The relationship between cognitive impairment and changes in cortical thickness and surface area of brain regions in patients with preeclampsia

Motivation: Hypoxia in preeclampsia can lead to structural damage of gray matter and white matter, and preeclampsia is associated with cognitive decline and brain atrophy. Goal(s): The objective of this study was to compare cortical thickness and surface area of each brain region of patients with preeclampsia a (PE)nd healthy-term controls to explore the causative factors of cognitive impairment in PE patients. Approach: Preprocessing of structural and functional MRI data was performed to obtain the cortical thickness and surface area. Results: Cognitive decline in PE patients is mainly associated with changes in the cortical surface area of R-superior frontal and L-pars opercularis. Impact: The thickness of R-superior frontal is a signal of cognitive impairment in patients, which provides appropriate intervention timing and targets for clinical practice. The thickness of L-pars opercularis mediates the effects of pre-pregnancy BMI and MAP on cognitive impairment.