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Published on: August 11, 2016
White matter microstructure and its association with visuospatial processing development during early infancy
Narmin Javadova1, Marissa Ann DiPiero2,3, Christy D Yoon2
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
Insights
Infant white matter microstructure, measured by diffusion MRI, is linked to later visuospatial processing skills. Early brain development, particularly in the cerebellum and cingulate gyrus, influences these abilities.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Radiology
Background:
- White matter microstructure development in infancy is crucial for cognitive functions.
- Visuospatial processing abilities emerge in early childhood and are vital for various tasks.
- Understanding the early neural correlates of visuospatial skills can inform developmental trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between white matter microstructure in one-month-old infants and their visuospatial processing abilities at six months.
- To identify specific white matter tracts associated with early visuospatial development.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion MRI was used to assess white matter microstructure in 91 infants at one month of age.
- Behavioral assessments were conducted at six months of age to measure visuospatial processing.
- Statistical analyses, including adjustments for multiple comparisons, were performed to identify significant correlations.
Main Results:
- Fractional anisotropy (FA) in the superior cerebellar peduncle and cingulate gyrus correlated with toy play intensity.
- Mean diffusivity and axial diffusivity in the superior cerebellar peduncle were associated with gaze shifting.
- No significant correlations were found with biological sex after adjustments.
Conclusions:
- Developing white matter microstructure, assessed via diffusion MRI metrics, plays a significant role in the development of visuospatial processing.
- These findings highlight the importance of early brain structure for emerging cognitive abilities.
- Further research is warranted to explore the long-term predictive value of these relationships for visuospatial ability and working memory.
Abstract:
This study assessed relations between white matter microstructure at one month of age and visuospatial processing abilities at six months of age. Participants included ninety-one infants (n = 48 female) born after singleton non-complicated pregnancy. The infants underwent MRI at one month of age and a behavioral assessment at six months of age. Results revealed that the intensity of toy play was associated with fractional anisotropy (FA) of the right (t = 3.002, adjusted p = 0.038) and left superior cerebellar peduncle (t = 2.799, adjusted p = 0.038) and right cingulate gyrus (t = 2.908, adjusted p = 0.0038) while Gaze Shifting was associated with mean diffusivity and axial diffusivity of the right superior cerebellar peduncle (t = 3.099, adjusted p = 0.048). No other correlations, including those studied interactions with biological sex, were significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons. The findings support the notion that developing white matter microstructure, as measured by diffusion MRI metrics, plays a role in the development of visuospatial processing. Future studies should explore how these relationships develop and predict visuospatial ability and working memory later in life.
