title: Alterations in the relationship between hippocampal volume and episodic memory performance in preterm children.
abstract: This study examines the relationship between episodic memory and hippocampal volume (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] volumetry) in preterm children with uncomplicated neonatal courses (<34 weeks of gestation, birth weight <2,000 g) and controls (7-11 years). To examine episodic memory performance and retrieval processes, neuropsychological tests and a recognition experiment were used. Although preterm children showed reduced hippocampal volumes relative to controls by 12%, episodic memory accuracy was not reduced. However, only in controls hippocampal volume correlated with some measures of episodic memory. Together, behavioral and MRI results indicate a minor functional specificity of the hippocampus regarding episodic memory functions in preterm children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany. n.brunnemann@mx.uni-saarland.de
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brunnemann
authors.forename: Kerstin H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kipp
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gortner
authors.forename: Juliane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meng-Hentschel
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papanagiotou
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Reith
authors.forename: Mohammed G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Shamdeen
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests