Structural brain maturation differs between preterm and term piglets, whereas brain activity does not

TY - JOUR

T1 - Structural brain maturation differs between preterm and term piglets, whereas brain activity does not

AU - Plomgaard, A M

AU - Andersen, A D

AU - Petersen, T H

AU - van de Looij, Y

AU - Thymann, T

AU - Sangild, P T

AU - Thomsen, C

AU - Sizonenko, S V

AU - Greisen, G

N1 - This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PY - 2019/4

Y1 - 2019/4

N2 - AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate whether amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preterm piglets would provide measures of cerebral functional, microstructural and anatomical maturation, which might reflect the signs of functional brain immaturity, documented in preterm piglets.METHODS: During July-October 2013 at the NEOMUNE Centre, Copenhagen University, Denmark, 31 preterm (90% gestation) and 10 term piglets underwent aEEG on days 1, 2, 4 and 11, and MRI on day 25. Physical activity levels were recorded.RESULTS: Preterm showed delayed neonatal arousal and physical activity, relative to term piglets. Preterm piglets had lower growth rates and brain volume than term piglets, but aEEG patterns were similar. MRI mean diffusivity was also similar, but fractional anisotropy (FA) was lower in preterm piglets (p < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Functional brain maturation, as assessed by aEEG, was relatively advanced in preterm piglets. Conversely, the low FA in the preterm piglets suggests that the white matter microstructure remains less mature in preterm compared to term piglets at postnatal day 25. The results might be utilised to define whether and how preterm piglets may contribute to preclinical models for brain development in preterm infants.

AB - AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate whether amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preterm piglets would provide measures of cerebral functional, microstructural and anatomical maturation, which might reflect the signs of functional brain immaturity, documented in preterm piglets.METHODS: During July-October 2013 at the NEOMUNE Centre, Copenhagen University, Denmark, 31 preterm (90% gestation) and 10 term piglets underwent aEEG on days 1, 2, 4 and 11, and MRI on day 25. Physical activity levels were recorded.RESULTS: Preterm showed delayed neonatal arousal and physical activity, relative to term piglets. Preterm piglets had lower growth rates and brain volume than term piglets, but aEEG patterns were similar. MRI mean diffusivity was also similar, but fractional anisotropy (FA) was lower in preterm piglets (p < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Functional brain maturation, as assessed by aEEG, was relatively advanced in preterm piglets. Conversely, the low FA in the preterm piglets suggests that the white matter microstructure remains less mature in preterm compared to term piglets at postnatal day 25. The results might be utilised to define whether and how preterm piglets may contribute to preclinical models for brain development in preterm infants.

KW - Electroencephalography

KW - Magnetic resonance imaging

KW - Preterm infant brain model

KW - Preterm piglet and piglet model

U2 - 10.1111/apa.14556

DO - 10.1111/apa.14556

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30144173

SN - 0803-5253

VL - 108

SP - 637

EP - 644

JO - Acta Paediatrica

JF - Acta Paediatrica

IS - 4

ER -