Development of brain white matter and math computation ability in children born very preterm and full-term

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Children born very preterm (VPT) exhibit altered brain white matter and reduced math abilities compared to full-term (FT) peers.
• Existing research suggests a link between white matter microstructure and mathematical skills, but longitudinal studies with advanced modeling are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal associations between white matter maturation and math computation ability in very preterm and full-term children.
• To examine how changes in white matter microstructure over time relate to the development of math skills.

Main Methods:

• A prospective longitudinal cohort study involving very preterm (VPT) and full-term (FT) children.
• Utilized Fixel-Based Analysis (FBA) to assess white matter fibre density (FD), fibre-bundle cross-section (FC), and combined metrics (FDC).
• Evaluated math computation ability at ages 7 and 13, and analyzed changes between these ages.

Main Results:

• Higher white matter maturation (FD, FC, FDC) in visual, sensorimotor, and cortico-thalamic/thalamo-cortical tracts was associated with better math computation at both 7 and 13 years.
• Accelerated maturation of the posterior body of the corpus callosum (FDC) longitudinally predicted greater math computation development.
• The associations between white matter maturation and math ability were consistent across both VPT and FT children.

Conclusions:

• White matter maturation is a significant factor associated with math computation ability throughout late childhood and adolescence.
• These associations are independent of birth status (very preterm vs. full-term).
• Findings highlight the crucial role of white matter development in mathematical proficiency, regardless of preterm birth.