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Alterations in Anatomical Covariance in the Prematurely Born
Dustin Scheinost1,2, Soo Hyun Kwon3, Cheryl Lacadie1
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology.
Insights
Preterm birth alters brain anatomy and connectivity into adulthood. These changes in brain structure and covariance are linked to challenges in phonological awareness, impacting reading skills.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Preterm birth can lead to long-term neurodevelopmental changes.
- Understanding alterations in anatomical covariance following preterm birth is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how preterm birth affects anatomical covariance patterns in young adulthood.
- To identify specific brain regions and networks impacted by preterm birth.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess brain volumes in young adults born preterm (PT) and at term.
- Regional volumetrics, seed-based analyses, and whole-brain graph theory were employed.
- Correlations between brain volumes and phonological awareness were examined.
Main Results:
- Preterm birth was associated with reduced volumes in temporal, frontal, caudate, fusiform, and cingulate regions.
- Altered anatomical covariance patterns were observed in PTs, with differences in specific brain areas and white matter.
- Network complexity measures were less robust in PTs compared to term controls.
- Brain volume differences correlated significantly with phonological awareness in PTs.
Conclusions:
- Preterm birth leads to lasting and significant alterations in brain anatomical covariance in young adulthood.
- These neuroanatomical changes may underlie difficulties in cognitive functions like phonological awareness and reading.
- Findings highlight the long-term impact of preterm birth on brain structure and function.
Abstract:
Preterm (PT) birth results in long-term alterations in functional and structural connectivity, but the related changes in anatomical covariance are just beginning to be explored. To test the hypothesis that PT birth alters patterns of anatomical covariance, we investigated brain volumes of 25 PTs and 22 terms at young adulthood using magnetic resonance imaging. Using regional volumetrics, seed-based analyses, and whole brain graphs, we show that PT birth is associated with reduced volume in bilateral temporal and inferior frontal lobes, left caudate, left fusiform, and posterior cingulate for prematurely born subjects at young adulthood. Seed-based analyses demonstrate altered patterns of anatomical covariance for PTs compared with terms. PTs exhibit reduced covariance with R Brodmann area (BA) 47, Broca's area, and L BA 21, Wernicke's area, and white matter volume in the left prefrontal lobe, but increased covariance with R BA 47 and left cerebellum. Graph theory analyses demonstrate that measures of network complexity are significantly less robust in PTs compared with term controls. Volumes in regions showing group differences are significantly correlated with phonological awareness, the fundamental basis for reading acquisition, for the PTs. These data suggest both long-lasting and clinically significant alterations in the covariance in the PTs at young adulthood.
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