Biology subjects

Batalle, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Batalle, D..

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Early development of cerebellar functional connectivity

The cerebellum makes a critical contribution to cognitive and behavioural function, extending well beyond motor control, and is recognised as an important determinant of neurodevelopmental outcome. Despite this, little is known about the foundations of cerebellar functional organisation in early life. Addressing this gap is essential for establishing typical developmental trajectories against which atypical development can be assessed. Here, we analysed fMRI data from term-born neonates (n=155) scanned between 37 and 44 weeks postmenstrual age and mapped intra-cerebellar and cerebro-cerebellar functional connectivity across multiple levels of organisation. We identified 13 intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) within the neonatal cerebellum that recapitulated adult subdivisions, with two ICNs showing age-related increases in coverage and strength. Analysis of cerebro-cerebellar connectivity identified 15 sensory, motor and association cerebral clusters, seven increasing connectivity with age. Functional gradient analysis identified a continuous axis from somatomotor to association regions within intra-cerebellar and cerebro-cerebellar organisation, which became more pronounced with age. Together, these findings suggest that the foundations of adult cerebellar functional organisation are present at birth but undergo rapid and regionally heterogeneous maturation over the first weeks of postnatal life. This developmental framework provides a normative reference for understanding cerebellar development and its implications for later neurodevelopmental variation.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Development of Neonatal Functional Brain Network Organisation and Its Association with Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

The human brain undergoes rapid dynamic changes in the neonatal period that are essential for later cognitive and behavioural performance. Using resting-state fMRI data from 394 neonates (325 term-born, 69 preterm-born) within the first month after birth, we characterised the early development of functional network organisation, the effects of preterm birth, and the association between neonatal functional organisation and later neurodevelopmental outcomes in infancy (18 months) and childhood (4-6 years). We found increased functional integration and segregation across a wide range of functional sub-networks and increased mean functional connectivity strength (mean FCS) within the subcortical and cerebellar regions with increasing PMA at scan. Compared with term-born neonates, preterm-born neonates showed significantly lower mean FCS, functional integration and segregation globally. We further showed that whilst neonatal functional brain network organisation was not associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes measured during infancy (18 months), it was associated with later neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood (4-6 years). Specifically, higher functional integration and segregation at birth were linked with lower SDQ total difficulties score at 4-6 years. Our findings suggest that neonatal functional brain organisation reflects not only transient developmental processes, but also stable individual differences that provide insight into neurodevelopmental outcomes in later childhood.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Emergence of long- and short-range functional connectivity shapes neonatal brain gradients

The emergence of macroscale brain organisation during the perinatal period represents a critical but poorly understood process. Using resting-state fMRI in 325 term-born neonates within the first month of postnatal life, we characterised the early emergence of macroscale brain organisation with functional gradients. Neonatal functional gradients showed a distinct pattern compared with the canonical adult gradients: the principal gradient in neonates, separating the primary sensorimotor and visual networks, corresponded to the secondary gradient in adults (sensorimotor-visual axis), whereas the secondary gradient in neonates, spanning from primary visual to association networks, aligned with the principal gradient in adults (sensorimotor-association axis). We identified distance-dependent functional connectivity as a key mechanism shaping perinatal functional gradients and potentially underlying the protracted development of the sensorimotor-association hierarchy in neonates. Regions with a higher proportion of short-range functional connectivity contributed more to the sensorimotor-visual gradient in neonates, while regions with a greater proportion of middle-to long-range functional connectivity drive the sensorimotor-association hierarchy. Together, these findings highlight the critical role of short- and long-range functional connectivity in shaping neonatal macroscale functional hierarchy. Disruptions to this process during the perinatal period may alter macroscale brain organisation and contribute to the early origins of neurodevelopmental conditions. Significance statementMacroscale brain organisation, characterised by functional gradients, is a fundamental feature of the adult brain and is closely linked to neurodevelopmental conditions. Characterising its emergence in early life and the underlying mechanisms is therefore critical for understanding typical and atypical brain development. Here, we showed that macroscale brain organisation is present at birth, with neonatal functional gradients showing a reversed pattern compared to adults, highlighting the early maturation of primary visual and sensorimotor networks. We further demonstrated that the perinatal development of long- and short-range functional connectivity shapes neonatal functional gradients, identifying a potential mechanism through which early disruptions in functional connectivity may contribute to later neurodevelopmental outcomes.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Thalamocortical constraints on areal connectivity in the developing human brain

