title: Diffusion Tensor Tractography of the Cerebellar Peduncles in Prematurely Born 7-Year-Old Children.
abstract: The objective of this study was to correlate neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm-born children and their perinatal clinical and imaging characteristics with diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of the three cerebellar peduncles at age 7. Included in this prospective longitudinal study were 140 preterm-born children (<30 weeks gestation) who underwent neurodevelopmental assessment (IQ, motor, language, working memory) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at age 7 years. White matter tracts in the superior, middle, and inferior cerebellar peduncles were delineated using regions of interest drawn on T2-weighted images and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps. Diffusion measures (mean diffusivity (MD) and FA) and tract volumes were calculated. Linear regression was used to assess relationships with outcome. The severity of white matter injury in the neonatal period was associated with lower FA in the right superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP) and lower tract volumes of both SCPs and middle cerebellar peduncles (MCPs). In the MCP, higher IQ was associated with lower MD in the whole group and higher FA in right-handed children. In the SCP, lower motor scores were associated with higher MD and higher language scores were associated with higher FA. These associations remained significant in multivariable models. This study adds to the body of literature detailing the importance of cerebellar involvement in cognitive function related to reciprocal connections with supratentorial structures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Soroka Medical Center, P.O. Box 151, 84101, Beer Sheva, Israel. eshany@bgu.ac.il.|Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. eshany@bgu.ac.il.
authors.forename: Eilon
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shany
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Terrie E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Inder
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goshen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Neil
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.|Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.|Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Smyser
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.|Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.|Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Lex W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.affiliation: Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.|Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Shimony
mesh_terms: D002531:Cerebellum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D002648:Child; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000523:psychology*; D007360:Intelligence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007802:Language; D007807:Language Tests; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Cerebellum; Magnetic resonance imaging; Neurodevelopmental outcome; Premature infants