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Hippocampal shape variations at term equivalent age in very preterm infants compared with term controls: perinatal
Deanne K Thompson1, Christopher Adamson, Gehan Roberts
1Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. deanne.thompson@mcri.edu.au
Insights
Very preterm infants show altered hippocampal shape, differing from full-term infants. While infant hippocampal shape didn't predict later memory, larger hippocampal volume was linked to better verbal memory in children.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The hippocampus is crucial for memory and undergoes significant development in infancy.
- Infants born very preterm (VPT) exhibit neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities, potentially impacting hippocampal development.
- Previous research linked hippocampal shape to memory in adults, but not in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare hippocampal shape between very preterm and full-term infants.
- To investigate the influence of perinatal factors on infant hippocampal shape.
- To explore associations between infant hippocampal shape/volume and later memory outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term equivalent age for 184 VPT and 32 full-term infants.
- Hippocampal segmentation and spherical harmonics-point distribution model shape analysis.
- Assessment of verbal and visual memory at 7 years using standardized tests.
Main Results:
- VPT infants displayed less infolded hippocampi compared to full-term infants.
- Straighter hippocampal shape in VPT infants correlated with white matter injury and corticosteroid exposure.
- No significant association found between infant hippocampal shape and 7-year memory scores.
- Larger infant hippocampal volume was associated with better verbal memory at age 7.
Conclusions:
- Altered hippocampal shape in VPT infants suggests disrupted or delayed early development.
- Infant hippocampal volume, not shape, may be a more direct predictor of later verbal memory.
- Findings offer insights into early brain development and abnormalities in prematurity.
Abstract:
The hippocampus undergoes rapid growth and development in the perinatal months. Infants born very preterm (VPT) are vulnerable to hippocampal alterations, and can provide a model of disturbed early hippocampal development. Hippocampal shape alterations have previously been associated with memory impairment, but have never been investigated in infants. The aims of this study were to determine hippocampal shape differences between 184 VPT infants (<30 weeks' gestation or <1250 g at birth) and 32 full-term infants, effects of perinatal factors, and associations between infant hippocampal shape and volume, and 7 year verbal and visual memory (California Verbal Learning Test - Children's Version and Dot Locations). Infants underwent 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging at term equivalent age. Hippocampi were segmented, and spherical harmonics-point distribution model shape analysis was undertaken. VPT infants' hippocampi were less infolded than full-term infants, being less curved toward the midline and less arched superior-inferiorly. Straighter hippocampi were associated with white matter injury and postnatal corticosteroid exposure. There were no significant associations between infant hippocampal shape and 7 year memory measures. However, larger infant hippocampal volumes were associated with better verbal memory scores. Altered hippocampal shape in VPT infants at term equivalent age may reflect delayed or disrupted development. This study provides further insight into early hippocampal development and the nature of hippocampal abnormalities in prematurity.
