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Altered neurobehavioral white matter integrity in preterm children: A confounding-controlled analysis using the
Hailong Li1, Yuwen Hung2, Junqi Wang3
1Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Children born preterm show altered brain white matter integrity, impacting attention and processing speed. These findings highlight the need for early neuro-rehabilitation interventions to support healthy development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Premature birth is linked to atypical brain development and neurodevelopmental issues.
- Limited understanding exists on outcomes unconfounded by medical complications.
- This study investigates neural and behavioral outcomes in children born preterm without medical complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify unconfounded neurobehavioral biomarkers for childhood vulnerability after premature birth.
- Examine neural and behavioral outcomes in non-medically complex preterm children.
- Inform interventions to mitigate adverse outcomes in preterm populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study dataset.
- Employed a case-control design with rigorous confounding control.
- Included 612 children (9-11 years): 306 preterm and 306 full-term, matched for key demographics.
- Assessed neurocognitive outcomes and brain connectome integrity using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
Main Results:
- Significant differences in microstructural and axonal integrity of frontal-limbic tracts between preterm and full-term children.
- Altered structural connectivity in the anterior thalamic radiation was observed in preterm children.
- A modified brain-behavioral regulatory relationship was found concerning attention and processing speed tasks.
Conclusions:
- Identified unconfounded neurobehavioral risk biomarkers associated with premature birth.
- Preterm children exhibit reduced white matter integrity in the frontal-limbic connectome.
- Diminished adaptability in attention and processing speed increases neurodevelopmental risk, necessitating targeted interventions.
