bioRxiv Science⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/485474

Brain volumes of very low birth weight infants measured by two dimensional cranial ultrasonography, a prospective cohort study

Kadioglu, G.·Canpolat, F. E.·Buyuktiryaki, M.·Kanmaz Kutman, H. G.·Tayman, C.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

BackgroundCranial ultrasonography is the main neuroimaging technique for very low birth weight infants. Brain volume is a very important information about central nervous system of preterm babies.\n\nThis study aimed to evaluate brain volumes of preterm infants with two dimensional measurements of cranial ultrasonography.\n\nMethodsIntracranial height, anteroposterior diameter, bi-parietal diamater, ventricular height, thalamo-occipital distance and ventricular index measured with routine cranial ultrasonographic scanning. Brain considered a spheric, ellipsoid model and estimated absolute brain volume (EABV) calculated by substracting two lateral ventricular volumes from the total brain volume.\n\nResultsOne hundred and twenty one preterm infants under a birthweight of 1500 g and 32 weeks of gestational age included in this study. Mean gestational age of study population was 27,7 weeks, and mean birthweight was 1057 grams.\n\nTwenty two of 121 infants had dilated ventricle, in this group EABV was lower than normal group (202 {+/-} 58 cm3 vs 250 {+/-} 53 cm3, respectively, p<0.01). Advanced resuscitation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and late onset sepsis found to be independent risk factors for low brain volume in our data.\n\nConclusionsEstimated absolute brain volume could be calculated and estimated by two dimensional measurements with transfontanel ultrasonography.

Source connections

Explore related subjects

clinical trialsPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Kadioglu, G., Canpolat, F. E., Buyuktiryaki, M., Kanmaz Kutman, H. G., Tayman, C.. 2018-12-07. Brain volumes of very low birth weight infants measured by two dimensional cranial ultrasonography, a prospective cohort study. https://doi.org/10.1101/485474

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2018

Effects of daily L-dopa administration on learning and brain structure in older adults undergoing four weeks of cognitive training: a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BackgroundCognitive aging creates major individual and societal burden, motivating search for treatment and preventive care strategies. Behavioural interventions can improve cognitive performance in older age, but effects are small. Basic research has implicated dopaminergic signaling in plasticity. We investigated whether transient enhancement of dopaminergic neurotransmission via administration of L-dopa improves effects of cognitive training on performance. MethodsParticipants for this randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial were recruited via newspaper advertisements. Inclusion criteria were: age of 65-75 years, Mini-Mental State Examination score >25, absence of serious medical conditions. Eligible subjects were randomly allocated to either receive 100/25mg L-dopa/benserazide or placebo prior to each of twenty cognitive training sessions administered during a four-week period. Participants and staff were masked to group assignment. Primary outcomes were latent variables of spatial and verbal fluid intelligence. This trial was preregistered at the European Clinical Trial Registry, EudraCT#2016-000891-54. FindingsBetween January 1st and October 10th 2017, we screened 235 people from the population in Stockholm, Sweden and randomly assigned 63 eligible subjects to receive L-dopa (n=32) or placebo (n=31) during cognitive training. Compared to the placebo group, subjects receiving L-dopa improved less in spatial intelligence (-0{middle dot}267 SDs; 95% CI [-0{middle dot}498, -0{middle dot}036]; p=0{middle dot}024). Change in verbal intelligence did not significantly differ between the groups (-0{middle dot}081 SDs, 95% CI [-0{middle dot}242, 0{middle dot}080]; p=0{middle dot}323). Adverse events occurred for 10 subjects (31%) in the active and for 7 participants (23%) in the control groups. InterpretationThe results speak against early pharmacological interventions in older healthy adults to improve cognitive functions by targeting the dopaminergic system and provide no support for learning-enhancing properties of L-dopa supplements. The findings warrant closer investigation about the cognitive effects of early dopamine-replacement therapy in neurological disorders. FundingEuropean Research Council (ERC Grant agreement #617280-REBOOT), Wallenberg Clinical Scholars, and Stiftelse Stockholms Sjukhem. RESEARCH IN CONTEXTO_ST_ABSEvidence before this studyC_ST_ABSWhilst pharmacological treatments have so far been largely unsuccessful in making an impact on age-related cognitive decline, recent findings have suggested small improvements of cognitive performance in older people by combining cognitive training with a healthy diet and aerobic exercises. Both exercise and dietary factors may exhibit plasticity-enhancing properties, and therefore increase effectiveness of cognitive training. In related basic research, dopaminergic signaling has been implicated in brain plasticity. An extensive PubMed search was conducted during the preparatory stage of the study (September 2014-July 2016) to investigate the role of dopamine signaling in neural plasticity and learning, as well as the effects of its deterioration on these characteristics in aging and neurodegenerative disorders. As a result, we found a substantial number of studies reporting acute improvements in cognitive performance and learning by administration of exogenous dopamine precursor L-dopa. A similar search was conducted specifically for this drug to evaluate its pharmacological and safety profile. We found a large body of basic research on both animal models and humans that supported the role of dopamine signaling in learning and plasticity. In addition, two smaller studies reported promising effects of repeated L-dopa administration on learning in the healthy younger population. In all studies, standard small-dose (100mg) L-dopa interventions were safe and well-tolerated. Added value of this studyOur study is the first of its kind to evaluate effects of repeated pro-dopaminergic medication on learning during cognitive training and cognitive performance in healthy older adults. Our results do not support the hypothesis of plasticity- and learning-promoting effects of enhanced dopaminergic neurotransmission by administration of exogenous dopamine precursor L-dopa in the healthy older population. The findings indicate that L-dopa treatment may in fact be detrimental to learning and cognitive performance and lead to structural brain changes within the dopaminergic circuit. Implications of all the available evidenceThe results put constraints on the hypothesis of a key role of the deteriorated dopaminergic system in age-related decline of learning abilities, and speak against early pharmacological interventions in older healthy adults to improve cognitive functions by targeting the dopaminergic system. Our findings also raise concerns about usefulness of novel L-dopa-containing supplements that claim to have neuroprotective and learning-enhancing properties, and present an urgent need to carefully investigate the cognitive outcomes of early pro-dopaminergic interventions in clinical populations often receiving substantially larger doses of L-dopa.

