Preterm birth differentially impacts structural and functional connectivity of cortical gyri and sulci

Preterm birth disrupts the gyrification process during the third trimester of pregnancy. Meanwhile, accumulating studies have highlighted the significant structural and functional differences between the folding patterns of cortical gyri and sulci, suggesting that they may play distinct roles in brain function. This study aimed to explore how preterm birth influences the structural and functional patterns of gyral and sulcal regions. Using a Developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP) open dataset including both full-term and preterm neonates (207 subjects), we parcellated each brain region into gyri and sulci based on the vertex curvature values. Structural connectivity was assessed via diffusion MRI (dMRI) images, and functional differences via fMRI BOLD signals using synchronization measures, nodal degree, and network-based statistics (NBS). Findings revealed that preterm birth reduces structural connectivity between gyri and lowers the ratio of intra-gyri/gyri-sulci connections. This ratio was significantly associated with gestational age, birth weight, and global synchronization. NBS analysis revealed a cluster of hypo-connections, mostly gyri-to-sulci connections. Overall, results suggest that preterm birth affects gyri and sulci differently, potentially disrupting their distinct functional roles, and offering new insights into prematurity's impact on brain function.