Association of Cerebral Blood Flow and Brain Tissue Relaxation Time With Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Preterm Neonates

Objectives Both cerebral blood flow (CBF) and brain tissue relaxation times are known to reflect maturation in the neonatal brain. However, we do not yet know if these factors are associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes. The objective of this study was to acquire CBF and relaxation time in preterm neonates, using multidelay arterial spin labeling and synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and show their association with later neurodevelopmental outcomes. Materials and Methods In this prospective study, preterm neonates were recruited, and multidelay arterial spin labeling and synthetic MRI were performed between September 2017 and December 2018. These neonates underwent the Bayley Scales of Infant Development test at 18 months of age, and both cognitive and motor outcome scores were measured. Transit time–corrected CBF and T1 and T2 relaxation time values were measured for different brain regions. The measured values were correlated with gestational age (GA) at birth and corrected GA at the MRI scan. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed for the measured values and neurodevelopmental outcome scores. Results Forty-nine neonates (median [interquartile range] GA, 30 [2] weeks, 209 [17] days; 28 boys) underwent MRI scans at or near term-equivalent age (median [interquartile range] corrected GA, 37 [2] weeks, 258 [14] days). Transit time–corrected CBF (coefficient, 0.31–0.59) and relaxation time (coefficient, −0.39 to −0.86) values showed significant correlation with corrected GA but not with GA. After controlling for GA, the frontal white matter CBF in preterm neonates showed a negative relationship with cognitive outcome scores (β = −0.97; P = 0.029). Frontal white matter T1 relaxation times showed a positive relationship with cognitive outcome scores (β = 0.03; P = 0.025) after controlling for GA. Conclusions Higher CBF values and lower T1 relaxation times in frontal white matter were associated with poorer cognitive outcomes. As quantitative neuroimaging markers, CBF and relaxation times may help predict neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm neonates.