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Brain structural and microstructural alterations associated with cerebral palsy and motor impairments in adolescents

Claire E Kelly1, Linda Chan1, Alice C Burnett1

  • 1Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|July 22, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents show altered corticospinal tract (CST) microstructure and primary motor cortex (M1) thickness. These neurobiological changes are linked to motor impairments, including cerebral palsy (CP).

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Adolescents born extremely preterm or with extremely low birthweight (ELBW) often experience motor impairments.
  • Understanding the underlying neurobiological changes is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare corticospinal tract (CST) microstructure and primary motor cortex (M1) in extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents versus controls.
  • To examine these neurobiological differences across motor function subgroups (cerebral palsy, motor impairment without CP, no motor impairment).
  • To investigate associations between CST microstructure and M1 measures.

Main Methods:

  • Diffusion and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used.
  • The study included 191 extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents and 141 controls.
  • CST microstructure and M1 volume, area, and thickness were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents exhibited higher CST diffusivities and lower M1 thickness compared to controls.
  • Adolescents with cerebral palsy showed higher CST diffusivities than those without motor impairment.
  • CST diffusivities were correlated with M1 volume and area.

Conclusions:

  • Altered CST microstructure is evident in extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents and is associated with cerebral palsy.
  • The findings elucidate the interrelationship between CST and M1 alterations in influencing motor function.
Abstract

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