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Neuropediatrics 2017; 48(01): 019-029
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1593531
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Involvement of Speed-of-Processing in Story Listening in Preschool Children: A Functional and Structural Connectivity Study

Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus
1   Educational Neuroimaging Center, Faculty of Education in Science and Technology, Technion, Haifa, Israel
2   Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Devision of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
3   Reading and Literacy Discovery Center, Devision of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio
,
Rola Farah
2   Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Devision of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
,
Mark DiFrancesco
2   Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Devision of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
,
Jennifer Vannest
2   Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Devision of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

19 May 2016

13 August 2016

Publication Date:
21 October 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Story listening in children relies on brain regions supporting speech perception, auditory word recognition, syntax, semantics, and discourse abilities, along with the ability to attend and process information (part of executive functions). Speed-of-processing is an early-developed executive function. We used functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to demonstrate the relationship between story listening and speed-of-processing in preschool-age children. Eighteen participants performed story-listening tasks during MRI scans. Functional and structural connectivity analysis was performed using the speed-of-processing scores as regressors. Activation in the superior frontal gyrus during story listening positively correlated with speed-of-processing scores. This region was functionally connected with the superior temporal gyrus, insula, and hippocampus. Fractional anisotropy in the inferior frontooccipital fasciculus, which connects the superior frontal and temporal gyri, was positively correlated with speed-of-processing scores. Our results suggest that speed-of-processing skills in preschool-age children are reflected in functional activation and connectivity during story listening and may act as a biomarker for future academic abilities.

Keywords

children - executive functions - magnetic resonance imaging - speed-of-processing - structural and functional connectivity - story listening

Funding

This study was funded by National Institutes of Health contract HHSN275200900018C to the Pediatric Functional Neuroimaging Research Network.


Supplementary Material

 

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