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Updated: May 4, 2026
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
The Perinatal Adverse events and Special Trends in Cognitive Trajectory (PLASTICITY) - pre-protocol for a prospective
Laura Hokkanen1, Jyrki Launes2, Katarina Michelsson3
1Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Division of Cognitive and Neuropsychology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Insights
This study tracks individuals with early life risk factors into adulthood to understand long-term neurological and cognitive health. Findings will inform health services for aging populations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Long-term follow-up studies on perinatal adverse conditions are scarce.
- A cohort born 1971-74 with identified risk factors has been followed since birth.
- Previous assessments occurred at ages 5, 9, 16, and 30 years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term neurological and cognitive effects of neonatal risk factors into mid-adulthood.
- To explore how early life conditions influence neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative processes.
- To establish a baseline for future aging studies at age 40.
Main Methods:
- Continued prospective follow-up of a birth cohort (PLASTICITY project).
- Comprehensive assessment at age 40 using neurological, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging methods.
- Inclusion of genetic, blood chemistry, and registry-based data.
Main Results:
- Focus on neurological and cognitive outcomes at age 40.
- Anticipated insights into risks for learning disabilities, ADHD, and early-onset cognitive impairment.
- Data will inform on potential for aging-related neurodegeneration and dementia.
Conclusions:
- Early life risk factors may significantly impact mid-adulthood neurological and cognitive health.
- Findings will guide health and social service needs for an aging population.
- This 40-year assessment provides a crucial baseline for understanding neurodegenerative trajectories.
Abstract:
Prospective follow-up studies on long term effects of pre- and perinatal adverse conditions in adulthood are rare. We will continue to follow the prospective cohort of initially 1196 subjects with predefined at-delivery risk factors out of 22,359 consecutive deliveries during 1971-74 at a single maternity hospital. The risk cohort and 93 controls have been followed up with a comprehensive clinical program at 5, 9, and 16 years of age and by questionnaire at the age of 30 years. Major medical events known to affect the development and growth of the brain, or cognitive functions and personality have been documented. Here we present a pre-protocol for the project, which we will call PLASTICITY, whose aim is to follow consenting subjects and controls into mid-adulthood and beyond, and to explore how the neonatal risk factors modulate neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative processes such as learning disabilities, ADHD, aging, early onset mild cognitive impairment and even dementia. Our first focus is on the neurological and cognitive outcomes at age 40 years, using detailed neurological, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, genetic, blood chemistry and registry based methods. Results will be expected to offer information on the risk of neurological, psychiatric, metabolic and other medical consequences as well as the need for health and social services at the brink of middle age, when new degenerative phenomena are known to emerge. The evaluation at age 40 years will serve as a baseline for later aging studies. We welcome all comments and suggestions, which we will apply in finalizing details and inviting collaboration.
