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Diffuse white matter abnormality in very preterm infants at term reflects reduced brain network efficiency
Julia E Kline1, Venkata Sita Priyanka Illapani1, Hailong Li1
1Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
Neuroimage. Clinical
|July 8, 2021
Summary
Diffuse white matter abnormality (DWMA) in very preterm infants is linked to reduced brain network efficiency. This finding suggests DWMA is pathological and may impact infant development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Very preterm infants often show diffuse white matter abnormality (DWMA) on MRI.
- The precise relationship between DWMA and brain network function is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the extent of DWMA and brain network efficiency in very preterm infants.
- To determine if DWMA impacts global and local brain network organization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized MRI scans from 343 very preterm infants at term-equivalent age.
- Quantified DWMA volume using a semi-automated algorithm.
- Calculated graph theory metrics (global efficiency, local efficiency, clustering coefficient) from diffusion-weighted structural connectomes.
Main Results:
- Increased DWMA volume correlated with decreased global brain network efficiency.
- Higher DWMA volumes were associated with reduced local efficiency and clustering coefficients in critical brain regions.
- These regions support cognitive, linguistic, and motor functions.
Conclusions:
- Diffuse white matter abnormality is associated with widespread reductions in brain network efficiency in very preterm infants.
- These findings support the view that DWMA is a pathological condition.
- DWMA likely has significant adverse consequences for neurodevelopmental outcomes.
