Measuring Brain Activity of School Age Children

The investigators will conduct an observational study comparing two groups of children to
determine whether differences in birth events and oxygen levels during the newborn period
lead to structural and functional impairment within the brain's dopaminergic pathways and the
cortical regions innervated by those pathways. The dopaminergic system is involved in
modulating motor control and cognitive function.

Using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), structural integrity of dopaminergic
circuits will be quantified and compared in post-hypoxic former preterm children versus
healthy control children born at term closely matched by age/sex/race.

Functional activity during executive function tasks will be quantified and compared in
post-hypoxic former preterm children versus healthy control children born at term using
functional magnetic resonance imaging-blood oxygen level dependent (fMRI-BOLD) with high
density electroencephalography (HD-EEG). Assessment of motor function (grooved pegboard task)
will also be performed.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. For Study Group Children: Birth gestational age between 23-28 weeks and birth weight
appropriate for gestational age (AGA) with available oxygen saturation level data
recorded continuously from the first day of life to 8 weeks postnatal age (n=20)

2. For Healthy Control Children: Birth gestational age ≥ 38 weeks gestation and birth
weight appropriate for term gestation (n=10) matched by age/sex/race to participating
cohort children.

3. Born in years 2005-2009 (age range will be 8-15 years during the funding period)

4. Ability of the child to provide assent, with the parent/legal guardian able to provide
written informed consent for study procedures.

5. Sensory and motor capability to complete study tasks (i.e. Grooved Pegboard test;
verbal n-back word memory test). Mental Development index must be > 80 at 2-year-old
follow-up for preterm cohort.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current history of epilepsy to avoid confounding of EEG data

2. Past history of concussion requiring medical treatment to avoid confounding of MRI
data

3. Current diagnosis of autism.

4. Child who suffers from claustrophobia (per parent report).

5. Unable to participate in neuroimaging due to claustrophobia, or medical
contraindication to MRI including any implanted medical device, dental braces,
surgical clips for aneurysms in the head, heart valve prostheses, electrodes or other
metallic objects, pregnancy.

6. Healthy control children who were treated in the Neonatal ICU in the newborn period
for breathing difficulties.

7. Healthy control children who were hospitalized for breathing problems in the first 3
months of infancy.