title: Perinatal cortical growth and childhood neurocognitive abilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This observational cohort study addressed the hypothesis that after preterm delivery brain growth between 24 and 44 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) is related to global neurocognitive ability in later childhood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Growth rates for cerebral volume and cortical surface area were estimated in 82 infants without focal brain lesions born before 30 weeks PMA by using 217 magnetic resonance images obtained between 24 and 44 weeks PMA. Abilities were assessed at 2 years using the Griffiths Mental Development Scale and at 6 years using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R), the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment (NEPSY), and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). Analysis was by generalized least-squares regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean test scores approximated population averages. Cortical growth was directly related to the Griffiths Developmental Quotient (DQ), the WPPSI-R full-scale IQ, and a NEPSY summary score but not the MABC score and in exploration of subtests to attention, planning, memory, language, and numeric and conceptual abilities but not motor skills. The mean (95% confidence interval) estimated reduction in cortical surface area at term corrected age associated with a 1 SD fall in test score was as follows: DQ 7.0 (5.8-8.5); IQ 6.0 (4.9-7.3); and NEPSY 9.1 (7.5-11.0) % · SD(-1). Total brain volume growth was not correlated with any test score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of cerebral cortical growth between 24 and 44 weeks PMA predicts global ability in later childhood, particularly complex cognitive functions but not motor functions.
authors: Centre for the Developing Brain, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Rathbone
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Counsell
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Kapellou
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Dyet
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Kennea
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Hajnal
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Allsop
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Cowan
authors: A D
authors: AD
authors: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*