Tractometry asymmetries of corticospinal tracts are associated to neuromotor behavior in infants with perinatal brain injury

Motivation: The Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) provides insight into early neuromotor development and supports early detection of cerebral palsy (CP). Interactions between perinatal brain injury (PBI) recovery, corticospinal tract (CST) microstructure, and resultant motor outcome in infants are not well understood. Goal(s): Examine CST microstructure present during early neuromotor development in infants with PBI. Approach: Relationships between CST microstructure asymmetries and HINE asymmetry scores were estimated for 12 infants with PBI enrolled in a longitudinal observational research study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Results: Tract microstructure asymmetries relate to neuromotor behavior. This relationship depends on position along the tract. Impact: This methodology integrates clinical and advanced neuroimaging assessments to better understand and predict motor outcomes in infants with perinatal brain injuries. Such multi-modal assessment may enhance the accuracy of early diagnosis and guide interventions.