Cerebellar Functional Connectivity in Term- and Very Preterm-Born Infants

Herzmann, Charlotte; Snyder, Abraham Z.; Kenley, Jeanette K.; Rogers, Cynthia; Shimony, Joshua S.; Smyser, Christopher D.

doi:10.1093/cercor/bhy023

Cited by 26 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…This may explain the relatively sparse involvement of subcortical regions in the identified RSNs (Figure 1A, 1C). Thalamocortical and cerebellar functional connectivity may be better appreciated with seed-based methods (Herzmann et al, 2018;Toulmin et al, 2015). We also noted sparse involvement of inferior frontotemporal regions, even at Z > 1 (Figure S1B).…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 82%

The Developing Human Connectome Project: typical and disrupted perinatal functional connectivity

Eyre

Fitzgibbon

Ciarrusta

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The Developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP) is an Open Science project which provides the first large sample of neonatal functional MRI (fMRI) data with high temporal and spatial resolution. This data enables mapping of intrinsic functional connectivity between spatially distributed brain regions under normal and adverse perinatal circumstances, offering a framework to study the ontogeny of large-scale brain organisation in humans. Here, we characterise in unprecedented detail the maturation and integrity of resting-state networks (RSNs) at normal term age in 337 infants (including 65 born preterm).First, we applied group independent component analysis (ICA) to define 11 RSNs in term-born infants scanned at 43.5-44.5 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Adult-like topography was observed in RSNs encompassing primary sensorimotor, visual and auditory cortices. Among six higher-order, association RSNs, analogues of the adult networks for language and ocular control were identified, but a complete default mode network precursor was not. Next, we regressed the subject-level datasets from an independent cohort of infants scanned at 37-43.5 weeks PMA against the group-level RSNs to test for the effects of age, sex and preterm birth.Brain mapping in term-born infants revealed areas of positive association with age across four of six association RSNs, indicating active maturation in functional connectivity from 37 to 43.5 weeks PMA. Female infants showed increased connectivity in inferotemporal regions of the visual association network. Preterm birth was associated with striking impairments of functional connectivity across all RSNs in a dose-dependent manner; conversely, connectivity of the superior parietal lobules within the lateral motor network was abnormally increased in preterm infants, suggesting a possible mechanism for specific difficulties such as developmental coordination disorder which occur frequently in preterm children.Overall, we find a robust, modular, symmetrical functional brain organisation at normal term age. A complete set of adult-equivalent primary RSNs is already instated, alongside emerging connectivity in immature association RSNs, consistent with a primary-to-higher-order ontogenetic sequence of brain development. The early developmental disruption imposed by preterm birth is associated with extensive alterations in functional connectivity.

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Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 82%

The Developing Human Connectome Project: typical and disrupted perinatal functional connectivity

Eyre

Fitzgibbon

Ciarrusta

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…, better motor abilities) have been shown to exhibit stronger structural connectivity within the cerebellar peduncles (Wang S et al 2014). In addition, more recent research suggests VPT infants demonstrate altered functional connectivity patterns between the cerebellum and multiple cortical networks, suggesting the changes underlying these differences in cerebellar brain-behavior relationships may begin as early as the neonatal period (Herzmann CS et al 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Altered functional network connectivity relates to motor development in children born very preterm

et al. 2018

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Individuals born very preterm (<32 weeks gestation) are at increased risk for neuromotor impairments. The ability to characterize the structural and functional mechanisms underlying these impairments remains limited using existing neuroimaging techniques. Resting state-functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) holds promise for defining the functional network architecture of the developing brain in relation to typical and aberrant neurodevelopment. In 58 very preterm and 65 term-born children studied from birth to age 12 years, we examined relations between functional connectivity measures from low-motion rs-fMRI data and motor skills assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition. Across all subscales, motor performance was better in term than very preterm children. Examination of relations between functional connectivity and motor measures using enrichment analysis revealed between-group differences within cerebellar, frontoparietal, and default mode networks, and between basal ganglia-motor, thalamus-motor, basal ganglia-auditory, and dorsal attention-default mode networks. Specifically, very preterm children exhibited weaker associations between motor scores and thalamus-motor and basal ganglia-motor network connectivity. These findings highlight key functional brain systems underlying motor development. They also demonstrate persisting developmental effects of preterm birth on functional connectivity and motor performance in childhood, providing evidence for an alternative network architecture supporting motor function in preterm children.

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“…fcMRI data was processed as previously described [39, 40]. Frames with significant motion (>0.5 mm displacement) were excluded [41]; at least 5 minutes of low-motion BOLD data was required for inclusion.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal pomegranate juice intake and brain structure and function in infants with intrauterine growth restriction: A randomized controlled pilot study

et al. 2019

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Polyphenol-rich pomegranate juice has been shown to have benefit as a neuroprotectant in animal models of neonatal hypoxic-ischemia. No published studies have investigated maternal polyphenol administration as a potential neuroprotectant in at-risk newborns, such as those with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study to investigate the impact of maternal pomegranate juice intake in pregnancies with IUGR, on newborn brain structure and function at term-equivalent age (TEA). Mothers with IUGR at 24–34 weeks’ gestation were recruited from Barnes-Jewish Hospital obstetrical clinic. Consented mothers were randomized to treatment (8 oz. pomegranate juice) or placebo (8 oz. polyphenol-free juice) and continued to take juice daily from enrollment until delivery (mean 20.1 and 27.1 days, respectively). Infants underwent brain MRI at TEA (36–41 weeks’ gestation). Brain measures were compared between groups including: brain injury score, brain metrics, brain volumes, diffusion tensor imaging and resting state functional connectivity. Statistical analyses were undertaken as modified intention-to-treat (including randomized participants who received their allocated intervention and whose infants received brain MRI) and per-protocol (including participants who strictly adhered to the protocol, based on metabolite status). Seventy-seven mothers were randomized to treatment (n = 40) or placebo (n = 37). Of these, 28 and 27 infants, respectively, underwent term-equivalent MRI. There were no group differences in brain injury, metrics or volumes. However, treatment subjects displayed reduced diffusivity within the anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule compared with placebo. Resting state functional connectivity demonstrated increased correlation and covariance within several networks in treatment subjects, with alterations most apparent in the visual network in per-protocol analyses. Direct effects on health were not found. In conclusion, maternal pomegranate juice intake in pregnancies with known IUGR was associated with altered white matter organization and functional connectivity in the infant brain, suggesting differences in brain structure and function following in utero pomegranate juice exposure, warranting continued investigation. Clinical trial registration. NCT00788866 , registered November 11, 2008, initial participant enrollment August 21, 2012.

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Cerebellar Functional Connectivity in Term- and Very Preterm-Born Infants

Cited by 26 publications

References 67 publications

The Developing Human Connectome Project: typical and disrupted perinatal functional connectivity

The Developing Human Connectome Project: typical and disrupted perinatal functional connectivity

Altered functional network connectivity relates to motor development in children born very preterm

Maternal pomegranate juice intake and brain structure and function in infants with intrauterine growth restriction: A randomized controlled pilot study

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