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Multiparametric Analysis of Cerebral Development in Preterm Infants Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Marine Dubois1,2, Antoine Legouhy2, Isabelle Corouge2
1Radiology Department, CHU Rennes, Hôpital Sud, Rennes, France.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Multiparametric MRI reveals distinct brain imaging markers in extremely preterm infants compared to very preterm infants. Clinical complications like white matter lesions are linked to reduced cerebral blood flow in preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neonatal Medicine
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Neurocognitive impairment severity correlates with prematurity.
- Mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers differentiating degrees of prematurity.
- Evaluate the impact of clinical complications on these MRI markers.
Main Methods:
- Prospective enrollment of preterm infants (<28 weeks GA and 28-32 weeks GA).
- Multiparametric brain MRI at term-equivalent age (morphological, DTI, ASL perfusion).
- Quantification of volumes, diffusion parameters, and cerebral blood flow (CBF); comparison between groups and assessment of clinical factors.
Main Results:
- Extremely preterm infants showed higher frontal relative volumes and regional CBF, but lower brainstem and insular relative volumes than very preterm infants.
- Preterm infants with white matter lesions had significantly lower overall gray matter CBF.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative MRI parameters at term-equivalent age reflect brain maturation differences based on prematurity.
- MRI markers can distinguish between degrees of prematurity and are influenced by clinical complications.
