Diffusion tensor imaging of the inferior colliculus and brainstem auditory-evoked potentials in preterm infants
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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
Milla Reiman1, Riitta Parkkola, Reijo Johansson
1Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital, Vaha-Hameenkatu 1 A 6, Turku, 20500, Finland. milla.reiman@utu.fi
Insights
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the inferior colliculus correlates with brainstem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEP) in preterm infants. This suggests DTI can assess auditory pathway integrity in high-risk newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Imaging
- Auditory Pathway Development
Background:
- Preterm and low-birth-weight infants face elevated risks of sensorineural hearing loss.
- Brainstem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEP) detect auditory pathway conduction deficits.
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) abnormalities, particularly reduced fractional anisotropy (FA), are linked to perinatal white-matter injury and hearing loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between DTI of the inferior colliculus and BAEP in preterm infants.
- To assess the utility of DTI in evaluating the auditory pathway's integrity in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- DTI and BAEP measurements were conducted on 56 very-low-birth-weight or very preterm infants at term age.
- Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the inferior colliculus were quantified from DTI scans.
Main Results:
- Higher FA in the inferior colliculus was associated with shorter latencies for BAEP waves I, III, and V.
- Increased FA also correlated with shorter I-III and I-V intervals and a higher wave V amplitude.
Conclusions:
- The observed association between inferior colliculus DTI findings and BAEP responses supports DTI's role in assessing auditory pathway integrity.
- DTI may serve as a valuable non-invasive tool for evaluating auditory function in preterm infants.
Background:
Preterm and low-birth-weight infants have an increased risk of sensorineural hearing loss. Brainstem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEP) are an effective method to detect subtle deficits in impulse conduction in the auditory pathway. Abnormalities on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have been shown to be associated with perinatal white-matter injury and reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) has been reported in patients with sensorineural hearing loss.
Objectives:
To evaluate the possibility of a correlation between BAEP and DTI of the inferior colliculus in preterm infants.
Materials And Methods:
DTI at term age and BAEP measurements were performed on all very-low-birth-weight or very preterm study infants (n=56). FA and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the inferior colliculus were measured from the DTI.
Results:
Shorter BAEP wave I, III, and V latencies and I-III and I-V intervals and higher wave V amplitude correlated with higher FA of the inferior colliculus.
Conclusion:
The association between the DTI findings of the inferior colliculus and BAEP responses suggests that DTI can be used to assess the integrity of the auditory pathway in preterm infants.
