AIM: Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) combined with tractography can be used to assess non-invasively white matter microstructure and brain development in preterm infants. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of the current evidence obtained from tractography studies of preterm infants in whom MRI was performed up to term-equivalent age. METHOD: Databases were searched for dMRI tractography studies of preterm infants. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were assessed. The most frequently assessed tracts included the corticospinal tract, the corpus callosum, and the optic radiations. The superior longitudinal fasciculus, and the anterior and superior thalamic radiations were investigated less frequently. A clear relationship exists between diffusion metrics and postmenstrual age at the time of scanning, although the evidence of an effect of gestational age at birth and white matter injury is conflicting. Sex and laterality may play an important role in the relationship between diffusion metrics, early clinical assessment, and outcomes. INTERPRETATION: Studies involving infants of all gestational ages are required to elucidate the relationship between gestational age and diffusion metrics, and to establish the utility of tractography as a predictive tool. There is a need for more robust acquisition and analysis methods to improve the accuracy of assessing development of white matter pathways.
AIM: Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) combined with tractography can be used to assess non-invasively white matter microstructure and brain development in preterm infants. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of the current evidence obtained from tractography studies of preterm infants in whom MRI was performed up to term-equivalent age. METHOD: Databases were searched for dMRI tractography studies of preterm infants. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were assessed. The most frequently assessed tracts included the corticospinal tract, the corpus callosum, and the optic radiations. The superior longitudinal fasciculus, and the anterior and superior thalamic radiations were investigated less frequently. A clear relationship exists between diffusion metrics and postmenstrual age at the time of scanning, although the evidence of an effect of gestational age at birth and white matter injury is conflicting. Sex and laterality may play an important role in the relationship between diffusion metrics, early clinical assessment, and outcomes. INTERPRETATION: Studies involving infants of all gestational ages are required to elucidate the relationship between gestational age and diffusion metrics, and to establish the utility of tractography as a predictive tool. There is a need for more robust acquisition and analysis methods to improve the accuracy of assessing development of white matter pathways.
Authors: Alina Jurcoane; Marcel Daamen; Lukas Scheef; Josef G Bäuml; Chun Meng; Afra M Wohlschläger; Christian Sorg; Barbara Busch; Nicole Baumann; Dieter Wolke; Peter Bartmann; Elke Hattingen; Henning Boecker Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2015-10-21 Impact factor: 5.038
Authors: Cory K Dodson; Katherine E Travis; Lauren R Borchers; Virginia A Marchman; Michal Ben-Shachar; Heidi M Feldman Journal: Dev Med Child Neurol Date: 2018-05-03 Impact factor: 5.449
Authors: Claire E Kelly; Deanne K Thompson; Jian Chen; Alexander Leemans; Christopher L Adamson; Terrie E Inder; Jeanie L Y Cheong; Lex W Doyle; Peter J Anderson Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2016-05-02 Impact factor: 5.038
Authors: Deanne K Thompson; Jian Chen; Richard Beare; Christopher L Adamson; Rachel Ellis; Zohra M Ahmadzai; Claire E Kelly; Katherine J Lee; Andrew Zalesky; Joseph Y M Yang; Rodney W Hunt; Jeanie L Y Cheong; Terrie E Inder; Lex W Doyle; Marc L Seal; Peter J Anderson Journal: Neuroimage Date: 2016-04-01 Impact factor: 6.556