Article

AIM: To investigate the association between white matter organization in the
neonatal brain and cognitive capacities at early school age in children born very
preterm. METHOD: Thirty children born very preterm (gestational age median
27.5wks, interquartile range [IQR] 25.5-29.5 ; 18 males, 12 females) were included
in this retrospective observational cohort study. Diffusion-weighted imaging
(DWI) had been performed on a 3T system in the neonatal period (median 41.3 [IQR
40.0-42.6]wks) and cognitive functioning was formally assessed at age 5 years and
7 months (IQR 5.4-5.9y) using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of
Intelligence. Structural connectivity maps were reconstructed from the DWI data
using deterministic streamline tractography. Network metrics of global and local
communication and mean fractional anisotropy of white matter pathways were
related to IQ and processing speed at age 5 years using linear regression
analyses. RESULTS: Mean fractional anisotropy was significantly related to
Performance IQ at age 5 years (F=8.48, p=0.007).
Findings persisted after
adjustment for maternal education level. INTERPRETATION:
Our findings provide
evidence that the blueprint of later cognitive achievement is already present at
term-equivalent age and suggest that white matter connectivity strength may be a
valuable predictor for long-term cognitive functioning.
CI - (c) 2017 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS