Longitudinal Analysis of Neural Network Development in Preterm Infants

Overview

Journal Cereb Cortex

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Neurology

Date 2010 Mar 19

PMID 20237243

Citations 416

Authors

Christopher D Smyser

Terrie E Inder

Joshua S Shimony

Jason E Hill

Andrew J Degnan

Abraham Z Snyder

Jeffrey J Neil

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Application of resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI) to the study of prematurely born infants enables assessment of the earliest forms of cerebral connectivity and characterization of its early development in the human brain. We obtained 90 longitudinal fcMRI data sets from a cohort of preterm infants aged from 26 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) through term equivalent age at PMA-specific time points. Utilizing seed-based correlation analysis, we identified resting state networks involving varied cortical regions, the thalamus, and cerebellum. Identified networks demonstrated a regionally variable age-specific pattern of development, with more mature forms consisting of localized interhemispheric connections between homotopic counterparts. Anatomical distance was found to play a critical role in the rate of connection development. Prominent differences were noted between networks identified in term control versus premature infants at term equivalent, including in the thalamocortical connections critical for neurodevelopment. Putative precursors of the default mode network were detected in term control infants but were not identified in preterm infants, including those at term equivalent. Identified patterns of network maturation reflect the intricate relationship of structural and functional processes present throughout this important developmental period and are consistent with prior investigations of neurodevelopment in this population.

Citing Articles

Exploring functional connectivity in clinical and data-driven groups of preterm and term adults.

Hadaya L, Vasa F, Dimitrakopoulou K, Saqi M, Shergill S, Edwards A Brain Commun. 2025; 7(2):fcaf074.

PMID: 40066107 PMC: 11891483. DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaf074.

Movies reveal the fine-grained organization of infant visual cortex.

Ellis C, Yates T, Arcaro M, Turk-Browne N Elife. 2025; 12.

PMID: 40047799 PMC: 11884787. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.92119.

Longitudinal functional brain connectivity maturation in premature newborn infants: Modulatory influence of early music enrichment.

Van Der Veek A, Loukas S, Lordier L, de Almeida J, Filippa M, Lazeyras F Imaging Neurosci (Camb). 2025; 2:1-18.

PMID: 40041298 PMC: 11873764. DOI: 10.1162/imag_a_00373.

Early life brain network connectivity antecedents of executive function in children born preterm.

Derbie A, Altaye M, Wang J, Allahverdy A, He L, Tamm L Commun Biol. 2025; 8(1):345.

PMID: 40025105 PMC: 11873160. DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-07745-1.

A light in the darkness: Early phases of development and the emergence of cognition.

Cainelli E, Stramucci G, Bisiacchi P Dev Cogn Neurosci. 2025; 72:101527.

PMID: 39933251 PMC: 11869870. DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101527.

References

Dosenbach N, Fair D, Miezin F, Cohen A, Wenger K, Dosenbach R . Distinct brain networks for adaptive and stable task control in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007; 104(26):11073-8. PMC: 1904171. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0704320104. View

Huppi P, Warfield S, Kikinis R, Barnes P, Zientara G, Jolesz F . Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of brain development in premature and mature newborns. Ann Neurol. 1998; 43(2):224-35. DOI: 10.1002/ana.410430213. View

Fox M, Raichle M . Spontaneous fluctuations in brain activity observed with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2007; 8(9):700-11. DOI: 10.1038/nrn2201. View

Fransson P, Skiold B, Horsch S, Nordell A, Blennow M, Lagercrantz H . Resting-state networks in the infant brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007; 104(39):15531-6. PMC: 2000516. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0704380104. View

Bassi L, Ricci D, Volzone A, Allsop J, Srinivasan L, Pai A . Probabilistic diffusion tractography of the optic radiations and visual function in preterm infants at term equivalent age. Brain. 2008; 131(Pt 2):573-82. DOI: 10.1093/brain/awm327. View

Mathur A, Neil J, McKinstry R, Inder T . Transport, monitoring, and successful brain MR imaging in unsedated neonates. Pediatr Radiol. 2008; 38(3):260-4. DOI: 10.1007/s00247-007-0705-9. View

Fair D, Cohen A, Dosenbach N, Church J, Miezin F, Barch D . The maturing architecture of the brain's default network. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008; 105(10):4028-32. PMC: 2268790. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0800376105. View

Yu C, Liu Y, Li J, Zhou Y, Wang K, Tian L . Altered functional connectivity of primary visual cortex in early blindness. Hum Brain Mapp. 2007; 29(5):533-43. PMC: 6871175. DOI: 10.1002/hbm.20420. View

Cohen A, Fair D, Dosenbach N, Miezin F, Dierker D, Van Essen D . Defining functional areas in individual human brains using resting functional connectivity MRI. Neuroimage. 2008; 41(1):45-57. PMC: 2705206. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.01.066. View

10.

Long X, Zuo X, Kiviniemi V, Yang Y, Zou Q, Zhu C . Default mode network as revealed with multiple methods for resting-state functional MRI analysis. J Neurosci Methods. 2008; 171(2):349-55. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2008.03.021. View

11.

Greicius M, Kiviniemi V, Tervonen O, Vainionpaa V, Alahuhta S, Reiss A . Persistent default-mode network connectivity during light sedation. Hum Brain Mapp. 2008; 29(7):839-47. PMC: 2580760. DOI: 10.1002/hbm.20537. View

12.

Shmuel A, Leopold D . Neuronal correlates of spontaneous fluctuations in fMRI signals in monkey visual cortex: Implications for functional connectivity at rest. Hum Brain Mapp. 2008; 29(7):751-61. PMC: 6870786. DOI: 10.1002/hbm.20580. View

13.

Thomason M, Chang C, Glover G, Gabrieli J, Greicius M, Gotlib I . Default-mode function and task-induced deactivation have overlapping brain substrates in children. Neuroimage. 2008; 41(4):1493-503. PMC: 2735193. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.03.029. View

14.

Liu W, Flax J, Guise K, Sukul V, Benasich A . Functional connectivity of the sensorimotor area in naturally sleeping infants. Brain Res. 2008; 1223:42-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.05.054. View

15.

Born A, Miranda M, Rostrup E, Toft P, Peitersen B, Larsson H . Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the normal and abnormal visual system in early life. Neuropediatrics. 2000; 31(1):24-32. DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-15402. View

16.

Peterson B, Vohr B, Staib L, Cannistraci C, Dolberg A, Schneider K . Regional brain volume abnormalities and long-term cognitive outcome in preterm infants. JAMA. 2000; 284(15):1939-47. DOI: 10.1001/jama.284.15.1939. View

17.

Raichle M, MacLeod A, Snyder A, Powers W, Gusnard D, Shulman G . A default mode of brain function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001; 98(2):676-82. PMC: 14647. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.98.2.676. View

18.

Logothetis N . The neural basis of the blood-oxygen-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging signal. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2002; 357(1424):1003-37. PMC: 1693017. DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2002.1114. View

19.

Burgund E, Kang H, Kelly J, Buckner R, Snyder A, Petersen S . The feasibility of a common stereotactic space for children and adults in fMRI studies of development. Neuroimage. 2002; 17(1):184-200. DOI: 10.1006/nimg.2002.1174. View

20.

Neil J, Miller J, Mukherjee P, Huppi P . Diffusion tensor imaging of normal and injured developing human brain - a technical review. NMR Biomed. 2002; 15(7-8):543-52. DOI: 10.1002/nbm.784. View