%0 Journal Article %A Brian B. Monson %A Zach Eaton-Rosen %A Kush Kapur %A Einat Liebenthal %A Abraham Brownell %A Christopher D. Smyser %A Cynthia E. Rogers %A Terrie E. Inder %A Simon K. Warfield %A Jeffrey J. Neil %T Differential rates of perinatal maturation of human primary and nonprimary auditory cortex %D 2018 %R 10.1523/ENEURO.0380-17.2017 %J eneuro %P ENEURO.0380-17.2017 %X Primary and nonprimary cerebral cortex mature along different timescales, however the differences between the rates of maturation of primary and nonprimary cortex are unclear. Cortical maturation can be measured through changes in tissue microstructure detectable by diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, diffusion tensor imaging was used to characterize the maturation of Heschl’s gyrus, which contains both primary and nonprimary auditory cortex, in 90 preterm infants between 26 and 42 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). The preterm infants were in different acoustical environments during their hospitalization: 46 in open ward beds, and 44 in single rooms. A control group consisted of 15 term-born infants. Diffusion parameters revealed that (1) changes in cortical microstructure that accompany cortical maturation had largely already occurred in primary auditory cortex by 28 weeks PMA, and (2) rapid changes were taking place in nonprimary cortex between 26 and 42 weeks PMA. At term equivalent PMA, diffusion parameters for auditory cortex were different between preterm infants and term control infants, reflecting either delayed maturation or injury. No effect of room type was observed. For the preterm group, disturbed maturation of nonprimary (but not primary) auditory cortex was associated with poorer language performance at age 2 years.Significance Statement Different brain regions mature at different rates, particularly early in development. Knowledge of when specific sensory brain regions are maturing is critical for understanding the susceptibility to external sensory influences (e.g., during critical periods) and potential for vulnerability to injury. Here we demonstrate in vivo that, during the perinatal period, human primary auditory cortex matures earlier than nonprimary auditory cortex, consistent with accounts of brain development from histology. However, we detect more rapid changes in nonprimary auditory cortex during this period. Our findings indicate that disruption of nonprimary cortex (but not primary cortex) maturation during this developmental period is associated with poorer childhood language development. Differential developmental timelines may render nonprimary sensory cortex more vulnerable. %U https://www.eneuro.org/content/eneuro/early/2018/01/15/ENEURO.0380-17.2017.full.pdf