Visual attention in preterm born adults: specifically impaired attentional sub-mechanisms that link with altered intrinsic brain networks in a compensation-like mode

TY - JOUR

T1 - Visual attention in preterm born adults

T2 - specifically impaired attentional sub-mechanisms that link with altered intrinsic brain networks in a compensation-like mode

AU - Finke, Kathrin

AU - Neitzel, Julia

AU - Bauml, J. G.

AU - Redel, Petra

AU - Müller, Hermann

AU - Meng, C

AU - Jaekel, Julia

AU - Daamen, M

AU - Scheef, L

AU - Busch, B

AU - Baumann, N

AU - Boecker, H

AU - Bartmann, P

AU - Habekost, Thomas

AU - Wolke, Dieter

AU - Wohlschlaeger, A

AU - Sorg, Christian

PY - 2015/2/5

Y1 - 2015/2/5

N2 - Although pronounced and lasting deficits in selective attention have been observed for preterm born individuals it is unknown which specific attentional sub-mechanisms are affected and how they relate to brain networks. We used the computationally specified 'Theory of Visual Attention' together with whole- and partial-report paradigms to compare attentional sub-mechanisms of pre- (n. = 33) and full-term (n. = 32) born adults. Resting-state fMRI was used to evaluate both between-group differences and inter-individual variance in changed functional connectivity of intrinsic brain networks relevant for visual attention. In preterm born adults, we found specific impairments of visual short-term memory (vSTM) storage capacity while other sub-mechanisms such as processing speed or attentional weighting were unchanged. Furthermore, changed functional connectivity was found in unimodal visual and supramodal attention-related intrinsic networks. Among preterm born adults, the individual pattern of changed connectivity in occipital and parietal cortices was systematically associated with vSTM in such a way that the more distinct the connectivity differences, the better the preterm adults' storage capacity. These findings provide first evidence for selectively changed attentional sub-mechanisms in preterm born adults and their relation to altered intrinsic brain networks. In particular, data suggest that cortical changes in intrinsic functional connectivity may compensate adverse developmental consequences of prematurity on visual short-term storage capacity.

AB - Although pronounced and lasting deficits in selective attention have been observed for preterm born individuals it is unknown which specific attentional sub-mechanisms are affected and how they relate to brain networks. We used the computationally specified 'Theory of Visual Attention' together with whole- and partial-report paradigms to compare attentional sub-mechanisms of pre- (n. = 33) and full-term (n. = 32) born adults. Resting-state fMRI was used to evaluate both between-group differences and inter-individual variance in changed functional connectivity of intrinsic brain networks relevant for visual attention. In preterm born adults, we found specific impairments of visual short-term memory (vSTM) storage capacity while other sub-mechanisms such as processing speed or attentional weighting were unchanged. Furthermore, changed functional connectivity was found in unimodal visual and supramodal attention-related intrinsic networks. Among preterm born adults, the individual pattern of changed connectivity in occipital and parietal cortices was systematically associated with vSTM in such a way that the more distinct the connectivity differences, the better the preterm adults' storage capacity. These findings provide first evidence for selectively changed attentional sub-mechanisms in preterm born adults and their relation to altered intrinsic brain networks. In particular, data suggest that cortical changes in intrinsic functional connectivity may compensate adverse developmental consequences of prematurity on visual short-term storage capacity.

U2 - 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.11.062

DO - 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.11.062

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1053-8119

VL - 107

SP - 95

EP - 106

JO - NeuroImage

JF - NeuroImage

ER -