Abstract #2045

Fractional Anisotropy Correlates with Total IQ and Visual Perception in Young Adults Born with Very Low Birth Weight

Live Eikenes¹, Gro Lhaugen², Kjerstin Bjrlykke², Ann-Mari Brubakk², Jon Skranes², Asta Hberg³

¹Department of circulation and medical imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; ²Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; ³Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

Perinatal brain injury caused by very preterm birth with very low birth weight (VLBW, ≤ 1500 g) is associated with changes in white matter integrity and connectivity, and to a variety of neurodevelopmental problems including cognitive impairments and visual perceptual deficits in childhood and adolescence. Widespread correlations between fractional anisotropy and total IQ and visual perception scores was detected in a young adult VLBW group, demonstrating the pervasive nature of the reduction in cognition and perception in this group. The results demonstrate that the neuroimpairments persist into adulthood.