title: White matter integrity and cognitive performance in school-age children: A population-based neuroimaging study.
abstract: Child and adolescent brain development are typically accompanied by marked improvements in a wide range of cognitive abilities. However, limited information is available surrounding the role of white matter in shaping cognitive abilities in children. The current study examined associations between white matter microstructure and cognitive performance in a large sample (n=778) of 6- to 10-year-old children. Results show white matter microstructure is related to non-verbal intelligence and to visuospatial ability, independent of age. Specificity was demonstrated, as white matter associations with visuospatial ability were independent of general intellectual ability. Associations between white matter integrity and cognition were similar in boys and girls. In summary, results demonstrate white matter structure-function associations are present in children, independent of age and broader cognitive abilities. The presence of such associations in the general population is informative for studies examining child psychopathology.
authors.affiliation: The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ryan L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Muetzel
authors.affiliation: The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sabine E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mous
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Ende
authors.affiliation: The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Laura M E
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Blanken
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Aad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Lugt
authors.affiliation: The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Vincent W V
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Jaddoe
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frank C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Verhulst
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tiemeier
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: t.white@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Tonya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D059906:Neuroimaging; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D066127:White Matter / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
keywords: Brain development; Diffusion tensor imaging; MRI; Neuropsychological performance; Population-based imaging