Neonatal brain injury and aberrant connectivity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Neonatal brain injury can impair neurodevelopmental outcomes by disrupting critical brain networks.
• Structural and functional brain connectivity networks are crucial for typical cognitive and motor development.
• Neuroimaging techniques like diffusion MRI and resting state-fMRI are advancing the study of infant brain development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current literature on structural and functional brain connectivity in healthy neonates.
• To examine the impact of common neonatal brain injuries on developing brain networks.
• To highlight the application of advanced neuroimaging techniques in studying brain injury effects in infants.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on neonatal brain imaging and connectivity studies.
• Analysis of studies utilizing diffusion MRI for structural connectivity assessment.
• Analysis of studies employing resting state-fMRI for functional connectivity assessment.

Main Results:

• Established normative data for structural and functional connectivity in healthy term and preterm infants.
• Characterization of brain network alterations associated with various neonatal brain injuries.
• Demonstrated utility of advanced connectome-style analyses for identifying network hubs and topology.

Conclusions:

• Neuroimaging provides critical insights into the effects of neonatal brain injury on developing brain networks.
• Further research is needed to address technical challenges in neonatal neuroimaging, especially in high-risk populations.
• Understanding connectivity changes is vital for developing targeted interventions for infants with brain injury.