Resting-State Functional Connectivity and Cognitive Impairment in Children with Perinatal Stroke
Nigul Ilves1, Pilvi Ilves2, Rael Laugesaar3
1Department of Radiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Insights
Children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) show altered brain networks and cognitive deficits. Periventricular venous infarction (PVI) did not impact brain networks or cognitive function in this pediatric stroke study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Perinatal stroke is a primary cause of childhood hemiparesis and neurocognitive issues.
- Altered large-scale resting-state functional networks are implicated in cognitive and behavioral impairments in affected children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate resting-state functional connectivity and neurocognitive outcomes in children with perinatal stroke.
- To compare brain network function and cognitive performance between subtypes of perinatal stroke and controls.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional connectivity was assessed in 36 children (7.6–17.9 years) with perinatal stroke (10 PVI, 7 AIS) and 19 controls.
- Neurodevelopment was evaluated using the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measurement and Kaufman Assessment Battery.
- Statistical analyses included FDR correction and p-value thresholds for significance.
Main Results:
- Children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) exhibited increased default mode network connectivity and reduced cognitive functions compared to controls and periventricular venous infarction (PVI) groups.
- No significant differences in resting-state networks or cognitive functions were observed between the PVI group and controls.
- Hemiparesis severity did not differ between AIS and PVI groups.
Conclusions:
- Arterial ischemic stroke in children is associated with distinct alterations in cognitive function and neural network profiles.
- Periventricular venous infarction does not appear to significantly impact resting-state networks or cognitive abilities in children.
- Observed changes in resting-state networks in AIS may underlie cognitive deficits in affected children.
Abstract:
Perinatal stroke is a leading cause of congenital hemiparesis and neurocognitive deficits in children. Dysfunctions in the large-scale resting-state functional networks may underlie cognitive and behavioral disability in these children. We studied resting-state functional connectivity in patients with perinatal stroke collected from the Estonian Pediatric Stroke Database. Neurodevelopment of children was assessed by the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measurement and the Kaufman Assessment Battery. The study included 36 children (age range 7.6-17.9 years): 10 with periventricular venous infarction (PVI), 7 with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), and 19 controls. There were no differences in severity of hemiparesis between the PVI and AIS groups. A significant increase in default mode network connectivity (FDR 0.1) and lower cognitive functions (p < 0.05) were found in children with AIS compared to the controls and the PVI group. The children with PVI had no significant differences in the resting-state networks compared to the controls and their cognitive functions were normal. Our findings demonstrate impairment in cognitive functions and neural network profile in hemiparetic children with AIS compared to children with PVI and controls. Changes in the resting-state networks found in children with AIS could possibly serve as the underlying derangements of cognitive brain functions in these children.
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