Transient structural MRI patterns correlate with the motor functions in preterm infants
Ana Katušić1, Iris Žunić Išasegi1, Milan Radoš1
1Scientific Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Croatia.
Insights
Transient brain MRI patterns in preterm infants predict later motor development and general movements quality. Sagittal strata visibility on preterm MRI is linked to better neuromotor outcomes at 1 year.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Preterm birth poses risks to neurodevelopment.
- Early identification of neurodevelopmental trajectories is crucial.
- Transient structural brain patterns are emerging biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive value of transient brain MRI patterns in very preterm infants.
- To correlate preterm and term-equivalent age MRI findings with general movements (GMs) and motor development.
- To explore the relationship between sagittal strata visibility and neuromotor outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 30 very preterm infants.
- Structural MRI at preterm and term-equivalent age (TEA).
- Neuromotor assessments including Prechtl's general movements assessment, motor optimality score (MOS), and Infant Motor Profile (IMP) at 1-year corrected age (CA).
Main Results:
- Poor visibility of sagittal strata on preterm MRI was associated with abnormal general movements (GMs).
- Reduced sagittal strata visibility correlated with lower motor performance at 1-year corrected age (CA).
- Abnormal GMs and motor deficits at 1 year were linked to poor visibility of this transient structural pattern.
Conclusions:
- Transient structural MRI patterns, specifically sagittal strata, observed preterm are associated with general movements quality and later motor development in preterm infants.
- Sagittal strata may represent a key component of the neurobiological basis for early neuromotor behavior.
- These findings highlight the potential of early MRI for predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants.
Aim:
To explore the relationships between transient structural brain patterns on MRI at preterm and at term-equivalent age (TEA) as a predictor of general movements (GMs) and motor development at 1-year corrected age (CA) in very preterm infants.
Methods:
In this prospective study, 30 very preterm infants (median = 28wks; 16 males) had structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at preterm (median = 31wks + 6d) and at TEA (median = 40wks) and neuromotor assessments. The quality of GMs was assessed by Prechtl's general movements assessment and a detailed analysis of the motor repertoire was performed by calculating a motor optimality score (MOS), both at term age and at 3 months post-term. Motor development at 1-year CA was evaluated with the Infant Motor Profile (IMP). Associations between qualitative MRI findings and neuromotor scores were investigated.
Results:
Abnormal GMs and low motor performance at 1-year CA were associated with the poor visibility of transient structural pattern, that is with sagittal strata.
Interpretation:
Transient structural MRI pattern, sagittal strata, at preterm age is related to the quality of GMs and later motor development in preterm infants. This transient fetal brain compartment may be considered as a component of neurobiological basis for early neuromotor behavior, as expressed by GMs.
