MRI

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Very low birth weight (<1500g; VLBW) preterm infants constitue 25% of all children with cerebral palsy (CP). Although the brain lesion underlying this disease is already present in early neonatal period (in the NICU) the neurological manifestation of CP is not apparent until 1-2 yrs of age. This delay in diagnosis of CP is responsible for delays in intervention which could improve outcome and limits our ability to advance our knowledge about the pathopysiology of CP. The aim of this study is to examine VLBW preterm disorders, at 37 weeks postconceptional age (before discharge), with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and diffusion anisotropy measured by using diffusion tensor brain MR imaging. To be specific, we expect to find higher diffusion and lower anisotrophy (indication injury/delayed maturation) in MRI in certain regions of the brain such as basal ganglia and cerebral white matter in those infants at high risk for developing major neurological abnormalities, including CP, at 18-month corrected age.