaging metrics of frontostriatal tracts using probabilistic tractography. We also administered five subtests from the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, Second Edition, to evaluate executive functioning. RESULTS Very preterm children had significantly higher fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity values (P<0.05, corrected for multiple comparison) in dorsolateral prefrontal caudate and ventrolateral prefrontal caudate tracts as compared to term-born children. We found negative correlations between the diffusion tensor imaging metrics of frontostriatal tracts and inhibition functions (P<0.05, corrected for multiple comparison) in very preterm children. CONCLUSION Prematurity has a long-term effect on frontostriatal white matter microstructure that might contribute to difficulties in executive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Kallankari
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. .,Department of Child Neurology, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 23, FIN-90029 OYS, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Virva Saunavaara
- PET Center, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland ,Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Riitta Parkkola
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Leena Haataja
- Department of Child Neurology, Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Hallman
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tuula Kaukola
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland ,Department of Neonatology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
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Arulkumaran S, Tusor N, Chew A, Falconer S, Kennea N, Nongena P, Hajnal JV, Counsell SJ, Rutherford MA, Edwards AD. MRI Findings at Term-Corrected Age and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in a Large Cohort of Very Preterm Infants. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2020; 41:1509-1516. [PMID: 32796100 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a6666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Brain MR imaging at term-equivalent age is a useful tool to define brain injury in preterm infants. We report pragmatic clinical radiological assessment of images from a large unselected cohort of preterm infants imaged at term and document the spectrum and frequency of acquired brain lesions and their relation to outcomes at 20 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS Infants born at <33 weeks' gestation were recruited from South and North West London neonatal units and imaged in a single center at 3T at term-equivalent age. At 20 months' corrected age, they were invited for neurodevelopmental assessment. The frequency of acquired brain lesions and the sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values for motor, cognitive, and language outcomes were calculated, and corpus callosal thinning and ventricular dilation were qualitatively assessed. RESULTS Five hundred four infants underwent 3T MR imaging at term-equivalent age; 477 attended for assessment. Seventy-six percent of infants had acquired lesions, which included periventricular leukomalacia, hemorrhagic parenchymal infarction, germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage, punctate white matter lesions, cerebellar hemorrhage, and subependymal cysts. All infants with periventricular leukomalacia, and 60% of those with hemorrhagic parenchymal infarction had abnormal motor outcomes. Routine 3T MR imaging of the brain at term-equivalent age in an unselected preterm population that demonstrates no focal lesion is 45% sensitive and 61% specific for normal neurodevelopment at 20 months and 17% sensitive and 94% specific for a normal motor outcome. CONCLUSIONS Acquired brain lesions are common in preterm infants routinely imaged at term-equivalent age, but not all predict an adverse neurodevelopmental outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Arulkumaran
- From the Centre for the Developing Brain (S.A., N.T., A.C., S.F., J.V.H., S.J.C., M.A.R., A.D.E.), School of Biomedical engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London and Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK
| | - N Tusor
- From the Centre for the Developing Brain (S.A., N.T., A.C., S.F., J.V.H., S.J.C., M.A.R., A.D.E.), School of Biomedical engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London and Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK
| | - A Chew
- From the Centre for the Developing Brain (S.A., N.T., A.C., S.F., J.V.H., S.J.C., M.A.R., A.D.E.), School of Biomedical engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London and Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK
| | - S Falconer
- From the Centre for the Developing Brain (S.A., N.T., A.C., S.F., J.V.H., S.J.C., M.A.R., A.D.E.), School of Biomedical engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London and Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK
| | - N Kennea
- Neonatal Unit (N.K.), St. George's Hospital, London, UK
| | - P Nongena
- Division of Clinical Sciences (P.N.), Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - J V Hajnal
- From the Centre for the Developing Brain (S.A., N.T., A.C., S.F., J.V.H., S.J.C., M.A.R., A.D.E.), School of Biomedical engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London and Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK
| | - S J Counsell
- From the Centre for the Developing Brain (S.A., N.T., A.C., S.F., J.V.H., S.J.C., M.A.R., A.D.E.), School of Biomedical engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London and Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK
| | - M A Rutherford
- From the Centre for the Developing Brain (S.A., N.T., A.C., S.F., J.V.H., S.J.C., M.A.R., A.D.E.), School of Biomedical engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London and Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK
| | - A D Edwards
- From the Centre for the Developing Brain (S.A., N.T., A.C., S.F., J.V.H., S.J.C., M.A.R., A.D.E.), School of Biomedical engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London and Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK
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Boggini T, Pozzoli S, Schiavolin P, Erario R, Mosca F, Brambilla P, Fumagalli M. Cumulative procedural pain and brain development in very preterm infants: A systematic review of clinical and preclinical studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 123:320-336. [PMID: 33359095 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Very preterm infants may manifest neurodevelopmental impairments, even in the absence of brain lesions. Pathogenesis is complex and multifactorial. Evidence suggests a role of early adversities on neurodevelopmental outcomes, via epigenetic regulation and changes in brain architecture. In this context, we focused on cumulative pain exposure which preterm neonates experience in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We systematically searched for: i) evidence linking pain with brain development and exploring the potential pathogenetic role of epigenetics; ii) preclinical research supporting clinical observational studies. Nine clinical neuroimaging studies, during neonatal or school age, mostly from the same research group, revealed volume reduction of white and gray matter structures in association with postnatal pain exposure. Three controlled animal studies mimicking NICU settings found increased cell death or apoptosis; nevertheless, eligible groups were limited in size. Epigenetic modulation (SLC6A4 promoter methylation) was identified in only two clinical trials. We call for additional research and, although knowledge gaps, we also point out the urgent need of minimizing painful procedures in NICUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Boggini
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, NICU, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sara Pozzoli
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Schiavolin
- University of Milan, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Erario
- University of Milan, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Mosca
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, NICU, Milan, Italy; University of Milan, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Milan, Italy; University of Milan, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Fumagalli
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, NICU, Milan, Italy; University of Milan, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Milan, Italy
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Della Rosa PA, Canini M, Marchetta E, Cirillo S, Pontesilli S, Scotti R, Natali Sora MG, Poloniato A, Barera G, Falini A, Scifo P, Baldoli C. The effects of the functional interplay between the Default Mode and Executive Control Resting State Networks on cognitive outcome in preterm born infants at 6 months of age. Brain Cogn 2020; 147:105669. [PMID: 33341657 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2020.105669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth can affect cognitive functions, such as attention or more generally executive control mechanisms, with severity in impairments proportional to prematurity. The functional cross-talk between the Default Mode (DMN) and Executive Control (ECN) networks mirrors the integrity of cognitive processing and is directly related to brain development. In this study, a cohort of 20 preterm-born infants was investigated using rs-fMRI. First, we addressed biological maturity of the DMN per se and its interplay with the ECN in terms of patterns of increased functional connectivity. Second, we assessed the impact of the degree of prematurity on the DMN-ECN functional interplay development in relation to cognitive outcome at six months. Our results highlighted the emergence of DMN in preterm neonates, with connectivity strength and synchronization between the anterior DMN hub and frontal areas increasing as a function of biological maturity. Further, cognitive scores at 6 months were predicted by mPFC-ECN connectivity strength with degree of prematurity impacting on mPFC-ECN connectivity and triggering differential patterns of functional maturation of the ECN for very early/early and moderate/late preterm neonates. Our findings suggest that the prematurity window allows to observe precursors of functional plasticity that may underlie different developmental trajectories in preterm children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matteo Canini
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Marchetta
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Cirillo
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Pontesilli
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Scotti
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Poloniato
- Unit of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Graziano Barera
- Unit of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Falini
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Scifo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
| | - Cristina Baldoli
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Prophylactic Therapy with Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells Improves Long-Term Cognitive Impairment in Rat Neonatal Sepsis Survivors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249590. [PMID: 33339379 PMCID: PMC7766081 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A systemic inflammatory response induces multiple organ dysfunction and results in poor long-term neurological outcomes in neonatal sepsis. However, there is no effective therapy for treating or preventing neonatal sepsis besides antibiotics and supportive care. Therefore, a novel strategy to improve neonatal sepsis-related morbidity and mortality is desirable. Recently, we reported that prophylactic therapy with human amniotic stem cells (hAFSCs) improved survival in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neonatal sepsis through immunomodulation. Besides improving the mortality, increasing survival without major morbidities is an important goal of neonatal intensive care for neonatal sepsis. This study investigated long-term neurological outcomes in neonatal sepsis survivors treated with hAFSCs using the LPS-induced neonatal sepsis model in rats. We found that prophylactic therapy with hAFSCs improved spatial awareness and memory-based behavior in neonatal sepsis survivors at adolescence in rats. The treatment suppressed acute reactive gliosis and subsequently reduced astrogliosis in the hippocampal region over a long period of assessment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that proves the concept that hAFSC treatment improves cognitive impairment in neonatal sepsis survivors. We demonstrate the efficacy of hAFSC therapy in improving the mortality and morbidity associated with neonatal sepsis.
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Kaminski N, Köster C, Mouloud Y, Börger V, Felderhoff-Müser U, Bendix I, Giebel B, Herz J. Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Reduce Neuroinflammation, Promote Neural Cell Proliferation and Improve Oligodendrocyte Maturation in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:601176. [PMID: 33362471 PMCID: PMC7758466 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.601176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Neonatal encephalopathy caused by hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is a major cause of childhood mortality and disability. Stem cell-based regenerative therapies seem promising to prevent long-term neurological deficits. Our previous work in neonatal HI revealed an unexpected interaction between mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) and the brains' microenvironment leading to an altered therapeutic efficiency. MSCs are supposed to mediate most of their therapeutic effects in a paracrine mode via extracellular vesicles (EVs), which might be an alternative to cell therapy. In the present study, we investigated the impact of MSC-EVs on neonatal HI-induced brain injury. Methods: Nine-day-old C57BL/6 mice were exposed to HI through ligation of the right common carotid artery followed by 1 h hypoxia (10% oxygen). MSC-EVs were injected intraperitoneally 1, 3, and 5 days after HI. One week after HI, brain injury was evaluated by regional neuropathological scoring, atrophy measurements and immunohistochemistry to assess effects on neuronal, oligodendrocyte and vessel densities, proliferation, oligodendrocyte maturation, myelination, astro-, and microglia activation. Immunohistochemistry analyses were complemented by mRNA expression analyses for a broad set of M1/M2- and A1/A2-associated molecules and neural growth factors. Results: While total neuropathological scores and tissue atrophy were not changed, MSC-EVs significantly protected from HI-induced striatal tissue loss and decreased micro- and astroglia activation. MSC-EVs lead to a significant downregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFa, accompanied by a significant upregulation of the M2 marker YM-1 and the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGFb. MSC-EVs significantly decreased astrocytic expression of the A1 marker C3, concomitant with an increased expression of neural growth factors (i.e., BDNF, VEGF, and EGF). These alterations were associated with an increased neuronal and vessel density, coinciding with a significant increase of proliferating cells in the neurogenic sub-ventricular zone juxtaposed to the striatum. MSC-EV-mediated neuroprotection went along with a significant improvement of oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that MSC-EVs mediate anti-inflammatory effects, promote regenerative responses and improve key developmental processes in the injured neonatal brain. The present results suggest different cellular target mechanisms of MSC-EVs, preventing secondary HI-induced brain injury. MSC-EV treatment may be a promising alternative to risk-associated cell therapies in neonatal brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Kaminski
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology and Experimental Perinatal Neurosciences, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christian Köster
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology and Experimental Perinatal Neurosciences, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yanis Mouloud
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Verena Börger
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ursula Felderhoff-Müser
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology and Experimental Perinatal Neurosciences, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ivo Bendix
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology and Experimental Perinatal Neurosciences, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bernd Giebel
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Josephine Herz
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology and Experimental Perinatal Neurosciences, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Pre-Brodmann pioneers of cortical cytoarchitectonics II: Carl Hammarberg, Alfred Walter Campbell and Grafton Elliot Smith. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:2591-2614. [PMID: 33141293 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02166-8] [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: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study and the preceding paper revisit landmark discoveries that paved the way to the definition of the renowned Brodmann areas in the human cerebral cortex, in an attempt to rectify certain undeserved historical neglects. A 'second period of discoveries', from 1893 to 1908, is marked by the work of Carl Hammarberg (1865-1893) in Uppsala, Alfred Walter Campbell (1868-1937) in Liverpool and Grafton Elliot Smith (1871-1937) in Cairo. Their classical findings are placed in a modern perspective.
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Kimpton JA, Batalle D, Barnett ML, Hughes EJ, Chew ATM, Falconer S, Tournier JD, Alexander D, Zhang H, Edwards AD, Counsell SJ. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging assessment of regional white matter maturation in preterm neonates. Neuroradiology 2020; 63:573-583. [PMID: 33123752 PMCID: PMC7966229 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-020-02584-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) studies report altered white matter (WM) development in preterm infants. Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) metrics provide more realistic estimations of neurite architecture in vivo compared with standard diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics. This study investigated microstructural maturation of WM in preterm neonates scanned between 25 and 45 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) with normal neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years using DTI and NODDI metrics. Methods Thirty-one neonates (n = 17 male) with median (range) gestational age (GA) 32+1 weeks (24+2–36+4) underwent 3 T brain MRI at median (range) post menstrual age (PMA) 35+2 weeks (25+3–43+1). WM tracts (cingulum, fornix, corticospinal tract (CST), inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), optic radiations) were delineated using constrained spherical deconvolution and probabilistic tractography in MRtrix3. DTI and NODDI metrics were extracted for the whole tract and cross-sections along each tract to assess regional development. Results PMA at scan positively correlated with fractional anisotropy (FA) in the CST, fornix and optic radiations and neurite density index (NDI) in the cingulum, CST and fornix and negatively correlated with mean diffusivity (MD) in all tracts. A multilinear regression model demonstrated PMA at scan influenced all diffusion measures, GA and GAxPMA at scan influenced FA, MD and NDI and gender affected NDI. Cross-sectional analyses revealed asynchronous WM maturation within and between WM tracts.). Conclusion We describe normal WM maturation in preterm neonates with normal neurodevelopmental outcomes. NODDI can enhance our understanding of WM maturation compared with standard DTI metrics alone. Supplementary Information The online version of this article (10.1007/s00234-020-02584-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Kimpton
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - D Batalle
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - M L Barnett
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - E J Hughes
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - A T M Chew
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - S Falconer
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - J D Tournier
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - D Alexander
- Department of Computer Science and Centre for Medical Imaging Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - H Zhang
- Department of Computer Science and Centre for Medical Imaging Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - A D Edwards
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - S J Counsell
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK.
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van der Knoop BJ, Zonnenberg IA, Verbeke JIML, de Vries LS, Pistorius LR, van Weissenbruch MM, Vermeulen RJ, de Vries JIP. Additional value of advanced neurosonography and magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses at risk for brain damage. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2020; 56:348-358. [PMID: 31828836 PMCID: PMC7496149 DOI: 10.1002/uog.21943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the additional value of fetal multiplanar (axial, coronal and sagittal) neurosonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to that of the standard axial ultrasound planes in diagnosing brain damage in fetuses at high risk. METHODS This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study. Women were eligible for participation if their fetus was at risk for acquired brain anomalies. Risk factors were congenital infection, alloimmune thrombocytopenia, fetal growth restriction, trauma during pregnancy, fetal hydrops, monochorionic twins and prior ultrasound finding suggestive of an acquired brain anomaly. Examinations of the fetal brain before birth comprised axial ultrasound and advanced neurosonography biweekly and MRI once. After birth, neonatal cranial ultrasound was performed at < 24 h and at term-equivalent age. Neonatal brain MRI was performed once at term-equivalent age. An expert panel blinded to medical information, including imaging findings by the other methods, evaluated the presence of periventricular echogenicity (PVE) changes, peri- and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and changes in basal ganglia and/or thalami echogenicity (BGTE) on ultrasound, and the equivalent signal intensity (SI) changes on MRI. Conclusions on imaging findings were generated by consensus. The children were followed up with examinations for psychomotor development at 1 year of age, using