The thalamus plays a central role in cortical development, organisation and function. Thalamic nuclei acquire distinct molecular identities during gestation, with first-order relays maturing before higher-order nuclei. Thalamic afferents innervate the cortical plate with a precise order, disruptions to which alter cortical function. Recent models propose that thalamic input to primary sensory cortex constrains the development of wider cortical networks, promoting the formation of highly-connected hubs in association cortex. Here, we combine neuroimaging, post mortem gene expression data and network modelling to examine how the timing and spatial distribution of thalamocortical innervation influences the formation of cortical networks during gestation. We find that the maturation rates of thalamic nuclei align with predicted timing and distribution of afferent outgrowth. While higher order nuclei connect widely across the cortex, they do not preferentially target high-degree hubs. Instead, hubs emerge from interdependent spatiotemporal constraints imposed by both wiring distance and thalamocortical maturation.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Functional connectome harmonics capture early brain organization and maturity in neonates

The functional organization of the human brain is established early, yet the ontogeny of its large-scale functional gradients remains unclear. Using resting-state fMRI data from 714 neonates in the Developing Human Connectome Project, we mapped neonatal brain gradients via functional connectome harmonics (FCH). We identified adult-like sensory-to-multimodal and cognitive gradient patterns present at birth. Applying three FCH-derived metrics--entropy, power, and energy--we found that power and energy were higher in term-born compared to preterm neonates, while entropy was elevated in preterms. These metrics predicted up to ~30% of postmenstrual age, indicating their biological relevance. Our findings reveal that the neonatal brain possesses a robust gradient architecture underpinning early functional organization, offering novel biomarkers for assessing brain maturity and the impact of prematurity on neurodevelopment.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

In vivo tractography of human neonatal white-matter pathways underlying hypothalamic and reward functions to study predispositions to neurodevelopmental conditions and obesity

White matter (WM) tracts of the reward, limbic, and autonomic systems implicate the hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area and the amygdala and are associated with autism, ADHD, addiction and obesity. However, since most of these structures remain uncharacterised in vivo in human neonates, research on the early-life predispositions to these long-term "mind and body" conditions and the impact of common fetal exposures such as maternal obesity remains limited. Through the developing human connectome project, we acquired 3T brain diffusion and structural magnetic resonance imaging from healthy neonates born at-term to 137 normal-weight women (controls) and to 28 obese women and scanned at mean 40 weeks+6 days (+/-9 days) postmenstrual age (PMA). We first developed novel tractography protocols to reconstruct anatomical WM pathways for the neonatal medial forebrain bundle, ventral amygdalofugal pathway, amygdalo-accumbens fasciculus, stria terminalis and autonomic dorsal longitudinal fasciculus (DLF). We then quantified WM structure from the mean tract fibre bundle density (FD) and fibre cross-section (FC) and using regression path models evaluated WM change across PMA and the effects of antenatal obesity exposure and neonatal covariates. Lastly, we explored if neonatal WM FD and obesity exposure predicted child psycho-cognitive outcomes and anthropometry at 18 months. We show successful in vivo tractography of tracts with high topographical correspondence to adult histology, including in subcompartments of the hypothalamus and amygdala. The obesity exposure*PMA interaction was significant for mean FD in the bilateral amygdalo-accumbens fasciculus and right uncinate fasciculus. Males had larger FC in these same tracts bilaterally. Antenatal obesity exposure predicted lower cognitive scores and higher WHO weight and height z-scores at 18 months. Toddler reward-seeking temperament was correlated with higher weight zscore and was predicted by higher neonatal FD of the amygdalo-accumbens and uncinate fasciculi. Denser neonatal DLF predicted higher language and cognitive scores and fewer autistic traits at 18 months. In conclusion, we inform on neuroanatomical growth in vivo of discrete multisystemic regulatory networks and present evidence for early-life predispositions to psychological outcomes and obesity.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Differential maturation of the brain networks required for the sensory, emotional and cognitive aspects of pain in human newborns

