Subject and group description.

GA – gestational age, PMA – postmenstrual age. Group 1. Premature neonates (<34 weeks gestational age) excluding: (i) clinical evidence of a congenital malformation or syndrome, (ii) congenital TORCH infection, (iii) newborns too clinically unstable for transport to the MRI scanner. Groups 2 and 3. Term-born neonates with GA>36 weeks, who had any one of the following: (i) umbilical cord arterial blood pH<7.1, (ii) umbilical cord arterial blood base excess>−10, (iii) Apgar score <5 at 5 minutes of age, (iv) post-asphyxia neonatal encephalopathy syndrome that includes stupor, diminished spontaneous movement, and hypotonia. Group 4. Healthy adults. The third group – six-month-old infants – were under anesthesia during the MRI scan. Some neonates were sedated.