Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

12.0K

Reduced Cholinergic Basal Forebrain Integrity Links Neonatal Complications and Adult Cognitive Deficits After

Michel J Grothe1, Lukas Scheef2, Josef Bäuml3

  • 1Germater for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Rostockn Cen.

Biological Psychiatry
|January 29, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Premature birth can impair the cholinergic basal forebrain (cBF), leading to long-term cognitive deficits in adults. This study shows reduced cBF volume in preterm individuals, linking neonatal complications to adult IQ.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

  • Premature birth increases risk for long-term neurocognitive impairments.
  • The cholinergic basal forebrain (cBF) is vulnerable to perinatal stressors, with impaired integrity linked to cognitive deficits.
  • This study investigates cBF integrity in adults born preterm and its role in cognitive outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if cBF integrity is impaired in adults born very preterm.
  • To investigate the association between cBF integrity, neonatal complications, and adult cognitive function.
  • To examine the mediating role of cBF volume in the relationship between neonatal complications and cognitive deficits.

Main Methods:

  • Used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess cBF volume in adults born very preterm/low birth weight and term-born controls.
  • Analyzed the relationship between cBF volume, neonatal complications, and adult intelligence (IQ).
  • Employed path analysis to model the mediating effect of cBF volume.

Main Results:

  • Adults born very preterm/low birth weight had significantly reduced cBF volumes (-4.5%) compared to controls.
  • Lower cBF volume was associated with increased neonatal complications and lower adult IQ, independent of global brain volumes.
  • Path analysis confirmed that cBF volume mediates the link between neonatal complications and adult cognitive deficits.

Conclusions:

  • Provides the first human evidence that impaired cBF integrity after premature birth connects neonatal complications to long-term cognitive outcomes.
  • Suggests that cholinergic system abnormalities may be a key factor in neurocognitive impairments following premature delivery.
  • Highlights the importance of the cholinergic basal forebrain in mediating the effects of prematurity on cognitive function.
Abstract

Keywords:
IntelligenceNucleus basalis of MeynertPerinatal stressPreterm birthStructural MRISubstantia innominata

More Related Videos

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

88.2K
A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis06:19

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis

Published on: January 7, 2018

10.9K

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
1.2K
Role of Neurotransmitters in Memory01:23

Role of Neurotransmitters in Memory

Neurotransmitters are integral to the brain's communication system, enabling neurons to transmit signals across synapses. This chemical exchange underpins various cognitive functions, including memory processes. The role of neurotransmitters in memory is multifaceted, influencing the encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of memories through their action on different neural circuits.
 Glutamate and Synaptic Plasticity
Glutamate, the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter, is...
2.8K
The Nativist Approach01:21

The Nativist Approach

The nativist approach to infant cognitive development proposes that infants are born with inherent knowledge structures that allow them to interpret the world almost immediately. This perspective contrasts with earlier developmental theories, such as those proposed by Jean Piaget, which emphasized a more gradual acquisition of cognitive abilities through interaction with the environment. One key concept in this approach is object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to...
533
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory01:14

Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory

The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
1.3K