Functional connectivity of motor resting-state networks in infants who are HIV-exposed uninfected in a South African birth cohort study

Motivation: Children who are HIV-exposed uninfected present with an increased risk of adverse motor developmental outcomes. Little is known about the pathophysiological mechanisms governing these outcomes. Goal(s): This study aimed to investigate functional connectivity within the motor resting-state network in infants who are HIV-exposed uninfected using resting-state functional MRI. Approach: We used Group Independent Component Analysis to identify the motor resting-state network and multivariate linear regression was used to compare its functional connectivity between groups. Results: Infants who are HIV-exposed uninfected showed significant connectivity alterations in 26 connections within the motor resting-state network when compared to infants who are unexposed. Impact: Functional connectivity alterations observed in the motor resting-state network could be linked to adverse motor developmental outcomes in children who are HIV-exposed uninfected. Future research will look at associations between functional connectivity of motor resting state network and motor development.