White matter abnormalities and executive function in children  with very low birth weight.
The aim of this study was to investigate any structural-functional relationship between changes in white matter microstructure seen on diffusion tensor imaging and results of an executive function test in adolescents with very low birth weight (VLBW). Thirty-four VLBW adolescents were examined at 15 years of age. Executive function was assessed by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Diffusion tensor imaging scans were performed at 1.5 T for calculation of individual fractional anisotropy maps. Through a voxel-wise regression analysis, correlations were found between the results on Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and fractional anisotropy values in the left cingulum and both inferior fronto-occipital fascicles. We speculate that impairments in executive function in VLBW children may be influenced by disturbed connectivity between posterior brain regions and the prefrontal cortex.
Skranes
Jon
J
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children and Women's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. jon.skranes@ntnu.no
Lohaugen
Gro C
GC
Martinussen
Marit
M
Indredavik
Marit S
MS
Dale
Anders M
AM
Haraldseth
Olav
O
Vangberg
Torgil R
TR
Brubakk
Ann-Mari
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D016880:Anisotropy; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology*; D009421:Nervous System Malformations / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012044:Regression Analysis