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Specific cognitive deficits in preschool age correlated with qualitative and quantitative MRI parameters in

Mirna Kostović Srzentić1, Marina Raguž2, David Ozretić3

  • 1Department of Health Psychology, University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia; Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Center of Research Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.

Pediatrics and Neonatology
|October 15, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Structural brain changes on MRI in preterm infants correlate with cognitive deficits. Early MRI and neuropsychological assessments are crucial for timely intervention in children born prematurely.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Perinatal brain lesions in preterm infants frequently lead to neurodevelopmental disturbances.
  • Understanding the link between brain structure and cognitive function is vital for early intervention.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at term-equivalent age and follow-up is key to assessing these changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To correlate MRI-derived structural brain parameters with cognitive outcomes in preschool-aged children.
  • To investigate the relationship between early neonatal and follow-up MRIs and cognitive functions.
  • To identify specific MRI markers predictive of cognitive deficits in preterm children.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-one preterm infants with perinatal lesions underwent MRI at term-equivalent age and again between 3-5 years.
  • Qualitative and quantitative MRI analyses were performed.
  • Cognitive function was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III) and Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment (NEPSY-II).

Main Results:

  • Moderate correlations were found between structural brain changes on MRI (both term-equivalent and follow-up) and specific cognitive deficits in preschool-aged children.
  • At term-equivalent MRI, white matter abnormalities and cortical thickness correlated with general and specific cognitive functions.
  • Follow-up MRI revealed correlations between white matter segments, corpus callosum, cortical thickness, and lobe volumes with specific cognitive functions.

Conclusions:

  • Specific cognitive deficits, beyond general delay, require targeted research and intervention in preterm children.
  • Combining MRI with detailed preschool neuropsychological assessments is recommended for early intervention.
  • These findings enhance the understanding of the relationship between early brain lesions and cognitive outcomes in premature infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
MRIcognitive deficitperinatal lesionpremature infantspreschool age

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