Four-dimensional mapping of dynamic longitudinal brain subcortical development and early learning functions in
Liangjun Chen1, Ya Wang1, Zhengwang Wu1
1Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
Nature Communications
|June 22, 2023
Summary
Infant brain development shows rapid, nonlinear growth in subcortical structures, with specific patterns linked to early learning milestones like language and motor skills.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pediatric Imaging
Background:
- Subcortical brain structures are critical for cognitive functions.
- Aberrations in early development are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Understanding normative growth is essential for identifying developmental trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the volumetric development and surface area expansion of six subcortical structures in infants.
- To examine the associations between early subcortical growth and cognitive development using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning.
- To characterize normative developmental patterns within the first two postnatal years.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 513 high-resolution longitudinal MRI scans from infants within the first two postnatal years.
- Analyzed volumetric development and surface area expansion of key subcortical structures.
- Correlated neuroimaging findings with Mullen Scales of Early Learning scores.
Main Results:
- Most subcortical structures exhibit rapid, nonlinear volumetric growth post-birth, slowing at specific ages with bilateral symmetry.
- Subcortical surface area expansion displays heterogeneous patterns across structures and time.
- Positive correlations were found between the thalamus and language skills, and the caudate/putamen and fine motor skills.
Conclusions:
- This study provides novel insights into the dynamic and structure-specific developmental trajectories of infant subcortical structures.
- Early subcortical growth patterns are associated with foundational cognitive abilities, including language and motor development.
- Characterizing these normative patterns is crucial for early detection of neurodevelopmental deviations.
