Association between left precuneus functional connectivity and early neurodevelopment in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE

Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk of functional brain network alterations, which may contribute to long-term motor and neurocognitive deficits. However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate functional brain activity changes in preterm infants and their correlation with early neurobehavioral development.

METHODS

Fifteen preterm infants and 15 full-term infants underwent scanning using a 3.0T Philips MRI scanner. Three resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data-driven approaches, amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) were used to comprehensively evaluate functional brain alterations in preterm infants at term-equivalent age (TEA). Correlations between Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment (NBNA) scores and FC values of abnormally connected brain regions were further analyzed in preterm infants at TEA.

RESULTS

Compared with full-term infants, preterm infants exhibited significantly higher ALFF and ReHo values in the left precuneus. Using the left precuneus as a seed region for FC analysis, preterm infants showed reduced FC with the left Rolandic operculum, right putamen, and left hippocampus. Additionally, FC values between the left precuneus and left Rolandic operculum, as well as between the left precuneus and right putamen, were positively correlated with NBNA scores in preterm infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Preterm infants may present early functional connectivity impairments of the left precuneus, which may be a potential neural correlate of neurobehavioral abnormalities. These findings provide insights into the neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying preterm birth-related deficits and may inform early clinical assessment strategies.