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The Structural Connectome and Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms at 7 and 13 Years in Individuals Born Very

Courtney P Gilchrist1, Deanne K Thompson2, Claire E Kelly3

  • 1School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Biological Psychiatry. Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
|October 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children born very preterm (VP) show altered brain network integration linked to emotional and behavioral problems. This study reveals how brain connectivity differences in VP children impact internalizing and externalizing symptoms during development.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Children born very preterm (VP) face increased risks for emotional and behavioral issues compared to full-term (FT) children.
  • Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of these differences is crucial for early intervention and support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the neurobiological basis of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in individuals born very preterm (VP) and full-term (FT).
  • To apply a graph theory approach to analyze structural brain connectomes and their relationship with behavioral outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Combined structural and diffusion MRI data to create structural connectomes.
  • Calculated network integration and segregation measures at 7 and 13 years.
  • Assessed internalizing and externalizing symptoms using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and analyzed associations with network measures via linear regression.

Main Results:

  • Lower network integration correlated with higher internalizing symptoms in both VP and FT children at age 7.
  • At age 13, associations between network segregation and externalizing symptoms showed group differences, with stronger positive associations in the VP group.

Conclusions:

  • The structural connectome plays a significant role in the development of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in childhood and adolescence.
  • Findings offer insights into the neurobiological differences contributing to emotional and behavioral problems following preterm birth.
Abstract

Keywords:
AdolescenceChildhoodConnectivityMagnetic resonance imagingPremature birthPsychopathology

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