How neurovascular coupling develops in preterm-born neonates has been largely neglected in scientific research. We measured visually evoked (flicker light) hemodynamic responses (HRs) in preterm-born neonates ( n = 25 , gestational age: 31.71 ± 3.37 weeks, postnatal age: 25.48 ± 23.94 days) at the visual cortex (VC) and left frontotemporal lobe (FTL) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) neuroimaging. We found that the HR characteristics show a large intersubject variability but could be classified into three groups according to the changes of oxyhemoglobin concentration at the VC [(A) increase, (B) decrease, or (C) inconclusive]. In groups A and B, the HRs at the left FTL were correlated with those at the VC, indicating the presence of a frontotemporal-occipital functional connectivity. Neonates in group A had a higher weight at measurement compared to those in group B, and had the lowest baseline total hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit compared to group C. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first fNIRS study showing (1) that the HRs of preterm-born neonates need to be classified into subgroups, (2) that the subgroups differed in terms of weight at measurement, and (3) that HRs can be observed also at the FTL during visual stimulation. These findings add insights into how neurovascular coupling develops in preterm-born neonates.

中文翻译：

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早产新生儿对视觉刺激的脑血流动力学反应：根据亚组分类和额颞枕功能连接分析。

在科学研究中，神经血管偶联如何在早产新生儿中发展。我们在视觉皮层（VC）和左额颞叶测量了早产新生儿（n = 25，胎龄：31.71±3.37周，产后年龄：25.48±23.94天）的视觉诱发（闪烁）血液动力学反应（HRs）。 （FTL）使用功能性近红外光谱（fNIRS）神经成像。我们发现，HR特征显示出较大的受试者间变异性，但可以根据VC处氧合血红蛋白浓度的变化将其分为三类[（A）增加，（B）减少或（C）不确定）。在A组和B组中，左FTL的HR与VC的HR相关，表明存在额颞枕功能连接。与B组相比，A组新生儿的测量体重较高，并且基线总血红蛋白浓度和血细胞比容最低，与C组相比。据我们所知，这是第一项fNIRS研究，显示（1）需要将早产新生儿的HR分为亚组，（2）这些亚组的体重在测量时有所不同，并且（3）在视觉刺激期间也可以在FTL观察到HR。这些发现增加了对早产新生儿神经血管偶联如何发展的见解。（2）这些亚组在测量时的体重方面有所不同，（3）在视觉刺激期间在FTL上也可以观察到HR。这些发现为早产新生儿如何发展神经血管耦合提供了见识。（2）这些亚组在测量时的体重方面有所不同，（3）在视觉刺激期间在FTL上也可以观察到HR。这些发现增加了对早产新生儿神经血管偶联如何发展的见解。