Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026
12:55
P50 Sensory Gating in Infants
Published on: December 26, 2013
9.6K
Environmental Influences on Infant Cortical Thickness and Surface Area
Shaili C Jha1, Kai Xia2, Mihye Ahn3
1Curriculum in Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|February 9, 2018
Summary
Individual differences in infant brain cortical thickness and surface area are influenced by distinct factors. Neonatal surface area is linked to sex and birth factors, while cortical thickness relates to socioeconomic and ethnic background.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Human Genetics
Background:
- Cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) exhibit significant interindividual variability.
- This variability is associated with cognitive abilities and risks for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions.
- Prenatal and perinatal factors are hypothesized to significantly influence cortical development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of demographic and obstetric variables on infant CT and SA.
- To identify factors contributing to interindividual variation in neonatal brain structure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized MRI scans from 805 neonates (around 2 weeks old).
- Analyzed 17 demographic and obstetric history variables.
- Correlated these variables with measurements of CT and SA.
Main Results:
- Birth weight, postnatal age at MRI, gestational age, and sex predicted SA.
- Postnatal age at MRI, paternal education, and maternal ethnicity predicted CT.
- Neonatal SA and CT are influenced by different sets of environmental factors.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal SA is more influenced by sex and obstetric history.
- Neonatal CT is more influenced by socioeconomic and ethnic disparities.
- Interventions targeting disparities and obstetric outcomes may impact prenatal/perinatal cortical development.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence
967
Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children...
967
01:28Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences
331
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
331
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
335
Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
335
01:30Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
1.2K
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
1.2K
01:23Design Example: Deciding Thickness of Lubricating Fluid in a Shaft
348
Effective lubrication between a rotating shaft and its bearing housing is essential in rotating machinery to minimize friction, wear, and energy loss. With carefully controlled thickness and viscosity, the lubricant layer prevents metal-to-metal contact, ensuring smooth operation.
To calculate the required thickness of the lubricant layer, the tangential velocity at the shaft's surface must first be determined. This velocity is calculated by converting the rotational speed to angular velocity...
To calculate the required thickness of the lubricant layer, the tangential velocity at the shaft's surface must first be determined. This velocity is calculated by converting the rotational speed to angular velocity...
348
01:29The Influence of Affect on Cognition
307
Positive affect significantly influences cognitive processes, including evaluation, memory, creativity, and social judgments. Compared to negative affect, positive emotional states promote more favorable interpretations of stimuli, cognitive flexibility, and heuristic processing. These effects highlight emotions' powerful role in shaping how individuals perceive, remember, and interact with the world.Influence on Evaluation and AttributionWhen individuals experience positive affect, they are...
307