Relationship between hippocampal subfield volumes and memory function in adults born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW)

Abstract

Background: Being born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW) is related to aberrant brain development. Hippocampus is a brain region particularly vulnerable to injury, for instance from consequences following preterm birth. The hippocampus is a complex structure with distinct subfields related to specific memory functions which are differently affected by neuropathological conditions. The relationship between deviations in hippocampal subfields and memory function has not been studied in adults born preterm with VLBW previously.