Diffusion tensor MRI of the corpus callosum and cognitive function in adults born preterm.
Very preterm birth (before 33 weeks gestation) is associated with the white matter damage, and a common sequel is reduced size and altered shape of the corpus callosum. We used diffusion tensor MRI to assess the corpus callosum in 63 very preterm and 45 term-born young adults. Indices of white matter microstructure [fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD)] were obtained for the genu, body and splenium. Very preterm females had higher MD in the genu than term-born females, indicating altered white matter microstructure. This was associated with lower performance IQ. The groups demonstrated different patterns of correlations between verbal learning and tract-specific FA and MD, consistent with the reorganization of white matter structure in adults born very preterm.
Kontis
Dimitris
D
Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK.
Catani
Marco
M
Cuddy
Marion
M
Walshe
Muriel
M
Nosarti
Chiara
C
Jones
Derek
D
Wyatt
John
J
Rifkin
Larry
L
Murray
Robin
R
Allin
Matthew
M
D000293:Adolescent; D016880:Anisotropy; D003071:Cognition; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult