title: Neonatal neural networks predict children behavioral profiles later in life.
abstract: This study aimed to examine heterogeneity of neonatal brain network and its prediction to child behaviors at 24 and 48 months of age. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography was employed to construct brain anatomical network for 120 neonates. Clustering coefficients of individual structures were computed and used to classify neonates with similar brain anatomical networks into one group. Internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems were assessed using maternal reports of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) at 24 and 48 months of age. The profile of CBCL externalizing and internalizing behaviors was then examined in the groups identified based on the neonatal brain network. Finally, support vector machine and canonical correlation analysis were used to identify brain structures whose clustering coefficients together significantly contribute the variation of the behaviors at 24 and 48 months of age. Four meaningful groups were revealed based on the brain anatomical networks at birth. Moreover, the clustering coefficients of the brain regions that most contributed to this grouping of neonates were significantly associated with childhood internalizing and externalizing behaviors assessed at 24 and 48 months of age. Specially, the clustering coefficient of the right amygdala was associated with both internalizing and externalizing behaviors at 24 months of age, while the clustering coefficients of the right inferior frontal cortex and insula were associated with externalizing behaviors at 48 months of age. Our findings suggested that neural organization established during fetal development could to some extent predict individual differences in behavioral-emotional problems in early childhood. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1362-1373, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering and Clinical Imaging Research Center, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Chong-Yaw
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering and Clinical Imaging Research Center, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Ta Anh
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Tuan
authors.affiliation: Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore.|Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors.forename: Birit F P
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Broekman
authors.affiliation: Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore.
authors.forename: Min Yee
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.affiliation: Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore.|Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors.forename: Yap-Seng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.affiliation: KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kwek
authors.affiliation: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors.forename: Lynette Pei-Chi
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.affiliation: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Seang-Mei
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Saw
authors.affiliation: Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore.
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Gluckman
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore (KKH).
authors.forename: Marielle V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Fortier
authors.affiliation: Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore.|Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.|Sackler Program for Epigenetics & Psychobiology at McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Meaney
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering and Clinical Imaging Research Center, National University of Singapore, Singapore.|Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore.
authors.forename: Anqi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D060388:Support Vector Machine
keywords: anatomical networks; diffusion tensor imaging; externalizing behavior; internalizing behavior; neonatal brain