title: Hippocampal gray matter reduction associates with memory deficits in adolescents with history of prematurity.
abstract: Using optimized voxel-based morphometry (VBM), we compared the relationship between hippocampal and thalamic gray matter loss and memory impairment in 22 adolescents with history of prematurity (HP) and 22 normal controls. We observed significant differences between groups in verbal learning and verbal recognition, but not in visual memory. VBM analysis showed significant left hippocampal and bilateral thalamic reductions in HP subjects. Using stereological methods, we also observed a reduction in hippocampal volume, with left posterior predominance. We found correlations between left hippocampal gray matter reductions (assessed by VBM) and verbal memory (learning and percentage of memory loss) in the premature group. The stereological analysis showed a correlation between verbal learning and the left posterior hippocampus. Our results suggest that left hippocampal tissue loss may be responsible for memory impairment and is probably related to the learning disabilities that HP subjects present during schooling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giménez
authors.forename: Carme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Junqué
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Narberhaus
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Caldú
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salgado-Pineda
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bargalló
authors.forename: Dolors
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Segarra
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Botet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology