White Matter Vulnerability to Premature Birth: Machine Learning-Derived Microstructural Signatures and Sensory Integration Correlates

Using data from the Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study 2.0 Data Release, we plan to investigate white matter microstructural vulnerabilities to premature birth using both conventional (DTI) and advanced neuroimaging methods (MAPMRI). Conventional DTI methods of quantifying white matter microstructure will aid in replication of previous findings. However, we hypothesize that MAPMRI, a multi-compartment diffusion model, will prove superior to DTI by advancing our understanding of how prematurity affects white matter due to its ability to provide more specific characterization of underlying microstructure. Next, we plan to investigate neurobehavioral correlates of white matter tracts that demonstrate vulnerability to prematurity. Specifically, we will use a sensory processing measure, as the sensory systems are foundational to more complex behaviors.