Pain is multidimensional and complex, including sensory-discriminative, affective- motivational, and cognitive-evaluative components. While the concept of pain is learned through life experience, it is not known when and how the brain networks that are required to encode these different dimensions of pain develop. Using the two largest databases of human brain magnetic resonance (MR) images in the world - the developing Human Connectome Project and the Human Connectome Project - we have mapped the development of the neural pathways required for pain perception in the human brain in infants from <32 weeks to 42 weeks postmenstrual age (n = 372), compared to adults (n = 98). Partial correlation analysis of 15 mins resting BOLD signal between all possible pairwise combinations of 12 pain-related regions of interest showed that overall functional connectivity is significantly weaker in 32- week infants compared to adults. However, over the following weeks, significantly different developmental patterns of connectivity emerge in sensory-discriminative, affective- motivational, and cognitive-evaluative pain networks. The first subnetwork to reach adult levels in strength and proportion of connections is the sensory-discriminative subnetwork (34- 36 weeks PMA), followed by the affective-motivational subnetwork (36-38 weeks PMA), while the cognitive-evaluative subnetwork has still not reached adult levels at 42 weeks. This study reveals a previously unknown pattern of postnatal development of connectome subnetworks necessary for mature pain processing. The brain networks that form the infrastructure to encode different components of pain experience, change rapidly in the equivalent of the last gestational trimester but are still immature at the time of normal birth. Newborn neural pathways required for mature pain processing in the brain are incomplete in newborns compared to adults, particularly with respect to the emotional and evaluative aspects of pain. This data suggests that pain-related networks may have distinct periods of vulnerability to untimely noxious procedures during hospitalization, particularly in preterm infants.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Aperiodic and Hurst EEG exponents across early human brain development: a systematic review

In electroencephalographic (EEG) data, power-frequency slope exponents (1/f{beta}) can provide non-invasive markers of in vivo neural activity excitation-inhibition (E:I) balance. E:I balance may be altered in neurodevelopmental conditions; hence, understanding how 1/f{beta} evolves across infancy/childhood has implications for developing early assessments/interventions. This systematic review (PROSPERO-ID: CRD42023363294) explored the early maturation (0-26yrs) of resting-state EEG 1/f measures (aperiodic [AE], power law [PLE] and Hurst [HE] exponents), including studies containing [≥]1 1/f measures and [≥]10 typically developing participants. Five databases (including Embase and Scopus) were searched during March 2023. Forty-two studies were identified (Nparticipants=3478). Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies tool. Narrative synthesis of HE data suggests non-stationary EEG activity occurs throughout development. Age-related trends were complex, with rapid decreases in AEs during infancy and heterogenous changes thereafter. Regionally, AE maxima shifted developmentally, potentially reflecting spatial trends in maturing brain connectivity. This work highlights the importance of further characterising the development of 1/f measures to better understand how E:I balance shapes brain and cognitive development.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Exploring functional connectivity in clinical and data-driven groups of preterm and term adults

BackgroundAdults born very preterm (i.e., at <33 weeks gestation) are more susceptible to long-lasting structural and functional brain alterations and cognitive and socio-emotional difficulties, compared to full-term controls. However, behavioural heterogeneity within very preterm and full-term individuals makes it challenging to find biomarkers of specific outcomes. To address these questions, we parsed brain-behaviour heterogeneity in participants subdivided according to their clinical birth status (very preterm vs full-term) and/or data-driven behavioural phenotype (regardless of birth status). MethodsThe Network Based Statistic approach was used to identify topological components of resting state functional connectivity differentiating between i) 116 very preterm and 83 full-term adults (43% and 57% female, respectively), and ii) data-driven behavioural subgroups identified using consensus clustering (n= 156, 46% female). Age, sex, socio-economic status, and in-scanner head motion were used as confounders in all analyses. Post-hoc two-way group interactions between clinical birth status and behavioural data-driven subgrouping classification labels explored whether functional connectivity differences between very preterm and full-term adults varied according to distinct behavioural outcomes. ResultsVery preterm compared to full-term adults had poorer scores in selective measures of cognitive and socio-emotional processing and displayed complex patterns of hyper- and hypo-connectivity in subsections of the default mode, visual, and ventral attention networks. Stratifying the study participants in terms of their behavioural profiles (irrespective of birth status), identified two data-driven subgroups: An "At-risk" subgroup, characterised by increased cognitive, mental health, and socio-emotional difficulties, displaying hypo-connectivity anchored in frontal opercular and insular regions, relative to a "Resilient" subgroup with more favourable outcomes. No significant interaction was noted between clinical birth status and behavioural data-driven subgrouping classification labels in terms of functional connectivity. ConclusionsFunctional connectivity differentiating between very preterm and full-term adults was dissimilar to functional connectivity differentiating between the data-driven behavioural subgroups. We speculate that functional connectivity alterations observed in very preterm relative to full-term adults may confer both risk and resilience to developing behavioural sequelae associated with very preterm birth, while the localised functional connectivity alterations seen in the "At-risk" subgroup relative to the "Resilient" subgroup may underlie less favourable behavioural outcomes in adulthood, irrespective of birth status.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Neonatal brain dynamic functional connectivity: impact of preterm birth and association with early childhood neurodevelopment