the Touwen examination and Alberta Infant Motor Scale, and at 2 years of age using Bayley Scale of Infant Development-III (BSID-III) and behavioral, sensory profile and linguistic questionnaires; scores > 1 SD below the mean were considered suspicious for neurodevelopmental sequelae. RESULTS Fifty-six fetuses were examined, and in 39/56 fetuses, all fetal-imaging modalities were available. PVE/SI changes were observed in 6/39, 21/39 and 2/39 fetuses on axial ultrasound planes, multiplanar neurosonography and MRI, respectively. IVH was found in 3/39, 11/39 and 1/39 fetuses, and BGTE/SI changes in 0/39, 12/39 and 0/39 fetuses, respectively. Outcome was suspicious for neurodevelopmental sequelae in 13/46 infants at 1 year, and at 2 years, 41/41 children had scores within 1 SD of the mean on BSID-III and 20 had scores > 1 SD below the mean on the behavioral (5/38), sensory profile (17/37) and/or linguistic (6/39) questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort of fetuses at risk for brain damage, the severity of acquired brain anomalies was limited. Nevertheless, multiplanar neurosonography detected more fetal PVE changes, IVH and/or BGTE changes compared to the standard axial ultrasound planes and MRI. Fetal MRI did not demonstrate any anomalies that were not seen on neurosonography. Neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age showed no or mild impairment in most cases. © 2019 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. J. van der Knoop
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyAmsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Research Institute Amsterdam Movement SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Research Institute Neuroscience Campus AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - I. A. Zonnenberg
- Department of NeonatologyEmma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - J. I. M. L. Verbeke
- Department of RadiologyAmsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - L. S. de Vries
- Department of NeonatologyUniversity Medical Centre UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - L. R. Pistorius
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyUniversity of Stellenbosch/Tygerberg HospitalTygerbergSouth Africa
| | - M. M. van Weissenbruch
- Department of NeonatologyEmma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - R. J. Vermeulen
- Amsterdam UMC, Research Institute Neuroscience Campus AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of Child NeurologyMUMC+MaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - J. I. P. de Vries
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyAmsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Research Institute Amsterdam Movement SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Research Institute Neuroscience Campus AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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Non-negative data-driven mapping of structural connections with application to the neonatal brain. Neuroimage 2020; 222:117273. [PMID: 32818619 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mapping connections in the neonatal brain can provide insight into the crucial early stages of neurodevelopment that shape brain organisation and lay the foundations for cognition and behaviour. Diffusion MRI and tractography provide unique opportunities for such explorations, through estimation of white matter bundles and brain connectivity. Atlas-based tractography protocols, i.e. a priori defined sets of masks and logical operations in a template space, have been commonly used in the adult brain to drive such explorations. However, rapid growth and maturation of the brain during early development make it challenging to ensure correspondence and validity of such atlas-based tractography approaches in the developing brain. An alternative can be provided by data-driven methods, which do not depend on predefined regions of interest. Here, we develop a novel data-driven framework to extract white matter bundles and their associated grey matter networks from neonatal tractography data, based on non-negative matrix factorisation that is inherently suited to the non-negative nature of structural connectivity data. We also develop a non-negative dual regression framework to map group-level components to individual subjects. Using in-silico simulations, we evaluate the accuracy of our approach in extracting connectivity components and compare with an alternative data-driven method, independent component analysis. We apply non-negative matrix factorisation to whole-brain connectivity obtained from publicly available datasets from the Developing Human Connectome Project, yielding grey matter components and their corresponding white matter bundles. We assess the validity and interpretability of these components against traditional tractography results and grey matter networks obtained from resting-state fMRI in the same subjects. We subsequently use them to generate a parcellation of the neonatal cortex using data from 323 new-born babies and we assess the robustness and reproducibility of this connectivity-driven parcellation.
