Preterm birth associated alterations in brain structure, cognitive functioning and behavior in children from the ABCD...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Preterm birth poses global health challenges with inconsistent findings on long-term developmental impairments.
• Understanding adverse outcomes of prematurity is crucial for early intervention and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate brain structure, cognitive function, and mental health in preterm children compared to controls.
• To explore associations between prematurity, brain development, and cognitive/behavioral outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.
• Compared 1706 preterm children with 1865 matched controls using MRI, cognitive tests, and mental health assessments.

Main Results:

• Preterm children exhibited higher psychopathological risk and lower cognitive scores.
• Structural MRI revealed altered cortical thickness, regional brain volumes, and white matter tract integrity in preterm individuals.
• Gestational age and birth weight correlated with ADHD symptoms, cognitive scores, and brain structure in key regions.

Conclusions:

• Preterm birth is associated with significant alterations in brain structure and function.
• A complex interplay exists between psychopathological risk, cognitive deficits, and neuroanatomical changes in preterm children.
• Findings highlight the impact on brain regions critical for cognition and emotional well-being.