title: Diffusion tensor imaging and behavior in premature infants at 8 years of age, a randomized controlled trial with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Very low birth weight (VLBW, birth weight<1500 g) children have increased risk of behavioral problems. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the brain shows reduced white matter maturation. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are hypothesized to improve both myelination and behavioral outcome.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test the hypothesis that postnatal supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) to very low birth weight infants would influence cerebral white matter measured by DTI and improve behavioral outcome at 8 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight-year follow-up of a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of postnatal supplementation with DHA and AA to 129 VLBW infants fed human milk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-eight children (76%) met for follow-up at 8 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cerebral white matter measured by DTI. Behavioral outcome measured by Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire and selected scales from the Child Behavior Checklist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences between the intervention group and the control group were found on white matter microstructure or behavioral data. A non-significant finding of higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in a cluster in the corpus callosum of the intervention group is discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study is the first long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial with DHA and AA to human milk fed VLBW infants exploring cerebral white matter microstructure measured by DTI and parent-reported behavioral problems. No effects on white matter microstructure or behavioral outcome were observed at 8 years of age.
authors.affiliation: Akershus University Hospital and Faculty Division AHUS, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Nordbyhagen, Norway; Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: astrid.almaas@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Astrid Nylander
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Almaas
authors.affiliation: Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: c.k.tamnes@psykologi.uio.no.
authors.forename: Christian K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Tamnes
authors.affiliation: Akershus University Hospital and Faculty Division AHUS, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Nordbyhagen, Norway. Electronic address: britt.nakstad@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Britt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nakstad
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: christine.henriksen@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Henriksen
authors.affiliation: Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: hakon.grydeland@psykologi.uio.no.
authors.forename: Håkon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grydeland
authors.affiliation: Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: k.b.walhovd@psykologi.uio.no.
authors.forename: Kristine B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Walhovd
authors.affiliation: Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: a.m.fjell@psykologi.uio.no.
authors.forename: Anders M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fjell
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: poiversen@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Per Ole
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Iversen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: c.a.drevon@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Christian A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Drevon
mesh_terms: D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D066127:White Matter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid
keywords: Behavioral outcome; Brain development; Diffusion tensor imaging; Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; Premature children; White matter maturation