The motor and visual networks in preterm infants: An fMRI and DTI study.
Knowledge regarding the association between functional connectivity and white-matter (WM) maturation of motor and visual networks in preterm infants at term equivalent age (TEA) and their association with behavioral outcome is currently limited. Thirty-two preterm infants born <34 weeks gestational-age without major brain abnormalities were included in this study, underwent resting-state fMRI at TEA. Thirteen infants also underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Neurobehavioral assessments were performed at one and two years corrected age using the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales. Functional connectivity between homolog motor and visual regions were detected, which may reflect that a level of organization in these domains is present already at TEA. DTI parameters of WM tracts at TEA demonstrated spatial-temporal variability, with the splenium of the corpus-callosum (CC) found to be the most mature fiber bundle. Correlations between DTI parameters, functional connectivity and behavioral outcome were detected, yet did not show the same pattern of diffusivity changes in the different networks. Visual functional connectivity was negatively correlated with radial-diffusivity (RD) in the optic radiation, while motor functional connectivity was positively correlated with RD in the splenium. In addition, axial-diffusivity (AD) and RD in the genu and midbody of the CC were positively correlated with neurobehavioral outcome at one and 2 years of age. This study highlights the importance of understanding the spatial-temporal changes occurring during this sensitive period of development and the potential effect of extrauterine exposure on the microstructural changes as measured by DTI; their correlation with functional connectivity; and their long term relationship with neuro-behavioral development.
The Functional Brain Center, The Wohl Institute for Advanced Imaging, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
Maya
M
Weinstein
Department of Radiology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Liat
L
Ben-Sira
The Functional Brain Center, The Wohl Institute for Advanced Imaging, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Artzi
A
Moran
Department of Neonatology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Irit
I
Berger
Department of Neonatology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Ronella
R
Marom
Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
Ronny
R
Geva
Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare-Zedek Medical Centre, Jerusalem, Israel.
Varda
V
Gross-Tsur
Child Development Center, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Yael
Y
Leitner
The Functional Brain Center, The Wohl Institute for Advanced Imaging, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Israel. Electronic address: dafnab@tlvmc.gov.il.
Dafna
D
Ben Bashat
D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007223:Infant; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology
DTI; Functional connectivity; MRI; Preterm; Resting-state