Functional Connectivity-Derived Optimal Gestational-Age Cut Points for Fetal Brain Network Maturity
Josepheen De Asis-Cruz1, Scott Douglas Barnett1, Jung-Hoon Kim1
1Developing Brain Institute, Children's National, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Brain Sciences
|August 6, 2021
Summary
Brain network development in fetuses shows significant changes around 30-31 weeks of gestational age (GA). This period marks a critical transition in brain connectivity, impacting network topology and function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Human brain connectome architecture evolves significantly during development.
- Identifying critical developmental periods for network topology transitions is crucial for understanding brain maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define optimal gestational age (GA) cut points for categorizing fetal brain development.
- To investigate changes in global network features during fetal development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 110 resting-state functional connectivity datasets from fetuses (19-40 weeks GA).
- Computed graph theory metrics (small-world index, clustering, path length, efficiency, modularity) from 200-region connectivity matrices.
- Employed generalized estimating equations and quasi-likelihood independence criterion to determine optimal GA cut points.
Main Results:
- Optimal cut points for network transitions were identified between 30-31 weeks GA for most metrics.
- Trends for most network metrics, except global efficiency, decreased with increasing gestational age.
- This transition period coincides with a shift from endogenous to sensory-driven cortical activity.
Conclusions:
- The 30-31 week GA period represents a key transition in fetal brain network organization.
- Changes in network topology during this period reflect significant developmental shifts in brain function.