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Ottolini KM, Andescavage N, Kapse K, Jacobs M, Limperopoulos C. Improved brain growth and microstructural development in breast milk-fed very low birth weight premature infants. Acta Paediatr 2020; 109:1580-1587. [PMID: 31922288 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM Breast milk feeding is linked to improved neurodevelopmental outcomes in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, though the mechanisms are not well understood. This study utilised quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) techniques to compare brain growth and white matter development in preterm infants receiving primarily breast milk versus formula feeds. METHODS We prospectively enrolled infants born at very low birth weight (<1500 g) and <32 weeks gestational age and performed MRI at term-equivalent age. We utilised volumetric segmentation to calculate regional and total brain volumes and diffusion tensor imaging to evaluate white matter microstructural organisation. Daily nutritional data were extracted from the medical record. RESULTS Nutritional and MRI data were obtained for 68 infants admitted within the first week of life (44 breast milk and 24 formula). Breast milk-fed infants demonstrated significantly larger total brain volumes (P = .04) as well as volumes in the amygdala-hippocampus and cerebellum (P < .01) compared with formula-fed. Infants receiving breast milk also demonstrated greater white matter microstructural organisation in the corpus callosum, posterior limb of internal capsule and cerebellum (P < .01 to .03). CONCLUSION VLBW infants receiving primarily breast milk versus preterm formula in this small exploratory study demonstrated significantly greater regional brain volumes and white matter microstructural organisation by term-equivalent age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M. Ottolini
- Department of Neonatology 18th Medical Operations Squadron Kadena AB Okinawa Japan
- Department of Pediatrics Division of Neonatology Uniformed Services University Bethesda MD USA
| | - Nickie Andescavage
- Department of Neonatology Children's National Health Systems Washington DC USA
| | - Kushal Kapse
- Developing Brain Research Laboratory Children's National Health Systems Washington DC USA
| | - Marni Jacobs
- Division of Biostatistics & Study Methodology Children's National Health Systems Washington DC USA
| | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- Developing Brain Research Laboratory Children's National Health Systems Washington DC USA
- Department of Pediatrics Department of Radiology George Washington University School of Medicine Washington DC USA
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Dimitrova R, Pietsch M, Christiaens D, Ciarrusta J, Wolfers T, Batalle D, Hughes E, Hutter J, Cordero-Grande L, Price AN, Chew A, Falconer S, Vecchiato K, Steinweg JK, Carney O, Rutherford MA, Tournier JD, Counsell SJ, Marquand AF, Rueckert D, Hajnal JV, McAlonan G, Edwards AD, O’Muircheartaigh J. Heterogeneity in Brain Microstructural Development Following Preterm Birth. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:4800-4810. [PMID: 32306044 PMCID: PMC7391275 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm-born children are at increased risk of lifelong neurodevelopmental difficulties. Group-wise analyses of magnetic resonance imaging show many differences between preterm- and term-born infants but do not reliably predict neurocognitive prognosis for individual infants. This might be due to the unrecognized heterogeneity of cerebral injury within the preterm group. This study aimed to determine whether atypical brain microstructural development following preterm birth is significantly variable between infants. Using Gaussian process regression, a technique that allows a single-individual inference, we characterized typical variation of brain microstructure using maps of fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity in a sample of 270 term-born neonates. Then, we compared 82 preterm infants to these normative values to identify brain regions with atypical microstructure and relate observed deviations to degree of prematurity and neurocognition at 18 months. Preterm infants showed strikingly heterogeneous deviations from typical development, with little spatial overlap between infants. Greater and more extensive deviations, captured by a whole brain atypicality index, were associated with more extreme prematurity and predicted poorer cognitive and language abilities at 18 months. Brain microstructural development after preterm birth is highly variable between individual infants. This poorly understood heterogeneity likely relates to both the etiology and prognosis of brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralica Dimitrova
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Department for Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Maximilian Pietsch
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Daan Christiaens
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Department of Electrical Engineering, ESAT/PSI, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Judit Ciarrusta
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Department for Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Thomas Wolfers
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radbound University, Nijmegen, 6525EN, the Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radbound University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, 6525EN, the Netherlands
| | - Dafnis Batalle
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Department for Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Emer Hughes
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Jana Hutter
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Lucilio Cordero-Grande
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Biomedical Image Technologies, ETSI Telecomunicacion, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid and CIBER-BBN, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Anthony N Price
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Andrew Chew
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Shona Falconer
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Katy Vecchiato
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Department for Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Johannes K Steinweg
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Olivia Carney
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Mary A Rutherford
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - J-Donald Tournier
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Serena J Counsell
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Andre F Marquand
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radbound University, Nijmegen, 6525EN, the Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radbound University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, 6525EN, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel Rueckert
- Biomedical Image Analysis Group, Department of Computing, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Joseph V Hajnal
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Grainne McAlonan
- Department for Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - A David Edwards
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Jonathan O’Muircheartaigh
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Department for Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
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Inhibition is associated with whole-brain structural brain connectivity on network level in school-aged children born very preterm and at term. Neuroimage 2020; 218:116937. [PMID: 32416228 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition abilities are often impaired in children born very preterm. In typically-developing individuals, inhibition has been associated with structural brain connectivity (SC). As SC is frequently altered following preterm birth, this study investigated whether aberrant SC underlies inhibition deficits in school-aged children born very preterm. In a group of 67 very preterm participants aged 8-13 years and 69 term-born peers, inhibition abilities were assessed with two tasks. In a subgroup of 50 very preterm and 62 term-born participants, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were collected. Using network-based statistics (NBS), mean fractional anisotropy (FAmean) was compared between groups. Associations of FAmean and inhibition abilities were explored through linear regression. The composite score of inhibition abilities was lower in the very preterm group (M = -0.4, SD = 0.8) than in the term-born group (M = 0.0, SD = 0.8) but group differences were not significant when adjusting for age, sex and socio-economic status (β = -0.13, 95%-CI [-0.30, 0.04], p = 0.13). In the very preterm group, FAmean was significantly lower in a network comprising thalamo-frontal, thalamo-temporal, frontal, cerebellar and intra-hemispheric connections than in the term-born group (t = 5.21, lowest p-value = 0.001). Irrespective of birth status, a network comprising parietal, cerebellar and subcortical connections was positively associated with inhibition abilities (t = 4.23, lowest p-value = 0.02). Very preterm birth results in long-term alterations of SC at network-level. As networks underlying inhibition abilities do not overlap with those differing between the groups, FAmean may not be adequate to explain inhibition problems in very preterm children. Future studies should combine complementary measures of brain connectivity to address neural correlates of inhibition abilities.
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Blesa M, Galdi P, Sullivan G, Wheater EN, Stoye DQ, Lamb GJ, Quigley AJ, Thrippleton MJ, Bastin ME, Boardman JP. Peak Width of Skeletonized Water Diffusion MRI in the Neonatal Brain. Front Neurol 2020; 11:235. [PMID: 32318015 PMCID: PMC7146826 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth is closely associated with cognitive impairment and generalized dysconnectivity of neural networks inferred from water diffusion MRI (dMRI) metrics. Peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) is a metric derived from histogram analysis of mean diffusivity across the white matter skeleton, and it is a useful biomarker of generalized dysconnectivity and cognition in adulthood. We calculated PSMD and five other histogram based metrics derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation and dispersion imaging (NODDI) in the newborn, and evaluated their accuracy as biomarkers of microstructural brain white matter alterations associated with preterm birth. One hundred and thirty five neonates (76 preterm, 59 term) underwent 3T MRI at term equivalent age. There were group differences in peak width of skeletonized mean, axial, and radial diffusivities (PSMD, PSAD, PSRD), orientation dispersion index (PSODI) and neurite dispersion index (PSNDI), all p < 10-4. PSFA did not differ between groups. PSNDI was the best classifier of gestational age at birth with an accuracy of 81±10%, followed by PSMD, which had 77±9% accuracy. Models built on both NODDI metrics, and on all dMRI metrics combined, did not outperform the model based on PSNDI alone. We conclude that histogram based analyses of DTI and NODDI parameters are promising new image markers for investigating diffuse changes in brain connectivity in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Blesa
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Galdi
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Gemma Sullivan
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Emily N. Wheater
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David Q. Stoye
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian J. Lamb
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alan J. Quigley
- Department of Radiology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Thrippleton
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Edinburgh Imaging, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mark E. Bastin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - James P. Boardman
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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