Brain dynamic functional connectivity characterises transient connections between brain regions, changing over time. Features of brain dynamics have been linked to emotion and cognition in adult individuals, and atypical patterns have been associated with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism. Although reliable functional brain networks have been consistently identified in neonates, little is known about the early development of dynamic functional connectivity. In this study we characterise dynamic functional connectivity with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in the first few weeks of postnatal life in term-born (n = 324) and preterm-born (n = 66) individuals. We show that a dynamic landscape of brain connectivity is already established by the time of birth in the human brain, characterised by six transient states of neonatal functional connectivity with changing dynamics through the neonatal period. The pattern of dynamic connectivity is atypical in preterm-born infants, and associated with atypical social, sensory, and repetitive behaviours measured by the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT) scores at 18 months of age.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Parsing brain-behavior heterogeneity in very preterm born children using integrated similarity networks

Very preterm birth (VPT; [≤] 32 weeks gestation) is associated with altered brain development and cognitive and behavioral difficulties across the lifespan. However, heterogeneity in outcomes among individuals born VPT makes it challenging to identify those most vulnerable to neurodevelopmental sequelae. Here, we aimed to stratify VPT children into distinct behavioral subgroups and explore between-subgroup differences in neonatal brain structure and function. 198 VPT children (98 females) previously enrolled in the Evaluation of Preterm Imaging study (EudraCT 2009-011602-42) underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging at term-equivalent age and neuropsychological assessments at 4-7 years. Using an integrative clustering approach, we combined neonatal socio-demographic, clinical factors and childhood socio-emotional and executive function outcomes, to identify distinct subgroups of children based on their similarity profiles in a multidimensional space. We characterized resultant subgroups using domain-specific outcomes (temperament, psychopathology, IQ and cognitively stimulating home environment) and explored between-subgroup differences in neonatal brain volumes (voxel-wise Tensor-Based-Morphometry), functional connectivity (voxel-wise degree centrality) and structural connectivity (Tract-Based-Spatial-Statistics). Results showed two-and three-cluster data-driven solutions. The two-cluster solution comprised a resilient subgroup (lower psychopathology and higher IQ, executive function and socio-emotional outcomes) and an at-risk subgroup (poorer behavioral and cognitive outcomes). The three-cluster solution showed an additional third intermediate subgroup displaying behavioral and cognitive outcomes intermediate between the resilient and at-risk subgroups. The resilient subgroup had the most cognitively stimulating home environment and the at-risk subgroup showed the highest neonatal clinical risk, while the intermediate subgroup showed the lowest clinical but the highest socio-demographic risk. Compared to the intermediate subgroup, the resilient subgroup displayed larger neonatal insular and orbitofrontal volumes and stronger orbitofrontal functional connectivity, while the at-risk group showed widespread white matter microstructural alterations. These findings suggest that risk stratification following VPT birth is feasible and could be used translationally to guide personalized interventions aimed at promoting childrens resilience.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Clinical, socio-demographic, and parental correlates of early autism traits

BackgroundAutism traits emerge between the ages of 1 and 2. It is not known if experiences which increase the likelihood of childhood autism are related to early trait emergence, or if other exposures are more important. Identifying factors linked to toddler autism traits in the general population may improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying atypical neurodevelopment. MethodsClinical, socio-demographic, and parental information was collected at birth from 536 toddlers in London, UK (gestational age at birth, sex, maternal body mass index, age, parental education level, parental first language, parental history of neurodevelopmental disorders) and at 18 months (parent cohabiting status, two measures of social deprivation, three measures of maternal parenting style, and a measure of maternal postnatal depression). General neurodevelopment was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd Edition (BSID-III), and autism traits were assessed using the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT). Multivariable models were used to identify associations between variables and Q-CHAT. A model including BSID-III was used to identify factors associated with Q-CHAT independent of general neurodevelopment. Models were also evaluated addressing variable collinearity with principal component analysis (PCA). ResultsA multivariable model explained 20% of Q-CHAT variance, with four individually significant variables (two measures of parenting style and two measures of socio-economic deprivation). After adding general neurodevelopment into the model 36% of Q-CHAT variance was explained, with three individually significant variables (two measures of parenting style and one measure of language development). After addressing variable collinearity with PCA, parenting style and social deprivation were positively correlated with Q-CHAT score via a single principal component, independently of general neurodevelopment. Neither sex nor family history of autism were associated with Q-CHAT score. LimitationsThe Q-CHAT is parent rated and is therefore a subjective opinion rather than a clinical assessment. We measured Q-CHAT at a single timepoint, and to date no participant has been followed up in later childhood, so we are focused purely on emerging traits rather than clinical autism diagnoses. ConclusionsAutism traits are common at age 18 months, and greater emergence is specifically related to exposure to early life adversity.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Development of neonatal brain functional centrality and alterations associated with preterm birth

Formation of the functional connectome in early life underpins future learning and behaviour. However, our understanding of how the functional organisation of brain regions into interconnected hubs (centrality) matures in the early postnatal period is limited, especially in response to factors associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes such as preterm birth. We characterised voxel-wise functional centrality (weighted degree) in 366 neonates from the Developing Human Connectome Project. We tested the hypothesis that functional centrality matures with age at scan in term-born babies and is disrupted by preterm birth. Finally, we asked whether neonatal functional centrality predicts general neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months. We report an age-related increase in functional centrality predominantly within visual regions and decrease within motor and auditory regions in term-born infants. Preterm-born infants scanned at term equivalent age had higher functional centrality predominantly within visual regions and lower measures in motor regions. Functional centrality was not related to outcome at 18 months old. Thus, preterm birth appears to affect functional centrality in regions undergoing substantial development during the perinatal period. Our work raises the question of whether these alterations are adaptive or disruptive, and whether they predict neurodevelopmental characteristics that are more subtle or emerge later in life.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Neonatal multi-modal cortical profiles predict 18-month developmental outcomes

Developmental delays in infanthood often persist, turning into life-long difficulties, and coming at great cost for the individual and community. By examining the developing brain and its relation to developmental outcomes we can start to elucidate how the emergence of brain circuits is manifested in variability of infant motor, cognitive and behavioural capacities. In this study, we examined if cortical structural covariance at birth, indexing coordinated development, is related to later infant behaviour. We included 193 healthy term-born infants from the Developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP). An individual cortical connectivity matrix derived from morphological and microstructural features was computed for each subject (morphometric similarity networks, MSNs) and was used as input for the prediction of behavioural scores at 18 months using Connectome-Based Predictive Modeling (CPM). Neonatal MSNs successfully predicted social-emotional performance. Predictive edges were distributed between and within known functional cortical divisions with a specific important role for primary and posterior cortical regions. These results reveal that multi-modal neonatal cortical profiles showing coordinated maturation are related to developmental outcomes and that network organization at birth provides an early infrastructure for future functional skills.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Preterm birth alters the development of cortical microstructure and morphology at term-equivalent age

IntroductionThe dynamic nature and complexity of the cellular events that take place during the last trimester of pregnancy make the developing cortex particularly vulnerable to perturbations. Abrupt interruption to normal gestation can lead to significant deviations to many of these processes, resulting in atypical trajectory of cortical maturation in preterm birth survivors. MethodsWe sought to first map typical cortical micro and macrostructure development using invivo MRI in a large sample of healthy term-born infants scanned after birth (n=270). Then we offer a comprehensive characterisation of the cortical consequences of preterm birth in 78 preterm infants scanned at term-equivalent age (37-44 weeks postmenstrual age). We describe the group-average atypicality, the heterogeneity across individual preterm infants, and relate individual deviations from normative development to age at birth and neurodevelopment at 18 months. ResultsIn the term-born neonatal brain, we observed regionally specific age-associated changes in cortical morphology and microstructure, including rapid surface expansion, cortical thickness increase, reduction in cortical anisotropy and increase in neurite orientation dispersion. By term-equivalent age, preterm infants had on average increased cortical tissue water content and reduced neurite density index in the posterior parts of the cortex, and greater cortical thickness anteriorly compared to term-born infants. While individual preterm infants were more likely to show extreme deviations (over 3.1 standard deviations) from normative cortical maturation compared to term-born infants, these extreme deviations were highly variable and showed very little spatial overlap between individuals. Measures of regional cortical development were associated with age at birth, but not with neurodevelopment at 18 months. ConclusionWe showed that preterm birth alters cortical micro and macrostructural maturation near the time of fullterm birth. Deviations from normative development were highly variable between individual preterm infants.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Effects of gestational age at birth on perinatal structural brain development in healthy term-born babies

