Greater Neighborhood Disadvantage Is Associated with Alterations in Fetal Functional Brain Network Structure.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine the association between neighborhood disadvantage (ND) and functional brain development of in utero fetuses.

Study design

We conducted an observational study using Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores to assess the impact of ND on a prospectively recruited sample of healthy pregnant women from Washington, DC. Using 79 functional magnetic resonance imaging scans from 68 healthy pregnancies at a mean gestational age of 33.12 weeks, we characterized the overall functional brain network structure using a graph metric approach. We used linear mixed effects models to assess the relationship between SVI and gestational age on 5 graph metrics, adjusting for multiple scans.

Results

Exposure to greater ND was associated with less well integrated functi

SUBMITTER: Cook KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11499008 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature