Early Experience Alters Brain Function and Structure

TLDR

The study investigates how early experience, via the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP), affects brain function and structure in preterm infants. A randomized trial enrolled 30 preterm infants (28–33 weeks GA), assigning 16 to NIDCAP initiated within 72 h and continued to 2 weeks corrected age, and 14 to usual care; both groups were evaluated at 2 weeks and 9 months corrected age for neurobehavior, EEG coherence, MRI diffusion tensor imaging, and transverse relaxation time. Infants receiving NIDCAP showed superior neurobehavioral performance, greater frontal‑occipital EEG coherence, higher anisotropy in the left internal capsule, and improved 9‑month outcomes, indicating that enhanced early experience promotes more mature brain structure and function.

Abstract

To investigate the effects of early experience on brain function and structure.A randomized clinical trial tested the neurodevelopmental effectiveness of the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP). Thirty preterm infants, 28 to 33 weeks' gestational age (GA) at birth and free of known developmental risk factors, participated in the trial. NIDCAP was initiated within 72 hours of intensive care unit admission and continued to the age of 2 weeks, corrected for prematurity. Control (14) and experimental (16) infants were assessed at 2 weeks' and 9 months' corrected age on health status, growth, and neurobehavior, and at 2 weeks' corrected age additionally on electroencephalogram spectral coherence, magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging, and measurements of transverse relaxation time.The groups were medically and demographically comparable before as well as after the treatment. However, the experimental group showed significantly better neurobehavioral functioning, increased coherence between frontal and a broad spectrum of mainly occipital brain regions, and higher relative anisotropy in left internal capsule, with a trend for right internal capsule and frontal white matter. Transverse relaxation time showed no difference. Behavioral function was improved also at 9 months' corrected age. The relationship among the 3 neurodevelopmental domains was significant. The results indicated consistently better function and more mature fiber structure for experimental infants compared with their controls.This is the first in vivo evidence of enhanced brain function and structure due to the NIDCAP. The study demonstrates that quality of experience before term may influence brain development significantly.