Functional Connectivity Alteration in Motor Network in the Adolescent Brain Following Neonatal Intermittent Hypoxia

Motivation: Retrospective researches have linked the neonatal intermittent hypoxia (IH) events with motor impairment at 18 months of corrected age. It is critical to investigate whether the association lasts into later stages and explore the long-term brain alteration following neonatal IH. Goal(s): To assess the alteration in the motor network during adolescence following neonatal IH. Approach: Neonatal IH was induced at postnatal 7 days. Structural and functional MRI in the brain were measured during adolescence. Results: Our finding suggests that functional alteration with the preserved microstructure in the motor network may persist in the developing brain following neonatal IH. Impact: Our findings suggest the alteration in the motor network following neonatal intermittent hypoxia (IH) may last during adolescence. This underscores the necessity for longitudinal study to investigate long-term impairment following neonatal IH, informing potential interventions for affected individuals.