Multiple studies have demonstrated less favourable childhood outcomes in infants born in early term (37-38 weeks gestation) compared to those born at full term (40-41 weeks gestation). While this could be due to higher perinatal morbidity, gestational age at birth may also have a direct effect on the brain and subsequent neurodevelopment in term-born babies. Here we characterise structural brain correlates of gestational age at birth in healthy term-born neonates and their relationship to later neurodevelopmental outcome. We used T2 and diffusion weighted Magnetic Resonance Images acquired in the neonatal period from a cohort (n=454) of healthy babies born at term age (>37 weeks gestation) and scanned between 1 and 41 days after birth. Images were analysed using tensor based morphometry (TBM) and tract based spatial statistics (TBSS). Neurodevelopment was subsequently assessed at age 18 months using the Bayley-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, and the effects of gestational age at birth and related neuroimaging findings on outcome were analysed with linear regression. Infants born earlier had areas of higher relative ventricular volume, and lower relative brain volume in the basal ganglia, cerebellum and brainstem. Earlier birth was also associated with lower fractional anisotropy, higher mean, axial and radial diffusivity in major white matter tracts. Gestational age at birth was positively associated with all Bayley-III subscales at age 18 months. Linear regression models predicting outcome from gestational age at birth were significantly improved by adding neuroimaging features associated with gestational age at birth. This work adds to the growing body of evidence of the impact of early term birth and highlights the importance of considering the effect of gestational age at birth in future neuroimaging studies including term-born babies.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

The developing brain structural and functional connectome fingerprint

In the mature brain, structural and functional connectivity fingerprints can be used to identify the uniqueness of an individual. However, whether the characteristics that make a brain distinguishable from others already exist at birth remains unknown. Here, we used neuroimaging data of preterm born neonates who were scanned twice during the perinatal period to assess the developing brain fingerprint. We found that 62% of the participants could be identified based on the congruence of the later structural connectome to the initial connectivity matrix derived from the earlier timepoint. In contrast, similarity between functional connectomes only allowed to identify 12% of the participants. These suggests that structural connectivity is more stable in early life and can represent a potential connectome fingerprint. Thus, a relatively stable structural connectome appears to support a changing functional connectome at a time when neonates must rapidly acquire new skills to adapt to their new environment.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Harmonised segmentation of neonatal brain MRI

Deep learning based medical image segmentation has shown great potential in becoming a key part of the clinical analysis pipeline. However, many of these models rely on the assumption that the train and test data come from the same distribution. This means that such methods cannot guarantee high quality predictions when the source and target domains are dissimilar due to different acquisition protocols, or biases in patient cohorts. Recently, unsupervised domain adaptation (DA) techniques have shown great potential in alleviating this problem by minimizing the shift between the source and target distributions, without requiring the use of labelled data in the target domain. In this work, we aim to predict tissue segmentation maps on T2-weighted (T2w) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of an unseen preterm-born neonatal population, which has both different acquisition parameters and population bias when compared to our training data. We achieve this by investigating two unsupervised DA techniques with the objective of finding the best solution for our problem. We compare the two methods with a baseline fully-supervised segmentation network and report our results in terms of Dice scores obtained on our ground truth test dataset. Moreover, we analyse tissue volumes and cortical thickness (CT) measures of the harmonised data on a subset of the population matched for gestational age (GA) at birth and postmenstrual age (PMA) at scan. Finally, we demonstrate the applicability of the harmonised cortical gray matter maps with an analysis comparing term and preterm-born neonates and a proof-of-principle investigation of the association between CT and a language outcome measure.

neuroscience↗