The influence of motor function on processing speed in preterm and term-born children |
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| Authors: | L. A. Schneider N. R. Burns L. C. Giles T. J. Nettelbeck I. L. Hudson M. C. Ridding |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics &2. Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;3. School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;4. School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;5. School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Abstract: | This study investigates the relationship between motor function and processing speed in preterm children. Processing speed was compared in 145 adolescents, born 25–41 weeks gestational age, utilizing tasks including differing motor demands. The influence of motor cortex excitability and functional motor skills on task performance was assessed. For tasks with motoric demands, differences in performance between preterm and term-born children were mediated by the relationship between gestational age, corticomotor excitability, and motor function. There were no differences in non-motor processing speed task performance between preterm and term-born children. Measures of processing speed may be confounded by a timed motor component. |
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| Keywords: | Premature Intellectual Intelligence Neurodevelopment Corticomotor Excitability TMS |
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