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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

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Differential microstructural development within sensorimotor cortical regions: A diffusion MRI study in preterm and

Alexandra Brandstaetter¹, Andrea Gondová², Laurie Devisscher¹

¹Université Paris Cité, Inserm, NeuroDiderot, Paris F-75019, France; Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, NeuroSpin, UNIACT, Gif-sur-Yvette F-91191, France.

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

|September 4, 2025

Summary

Early brain development shows distinct sensorimotor regions even before birth. Preterm infants exhibit microstructural differences, with motor areas being more mature and less vulnerable than sensory areas.

Keywords:

Maturation Pre-central and post-central gyrus Prematurity Somatotopic maps Vulnerability

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Neuroscience
Brain Imaging

Background:

The sensorimotor system's development is crucial for perception and action.
Early in utero, somatotopic maps form in primary somatosensory and motor cortices.
Limited knowledge exists on the anatomical basis of this functional specialization in the developing brain.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the microstructural properties of sensorimotor regions in the developing brain.
To understand the anatomical substrates of early sensorimotor functional specialization.
To assess the impact of preterm birth on sensorimotor cortical development.

Main Methods:

Utilized advanced diffusion MRI and post-processing techniques.
Parcellated pre- and post-central gyri into microstructurally distinct clusters in neonates.
Applied multivariate Mahalanobis distance to quantify deviations in preterm infants compared to full-term controls.

Main Results:

Confirmed early microstructural differentiation within sensorimotor regions in full-term neonates.
Preterm infants showed significant region- and position-specific microstructural deviations, which were reduced at term-equivalent age.
Motor regions demonstrated greater maturity and less vulnerability to prematurity compared to somatosensory regions, particularly near birth.

Conclusions:

Early sensorimotor cortical specialization emerges microstructurally during gestation.
Preterm birth significantly impacts sensorimotor cortical microstructure in a region- and position-specific manner.
Findings suggest differential vulnerability of sensorimotor areas to the atypical developmental context of preterm birth.