Abstract
Language deficits are reported in preterm born children across development. Recent neuroimaging studies have found functional alterations in large-scale brain networks underlying these language deficits, but the early childhood development of the language network has not been investigated. Here, we compared intrinsic language network connectivity in 4-year-old children born VPT and term-born controls, using defined language regions (Broca’s area, Wernicke’s areas, and their homologues in the right hemisphere). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was obtained, and the group differences in whole-brain connectivity were examined from each seed as well as correlations with language outcomes. We found significantly decreased functional connectivity in almost all language regions in children born VPT compared to their term controls. Notably, Broca’s area homologue in the right hemisphere emerged as a functional hub of decreased connectivity in VPT group, specifically to bilateral inferior frontal and supramarginal gyri; connectivity strength between Broca’s area homologue with the right supramarginal and the left inferior frontal gyri was associated with better language outcomes at 4 years of age. Wernicke’s area and its homologue also showed decreased inter-hemispheric connections to bilateral supramarginal gyri in the VPT group. Decreased intra- and inter-hemispheric connectivity among primary language regions suggests immature and altered function in the language network in children born VPT.
Highlights
Every year, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm and this number is rising (World Health Organization [WHO], 2018)
The present study investigated language network connectivity in 4-year-old children born VPT and term-born controls born at term using defined language regions (Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas) and their homologues in the right hemisphere
We found significantly decreased functional connectivity in language networks in children born VPT compared to their term born peers, extending the previous literature in older children, which showed atypical functional connectivity in intrinsic language networks with decreased or increased patterns (Gozzo et al, 2009; Myers et al, 2010; Kwon et al, 2015), to this pre-school age range
Summary
An estimated 15 million babies are born preterm and this number is rising (World Health Organization [WHO], 2018). Preterm neonates suffer both major (8%) and minor (37%) medical morbidities (Manuck et al, 2016), but significant neurocognitive deficits are reported in childhood even among children who show no obvious neurological injury (Isaacs et al, 2004; Aarnoudse-Moens et al, 2012). Preterm birth has been found to increase the risk of deficits in the preschool and school years (Sansavini et al, 2010; Gonzalez-Gomez and Nazzi, 2012). Some studies reported that language problems in pretermborn children may improve with age (Luu et al, 2009; Putnick et al, 2017). Others suggested, these early impairments in language do not improve, even though preterm infants
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