clinical trials↗
bioRxiv2018

The effect of dietary intervention on inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes. An analysis of the Lifestyle Over and Above Drugs in Diabetes (LOADD) study

Ninety-three participants with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes despite optimized drug therapy were randomised to receive intensive dietary advice or usual care for six months. Following dietary intervention a significant reduction in interleukin-18 levels was observed, with a ratio of change (95% CI) of 0.90 (0.82-0.99); p = 0.033. Changes in IL-18 correlated with changes in neopterin, r = 0.299 (p = 0.009)

clinical trials↗
bioRxiv2018

Long-Term Effects of a Novel Continuous Remote Care Intervention Including Nutritional Ketosis for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A 2-year Non-randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVEStudies on long-term sustainability of low-carbohydrate approaches to treat diabetes are limited. We aim to assess the effects of a continuous care intervention (CCI) on retention, glycemic control, weight, body composition, cardiovascular, liver, kidney, thyroid, inflammatory markers, diabetes medication usage and disease outcomes at 2 years in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSAn open label, non-randomized, controlled study with 262 and 87 participants with T2D were enrolled in the CCI and usual care (UC) groups, respectively. RESULTSSignificant changes from baseline to 2 years in the CCI group included: HbA1c (-12% from 7.7{+/-}0.1%); fasting glucose (-18% from 163.67{+/-}3.90 mg/dL); fasting insulin (-42% from 27.73{+/-}1.26 pmol L-1); weight (-10% from 114.56{+/-}0.60 kg); systolic blood pressure (-4% from 131.7{+/-}0.9 mmHg); diastolic blood pressure (-4% from 81.8{+/-}0.5 mmHg); triglycerides (-22% from 197.2{+/-}9.1 mg/dL); HDL-C (+19% from 41.8{+/-}0.9 mg/dL), and liver alanine transaminase (-21% from 29.16{+/-}0.97 U/L). Spine bone mineral density in the CCI group was unchanged. Glycemic control medication use (excluding metformin) among CCI participants declined (from 56.9% to 26.8%, P=1.3x10-11) including prescribed insulin (-62%) and sulfonylureas (-100%). The UC group had no significant changes in these parameters (except uric acid and anion gap) or diabetes medication use. There was also significant resolution of diabetes (reversal, 53.5%; remission, 17.6%) in the CCI group but not in UC. All the reported improvements had p-values <0.00012. CONCLUSIONSThe CCI sustained long-term beneficial effects on multiple clinical markers of diabetes and cardiometabolic health at 2 years while utilizing less medication. The intervention was also effective in the resolution of diabetes and visceral obesity, with no adverse effect on bone health. TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicaltrials.gov NCT02519309 DATA SHARINGThe complete data and statistical codes are available upon reasonable request. Conflicts of InterestsSJA, RNA, SJH, ALM, NHB, SDP and JPM are employed by Virta Health Corp and were offered stock options. SDP and JSV are founders of Virta Health Corp. WWC has no conflict of interest to declare. Financial supportVirta Health Corp. is the study sponsor. Author contributionsS.J.A, R.N.A, and J.P.M drafted the manuscript. S.J.A, R.N.A, A.L.M, N.H.B, and S.J.H participated in data acquisition and compiling. R.N.A and S.J.A analyzed the data. J.P.M, A.L.M, N.H.B, W.W.C, R.N.A, S.J.A, S.J.H, S.D.P and J.S.V edited the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript. Abbreviations

clinical trials↗