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Abstract #0836

Differing Contributions of Whole Brain Fractional Anisotropy, Axon Density and Axon Dispersion to Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Children Born Very Preterm

Claire E Kelly 1 , Deanne K Thompson 1,2 , Jian Chen 1,3 , Alexander Leemans 4 , Christopher L Adamson 1 , Terrie E Inder 5 , Jeanie LY Cheong 1,6 , Lex W Doyle 1,6 , and Peter J Anderson 1,7

1 Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 2 Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 3 Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 4 Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, 5 Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston, MA, United States, 6 Royal Womens Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 7 University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Children born very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks gestation) are at risk of neurodevelopmental delays. We aimed to determine whether whole brain Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) values are associated with neurodevelopment in 145 VPT 7-year-olds. Decreasing fractional anisotropy in widespread fiber tracts correlated with poorer cognitive, motor, academic and behavioral/emotional outcomes. In many of the same tracts, increasing axon dispersion correlated with poorer motor outcome, while decreasing axon density correlated with poorer behavioural/emotional outcome. DTI combined with NODDI enables more specific identification of the microstructural factors contributing to neurodevelopmental outcomes in VPT children.

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