2024

Studying How Being Born Early Affects Cerebral Cortex Development in Babies

Background information.

The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain, playing a key role in memory, attention, perception, awareness, thought, language, and consciousness. Different parts of the cortex have specific functions: the temporal lobe handles hearing and memory, the occipital lobe processes visual information, the frontal lobe is involved in decision making and movement, and the parietal lobe integrates sensory information. In the last few months before birth and shortly after, the brain undergoes rapid development. Being born early (preterm) can interrupt this crucial period, potentially affecting lifelong brain function and development.

Research question.

We aimed to investigate how being born preterm affects the detailed structure of the brain at the time of normal birth (term-equivalent age) using a new measurement method called the Vogt-Bailey (VB) index.

Findings.

The study found that preterm babies have different microscopic details in brain structures in several areas compared to full-term babies, with more uniform structures in parts of the temporal, occipital, frontal, and parietal lobes. The VB index provided a detailed and reliable way to see these differences, offering better precision than previous methods. These findings were consistent across two different groups of babies, ensuring the reliability of the results.

Conclusion.

Understanding how preterm birth affects brain development can help identify early signs of potential cognitive or functional issues. This knowledge can guide interventions and support for preterm babies. Future studies could use the VB index to link early brain differences to long-term outcomes, leading to strategies that help preterm babies develop as healthily as possible.

A ball-bearing found in a child’s ear at a research MRI

Background information.

In this article, we discuss a child who attended his research MRI at five years of age and was found to have an unexpected 5mm ball bearing in his ear. It was found when he approached the MRI scanner, and the magnet dislodged the ball bearing. 

Description. ​​​

We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans regularly to study the brains development after preterm birth, and found they are generally very safe, with no radiation exposure. Metal “foreign bodies” and implants can be a safety risk when performing MRIs, because of the magnet strength involved in taking pictures of the brain. Risks are reduced by thorough safety checks, including questions about any possible metal, both intentionally put there by doctors or surgeons, and unintentionally through putting objects in ears or nostrils, or swallowing. We also use visual checks before starting a scan.  We then discuss some of the wider research about making MRI scans as safe as possible for children.

Since this child’s ball bearing, we now additionally use a magnet wand to check for any metal objects in ears or nostrils before children enter the MRI scanner.

Conclusion.

This project has shown the importance of thorough safety screening, particularly in young children or those with cognitive or behavioural problems who are more likely to have “foreign bodies”, but that there is no perfect screening method to prevent all unexpected metal. We hope that sharing our experience will contribute to MRI safety worldwide.