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Selected Works of Emma Duerden
Article
Early protein intake predicts functional connectivity and neurocognition in preterm born children
Scientific Reports
  • Emma G. Duerden, The University of Western Ontario
  • Benjamin Thompson, University of Waterloo
  • Tanya Poppe, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Jane Alsweiler, University of Auckland
  • Greg Gamble, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Yannan Jiang, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Myra Leung, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Anna C. Tottman, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Trecia Wouldes, University of Auckland
  • Steven P. Miller, Hospital for Sick Children University of Toronto
  • Jane E. Harding, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Jane M. Alsweiler, University of Auckland
  • Janene B. Biggs, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Coila Bevan, University of Auckland
  • Joanna M. Black, University of Auckland
  • Frank H. Bloomfield, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Kelly Fredell, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Greg D. Gamble, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Jane E. Harding, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Sabine Huth, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Yannan Jiang, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Christine Kevan, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Myra Leung, University of Auckland
  • Geraint Phillips, University of Auckland
  • Tanya Poppe, University of Auckland
  • Jennifer A. Rogers, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Heather Stewart, University of Auckland, Liggins Institute
  • Benjamin S. Thompson, University of Waterloo
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Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2021
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1038/s41598-021-83125-z
Disciplines
Abstract

© 2021, The Author(s). Nutritional intake can promote early neonatal brain development in very preterm born neonates (< 32 weeks’ gestation). In a group of 7-year-old very preterm born children followed since birth, we examined whether early nutrient intake in the first weeks of life would be associated with long-term brain function and neurocognitive skills at school age. Children underwent resting-state functional MRI (fMRI), intelligence testing (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 5th Ed) and visual-motor processing (Beery-Buktenica, 5th Ed) at 7 years. Relationships were assessed between neonatal macronutrient intakes, functional connectivity strength between thalamic and default mode networks (DMN), and neuro-cognitive function using multivariable regression. Greater functional connectivity strength between thalamic networks and DMN was associated with greater intake of protein in the first week (β = 0.17; 95% CI 0.11, 0.23, p < 0.001) but lower intakes of fat (β = − 0.06; 95% CI − 0.09, − 0.02, p = 0.001) and carbohydrates (β = − 0.03; 95% CI − 0.04, − 0.01, p = 0.003). Connectivity strength was also associated with protein intake during the first month (β = 0.22; 95% CI 0.06, 0.37, p = 0.006). Importantly, greater thalamic-DMN connectivity strength was associated with higher processing speed indices (β = 26.9; 95% CI 4.21, 49.49, p = 0.02) and visual processing scores (β = 9.03; 95% CI 2.27, 15.79, p = 0.009). Optimizing early protein intake may contribute to promoting long-term brain health in preterm-born children.

Citation Information

Duerden, E.G., Thompson, B., Poppe, T. et al. Early protein intake predicts functional connectivity and neurocognition in preterm born children. Sci Rep 11, 4085 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-83125-z