Altered Spontaneous Brain Activity in Left-Behind Children: A Resting-State Functional MRI Study
1Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Frontiers in Neurology
|April 15, 2022
Summary
Parental migration impacts left-behind children (LBC) brain activity, affecting cognition and behavior. Intellectual and emotional care are crucial for LBC development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
Background:
- Parental migration is linked to cognitive and behavioral issues in left-behind children (LBC).
- Understanding the neural mechanisms behind these abnormalities in LBC is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate spontaneous brain activity patterns in LBC.
- To identify the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive and behavioral deficits in LBC.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) was used to assess spontaneous brain activity (ALFF and fALFF) in LBC and non-LBC.
- Cognitive and behavioral assessments were performed on all participants.
- Partial correlation analysis examined relationships between brain activity, cognitive/behavioral outcomes, and family environment.
Main Results:
- LBC showed altered brain activity, including increased ALFF in the right lingual gyrus and decreased ALFF in the insula and middle frontal gyrus.
- LBC also exhibited altered fALFF in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and superior temporal gyrus.
- Abnormal brain activity correlated with learning ability, IQ, and caregiver education levels.
Conclusions:
- Lack of direct parental care affects brain development in LBC, impacting cognition, behavior, and emotion.
- Intellectual and emotional support are vital for the healthy development of left-behind children.
