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Advances in functional and diffusion neuroimaging research into the long-term consequences of very preterm birth

Journal of Perinatology volume 41, pages 689–706 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Very preterm birth (<32 weeks of gestation) has been associated with lifelong difficulties in a variety of neurocognitive functions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with advanced analytical approaches have been employed in order to increase our understanding of the neurodevelopmental problems that many very preterm born individuals face as they grow up. In this review, we will focus on two novel imaging techniques that have explored relationships between specific brain mechanisms and behavioural outcomes. These are functional MRI, which maps regional, time-varying changes in brain metabolism and diffusion-weighted MRI, which measures the displacement of water molecules in tissue and provides quantitative information about tissue microstructure. Identifying the neurobiological underpinning of the long-term sequelae associated with very preterm birth could inform the development and implementation of preventative interventions (before any cognitive problem emerges) and could facilitate the identification of behavioural targets for improving the life course outcomes of very preterm individuals.

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Fig. 1: Graphic representation of a verbal fluency paradigm.
Fig. 2: Examples of selected brain regions frequently identified as displaying haemodynamic responses that are both altered in preterm individuals compared to controls and associated with behavioural outcomes.
Fig. 3: Schematic overview of different reconstruction methods.
Fig. 4: Deterministic tractography example.
Fig. 5: Whole-brain probabilistic tractography of an infant’s brain [Figure courtesy of Dafnis Batalle].
Fig. 6: Illustration of key characteristics of the human connectome.
Fig. 7: Examples of selected white matter tracts frequently identified to have altered microstructure in preterm individuals compared to controls which are also associated with behavioural outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK

    Dana Kanel, Serena J. Counsell & Chiara Nosarti

  2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK

    Dana Kanel & Chiara Nosarti

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  1. Dana Kanel
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Kanel, D., Counsell, S.J. & Nosarti, C. Advances in functional and diffusion neuroimaging research into the long-term consequences of very preterm birth. J Perinatol 41, 689–706 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-00865-y

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