title: Perinatal MRI diffusivity is related to early assessment of motor performance in preterm neonates.
abstract: Preterm neonates represent a high-risk population for abnormal neuropsychological development. But presently, an accurate method for identifying those at risk is not available. This study evaluated the association between the microstructural organization measured with Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in term-corrected preterm neonates and subsequent motor performance. Fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusion (AD), mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD) were determined in two regions of interest (ROIs) corresponding to the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) and cortico-spinal tract (CST). The Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales (GMDS) were longitudinally administered at 3, 6 and 15 months; and correlations between the metrics of diffusivity and the motor subscale of the GMDS were assessed using the Spearman correlation. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between the AD of PLIC of the left hemisphere and the 3-month GMDS Locomotor Subscale. These results suggested that AD is a valid indicator of the stage of maturation of the motor pathway in preterm neonates, but not of later motor outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy r.navarra@itab.unich.it.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Navarra
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sestieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salomone
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Mattei
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Romani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Domizio
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caulo
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016880:Anisotropy; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D000068079:Motor Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic
keywords: Axial diffusion; diffusion tensor imaging; fetal development; motor outcome; motor system; neurological development; neurological indicators; preterm neonates