Prenatal Adversity and Neonatal Brain Connectivity Relate to Emerging Executive Function at Age 2 Years.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Early life adversity alters the structure and function of higher-order brain networks that subserve executive function (EF). The extent that prenatal exposure to adversity and neonatal white matter (WM) microstructure and resting-state functional connectivity (rs-fc) underlie problems in emerging EF remains unclear.

Method

This prospective study includes 164 infants (45% female, 85% term-born) who were recruited prenatally and underwent neonatal diffusion and rs-fc magnetic resonance imaging scans. Social disadvantage and maternal psychosocial stress were assessed in the prenatal period. At age 2 years, children completed the Minnesota Executive Function Scale. Multivariable regression, moderation, and mediation analyses examined associations between prenatal adver

SUBMITTER: Lean RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12284968 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature