Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Advances in functional and diffusion neuroimaging research into the long-term consequences of very preterm birth
Dana Kanel1,2, Serena J Counsell1, Chiara Nosarti3,4
1Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
Insights
Very preterm birth is linked to lasting neurocognitive issues. Advanced MRI techniques like functional MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI help understand brain changes and guide interventions for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Very preterm birth (<32 weeks gestation) is associated with persistent neurocognitive deficits.
- Understanding the neurobiological basis of these deficits is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review novel neuroimaging techniques for studying very preterm infants.
- To explore the link between brain mechanisms and behavioral outcomes in this population.
Main Methods:
- Focus on functional MRI (fMRI) to map brain metabolism.
- Focus on diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI) to assess tissue microstructure.
- Review of studies correlating imaging findings with neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes.
Main Results:
- fMRI reveals altered regional brain activity patterns.
- dMRI provides quantitative insights into white matter integrity.
- These techniques identify neurobiological correlates of long-term sequelae.
Conclusions:
- Novel MRI techniques offer valuable tools for understanding preterm-related neurodevelopmental issues.
- Identifying neurobiological underpinnings can inform targeted interventions and improve life course outcomes.
Abstract:
Very preterm birth (<32 weeks of gestation) has been associated with lifelong difficulties in a variety of neurocognitive functions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with advanced analytical approaches have been employed in order to increase our understanding of the neurodevelopmental problems that many very preterm born individuals face as they grow up. In this review, we will focus on two novel imaging techniques that have explored relationships between specific brain mechanisms and behavioural outcomes. These are functional MRI, which maps regional, time-varying changes in brain metabolism and diffusion-weighted MRI, which measures the displacement of water molecules in tissue and provides quantitative information about tissue microstructure. Identifying the neurobiological underpinning of the long-term sequelae associated with very preterm birth could inform the development and implementation of preventative interventions (before any cognitive problem emerges) and could facilitate the identification of behavioural targets for improving the life course outcomes of very preterm individuals.
