Assessment of structural connectivity in the preterm brain at term equivalent age using diffusion MRI and T-2 relaxometry: a network-based analysis

Preterm birth is associated with a high prevalence of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. Non- invasive techniques which can probe the neural correlates underpinning these deficits are required. This can be achieved by measuring the structural network of connections within the preterm infant's brain using diffusion MRI and tractography. We used diffusion MRI and T-2 relaxometry to identify connections with altered white matter properties in preterm infants compared to term infants. Diffusion and T-2 data were obtained from 9 term neonates and 18 preterm- born infants (bor