Differential microstructural development within sensorimotor cortical regions: A diffusion MRI study in preterm and full-term infants.

ABSTRACT: The sensorimotor system develops early in utero and supports the emergence of body representations critical for perception, action, and interaction with environment. While somatotopic protomaps are already developed in the primary somatosensory and motor cortices in late pregnancy, little is known about the anatomical substrates of this functional specialization. In this study, we aimed to decipher the microstructural properties of these regions in the developing brain. Using advanced diffusion MRI and post-processing tools, we parcellated the pre- and post-central gyri into microstructurally distinct clusters along the lateral-to-medial axis in 25 full-term neonates, confirming the early differentiation within sensorimotor regions. These clusters were further analyzed in 59 preterm infant

SUBMITTER: Brandstaetter A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12446505 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature