Neonatal motor functional connectivity and motor outcomes at age two years in very preterm children with and without high-grade brain injury

Objectives Tests of physical function are often thought to measure functioning that is (1) musculoskeletal, and (2) newly declining in adult life. In contrast, this study aimed to: (1) add to evidence that physical-function tests also measure brain function, and (2) test the novel hypothesis that adult physical function is associated with brain function beginning in early childhood. We investigated early-childhood brain function and midlife physical function in the Dunedin Study, a 5-decade longitudinal birth cohort (n=1,037). Method Brain function was measured at age 3 using five measures which formed a reliable composite (neurological examination, cognitive and motor tests, temperament ratings). Physical function was measured at age 45 using five measures which formed a reliable composite (gait speed, step-in-place, chair stands, balance, grip strength). Results Children with worse age-3 brain function had worse midlife physical function as measured by the age-45 composite, even after controlling for childhood socioeconomic status (β, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.16-0.30; P < .001). Worse age-3 brain function significantly predicted slower gait speed, fewer steps-in-place and chair-stands, worse balance, and weaker grip strength. Discussion Children with poorer brain function were more likely to have poorer physical-function scores as adults. In addition to indicating recent musculoskeletal decline, physical-function tests may also provide indications of lifelong, integrated brain-body health. By reconceptualizing the meaning of physical-function scores, clinicians can orient the use of physical-function tests in a more holistic approach to healthcare.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

hi@scite.ai

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Neonatal motor functional connectivity and motor outcomes at age two years in very preterm children with and without high-grade brain injury

Cited by 4 publications

References 59 publications

Association of brain functional connectivity with neurodevelopmental outcomes in healthy full-term newborns

Association of brain functional connectivity with neurodevelopmental outcomes in healthy full-term newborns

Helpless infants are learning a foundation model

Adult Physical Function Has Roots in Early Childhood Brain Function: A Five-Decade Cohort Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About