Preterm Birth Alters Language Networks in Developing Brain

Laura Ment of Yale University School of Medicine in the U.S. will use magnetic resonance imaging to identify functional connectivity defects underlying language development in the brains of preterm infants, and find the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved. Preterm births are common worldwide, and lead to long-term disabilities, particularly in language development. By identifying the underlying cerebral connectivity defects and the molecular factors involved, they hope to use them as diagnostics and as aids for monitoring the effect of treatments.