Alterations in Anatomical Covariance in the Prematurely Born.
Preterm (PT) birth results in long-term alterations in functional and structural connectivity, but the related changes in anatomical covariance are just beginning to be explored. To test the hypothesis that PT birth alters patterns of anatomical covariance, we investigated brain volumes of 25 PTs and 22 terms at young adulthood using magnetic resonance imaging. Using regional volumetrics, seed-based analyses, and whole brain graphs, we show that PT birth is associated with reduced volume in bilateral temporal and inferior frontal lobes, left caudate, left fusiform, and posterior cingulate for prematurely born subjects at young adulthood. Seed-based analyses demonstrate altered patterns of anatomical covariance for PTs compared with terms. PTs exhibit reduced covariance with R Brodmann area (BA) 47, Broca's area, and L BA 21, Wernicke's area, and white matter volume in the left prefrontal lobe, but increased covariance with R BA 47 and left cerebellum. Graph theory analyses demonstrate that measures of network complexity are significantly less robust in PTs compared with term controls. Volumes in regions showing group differences are significantly correlated with phonological awareness, the fundamental basis for reading acquisition, for the PTs. These data suggest both long-lasting and clinically significant alterations in the covariance in the PTs at young adulthood.
Department of Diagnostic Radiology.|Magnetic Resonance Research Center, New Haven, CT 06520-8043, USA.
Dustin
D
Scheinost
Department of Pediatrics.
Soo Hyun
SH
Kwon
Department of Diagnostic Radiology.
Cheryl
C
Lacadie
Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA.
Betty R
BR
Vohr
Department of Pediatrics.
Karen C
KC
Schneider
Department of Diagnostic Radiology.|Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Xenophon
X
Papademetris
Department of Diagnostic Radiology.|Department of Neurosurgery.
R Todd
RT
Constable
Department of Pediatrics.|Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
Laura R
LR
Ment
D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
anatomical covariance; connectivity; preterm; structural covariance; young adulthood