Increased temporal lobe gyrification in preterm children

Neuropsychologia. 2006;44(3):445-53. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2005.05.015. Epub 2005 Jun 27.

Abstract

Preterm birth often results in significant learning disability, and previous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of preterm children have demonstrated reduction in overall cortical tissue with particular vulnerability in the temporal lobe. We measured cortical gyrification in 73 preterm and 33 term control children at 8 years of age and correlated these findings with tests of language ability to determine the associations among preterm birth, neurodevelopment and functional outcome. Preterm children demonstrated significantly increased bilateral temporal lobe gyrification index compared to term controls. Left temporal gyrification index was significantly negatively correlated with left temporal lobe gray matter volume as well as reading recognition scores in the preterm group. Cortical development in the temporal lobe appears to be differentially vulnerable to preterm birth.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Cortex / abnormalities
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / prevention & control
  • Cerebral Ventricles
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Connecticut
  • Developmental Disabilities / diagnosis*
  • Developmental Disabilities / prevention & control
  • Developmental Disabilities / psychology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / drug therapy
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / psychology
  • Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
  • Language Development Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Language Development Disorders / prevention & control
  • Language Development Disorders / psychology
  • Learning Disabilities / diagnosis*
  • Learning Disabilities / prevention & control
  • Learning Disabilities / psychology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Temporal Lobe / abnormalities*
  • Temporal Lobe / drug effects
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology
  • Wechsler Scales