Microstructural and Functional Connectivity in the Developing Preterm Brain

• Published in: Seminars in perinatology Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 34 - 43
• Main Authors: Lubsen, Julia, Vohr, Betty, Myers, Eliza, Hampson, Michelle, Lacadie, Cheryl, Schneider, Karen C., Katz, Karol H., Constable, R. Todd, Ment, Laura R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.2011
• Subjects: Brain - growth & development; Brain - pathology; Brain - physiopathology; Brain Diseases - pathology; Brain Diseases - physiopathology; Cognition Disorders - pathology; Cognition Disorders - physiopathology; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; diffusion tensor imaging; Electrophysiological Phenomena - physiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; functional connectivity; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature - growth & development; Interneurons - physiology; intrinsic connectivity; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Oligodendroglia - physiology; premature; Premature Birth - pathology; Premature Birth - physiopathology; Risk Factors; diffusion tensor imaging; magnetic resonance imaging; premature; functional connectivity; intrinsic connectivity
• ISSN: 0146-0005; 1558-075X; 1558-075X
• DOI: 10.1053/j.semperi.2010.10.006

Prematurely born children are at increased risk for cognitive deficits, but the neurobiological basis of these findings remains poorly understood. Because variations in neural circuitry may influence performance on cognitive tasks, recent investigations have explored the impact of preterm birth on connectivity in the developing brain. Diffusion tensor imaging studies demonstrate widespread alterations in fractional anisotropy, a measure of axonal integrity and microstructural connectivity, throughout the developing preterm brain. Functional connectivity studies report that preterm neonates, children and adolescents exhibit alterations in both resting state and task-based connectivity when compared with term control subjects. Taken together, these data suggest that neurodevelopmental impairment following preterm birth may represent a disease of neural connectivity.