Dataset Information

White matter microstructure on diffusion tensor imaging is associated with conventional magnetic resonance imaging findings and cognitive function in adolescents born preterm.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to evaluate white matter architecture after preterm birth. The goals were (1) to compare white matter microstructure in two cohorts of preterm- and term-born children; and (2) within preterm groups, to determine if sex, gestational age, birthweight, white matter injury score from conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or IQ was associated with DTI measures.

Method

Participants (n=121; 66 females, 55 males) were aged 9 to 16 years. They comprised 58 preterm children (site 1, n=25; and site 2, n=33) born at less than 36 weeks' gestation (mean 29.4 wks; birthweight 1289g) and 63 term children (site 1, n=40; site 2, n=23) born at more than 37 weeks' gestation. DTI was analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics. Diffusion measures were fractional anisotropy, axial, radial, and mean diffusivity.

Results

In no region of the white matter skeleton was fractional anisotropy lower in the preterm group at either site. Within the preterm groups, fractional anisotropy was significantly associated with white matter injury score, but not sex, gestational age, or birthweight. At site 1, fractional anisotropy was associated with IQ.

Interpretation

DTI contributes to understanding individual differences after preterm birth but may not differentiate a relatively high-functioning group of preterm children from a matched group of term-born children.

SUBMITTER: Feldman HM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3683593 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

White matter microstructure on diffusion tensor imaging is associated with conventional magnetic resonance imaging findings and cognitive function in adolescents born preterm.

Feldman Heidi M HM Lee Eliana S ES Loe Irene M IM Yeom Kristen W KW Grill-Spector Kalanit K Luna Beatriz B

Developmental medicine and child neurology 20120716 9

<h4>Aim</h4>Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to evaluate white matter architecture after preterm birth. The goals were (1) to compare white matter microstructure in two cohorts of preterm- and term-born children; and (2) within preterm groups, to determine if sex, gestational age, birthweight, white matter injury score from conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or IQ was associated with DTI measures.<h4>Method</h4>Participants (n=121; 66 females, 55 males) were aged 9 to 16 years ...[more]

PMID: 22803787

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Project description:Very preterm birth is associated with altered white matter microstructure and language difficulties, which may compromise communication, social function and academic achievement, but the relationship between these two factors is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore associations between white matter microstructure and language domains of semantics, grammar and phonological awareness at 7-years of age on a whole-brain level and within the arcuate fasciculus, an important language pathway, in very preterm and term-born children. Language was assessed in 145 very preterm-born (<30?weeks' gestation and/or <1250?g birth weight) and 33 term-born children aged 7?years. Fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), mean diffusivity (MD), axon orientation dispersion and axon density were estimated from diffusion magnetic resonance images also obtained at 7?years. The correlation between diffusion values and language was assessed using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS). The arcuate fasciculus was delineated using constrained spherical deconvolution tractography and diffusion parameters from this tract were related to language measures using linear regression. While there was evidence for widespread associations between white matter microstructure and language, there was little evidence of differences in these associations between very preterm and term-born groups. TBSS analyses revealed that higher FA and lower AD, RD, and MD in major fibre tracts, including those subserving language, were associated with better semantic, grammar and phonological awareness performance. Higher axon density in widespread fibre tracts was also associated with better semantic performance. The tractography analyses of the arcuate fasciculus showed some evidence for associations between white matter microstructure and language outcomes. White matter microstructural organisation in widespread fibre tracts, including language-relevant pathways, was associated with language performance in whole-brain and tract-based analyses. The associations were similar for very preterm and term-born groups, despite very preterm children performing more poorly across language domains.

Dataset Information

White matter microstructure on diffusion tensor imaging is associated with conventional magnetic resonance imaging findings and cognitive function in adolescents born preterm.

Aim

Method

Results

Interpretation

Publications

White matter microstructure on diffusion tensor imaging is associated with conventional magnetic resonance imaging findings and cognitive function in adolescents born preterm.

Similar Datasets

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