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Abstract #0905

Relationship Between Optic Radiation Microstructure and Visual Function in Adolescents Born Extremely Preterm or Extremely Low Birth Weight

Claire E. Kelly1, 2, Jeannie L.Y. Cheong, 13, Carly Molloy1, Peter J. Anderson1, Alan Connelly4, Lex W. Doyle, 13, Deanne K. Thompson1, 2

1Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; 2University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; 3Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; 4Melbourne Brain Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia

Abnormal optic radiation microstructure may underlie visual impairments in preterm adolescents. Optic radiations were tracked with Constrained Spherical Deconvolution and average fractional anisotropy and axial, radial and mean diffusivity were obtained in 196 extremely preterm/extremely low birth weight adolescents and 144 normal birth weight controls from the Victorian Infant Collaborative Studies (VICS). Preterm adolescents displayed higher axial, radial and mean diffusivity than controls. Abnormal diffusion measures were associated with impaired visual acuity in the preterm group. Results suggest that optic radiation microstructural abnormalities in preterm populations persist into adolescence and are important contributors to impaired visual function.

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Keywords

abnormal abnormalities absolute acuity adjusted adjusting adolescents aimed analyses anisotropy aspects assessment axial binocular birth born brain certain clearer clinically cohort confidence consistent consistently constrained controls correlated cortex cystic deconvolution delineate depth despite develop development differ diffusion diffusivity directly displayed dotted efficient exhibit extremely form fractional function furthermore gestation grade highlighting hospital impaired impairment impairments importance important influence injury institute intervals investigate known lasting limit linear linked long major mature measures movements neonatal neonates normally omitted optic outcome perception perinatal peter poor predicts preventing primary probabilistic problems radial radiation radiations reflect regression relationship risk royal severe solid spherical structural suggesting tensor term transfer unadjusted understanding underwent variables various visual weeks women