Hanna Kallankari1,2, Hanna-Leena Taskila3,4, Minna Heikkinen3,5, Mikko Hallman3, Virva Saunavaara6,7, Tuula Kaukola3,4. 1. PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. hanna.kallankari@oulu.fi. 2. Department of Child Neurology, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FIN-90014, Oulu, Finland. hanna.kallankari@oulu.fi. 3. PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. 4. Department of Neonatology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. 5. Child Language Research Center, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. 6. PET Center, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. 7. Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prematurity and perinatal risk factors may influence white matter microstructure. In turn, these maturational changes may influence language development in this high-risk population of children. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in the microstructure of association tracts between preterm and term children and between preterm children with appropriate growth and those with fetal growth restriction and to study whether the diffusion tensor metrics of these tracts correlate with language abilities in schoolchildren with no severe neurological impairment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study prospectively followed 56 very preterm children (mean gestational age: 28.7 weeks) and 21 age- and gender-matched term children who underwent diffusion tensor imaging at a mean age of 9 years. We used automated probabilistic tractography and measured fractional anisotropy in seven bilateral association tracts known to belong to the white matter language network. Both groups participated in language assessment using five standardised tests at the same age. RESULTS: Preterm children had lower fractional anisotropy in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus 1 compared to term children (P < 0.05). Preterm children with fetal growth restriction had lower fractional anisotropy in the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus compared to preterm children with appropriate fetal growth (P < 0.05). Fractional anisotropy in three dorsal tracts and in two dorsal and one ventral tract had a positive correlation with language assessments among preterm children and preterm children with fetal growth restriction, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There were some microstructural differences in language-related tracts between preterm and term children and between preterm children with appropriate and those with restricted fetal growth. Children with better language abilities had a higher fractional anisotropy in distinct white matter tracts.
BACKGROUND: Prematurity and perinatal risk factors may influence white matter microstructure. In turn, these maturational changes may influence language development in this high-risk population of children. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in the microstructure of association tracts between preterm and term children and between preterm children with appropriate growth and those with fetal growth restriction and to study whether the diffusion tensor metrics of these tracts correlate with language abilities in schoolchildren with no severe neurological impairment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study prospectively followed 56 very preterm children (mean gestational age: 28.7 weeks) and 21 age- and gender-matched term children who underwent diffusion tensor imaging at a mean age of 9 years. We used automated probabilistic tractography and measured fractional anisotropy in seven bilateral association tracts known to belong to the white matter language network. Both groups participated in language assessment using five standardised tests at the same age. RESULTS: Preterm children had lower fractional anisotropy in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus 1 compared to term children (P < 0.05). Preterm children with fetal growth restriction had lower fractional anisotropy in the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus compared to preterm children with appropriate fetal growth (P < 0.05). Fractional anisotropy in three dorsal tracts and in two dorsal and one ventral tract had a positive correlation with language assessments among preterm children and preterm children with fetal growth restriction, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There were some microstructural differences in language-related tracts between preterm and term children and between preterm children with appropriate and those with restricted fetal growth. Children with better language abilities had a higher fractional anisotropy in distinct white matter tracts.
Authors: Lauren R Borchers; Lisa Bruckert; Cory K Dodson; Katherine E Travis; Virginia A Marchman; Michal Ben-Shachar; Heidi M Feldman Journal: Brain Struct Funct Date: 2018-12-11 Impact factor: 3.270
Authors: E Sabrina Twilhaar; Rebecca M Wade; Jorrit F de Kieviet; Johannes B van Goudoever; Ruurd M van Elburg; Jaap Oosterlaan Journal: JAMA Pediatr Date: 2018-04-01 Impact factor: 16.193
Authors: Madeleine L Barnett; Nora Tusor; Gareth Ball; Andrew Chew; Shona Falconer; Paul Aljabar; Jessica A Kimpton; Nigel Kennea; Mary Rutherford; A David Edwards; Serena J Counsell Journal: Neuroimage Clin Date: 2017-11-21 Impact factor: 4.881