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01-07-2017 | Magnetic Resonance

Structural brain alterations of Down’s syndrome in early childhood evaluation by DTI and volumetric analyses

Authors: Hediye Pınar Gunbey, Meltem Ceyhan Bilgici, Kerim Aslan, Arzu Ceylan Has, Methiye Gonul Ogur, Aslıhan Alhan, Lutfi Incesu

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 7/2017

Abstract

Objectives

To provide an initial assessment of white matter (WM) integrity with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and the accompanying volumetric changes in WM and grey matter (GM) through volumetric analyses of young children with Down’s syndrome (DS).

Methods

Ten children with DS and eight healthy control subjects were included in the study. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) were used in the DTI study for whole-brain voxelwise analysis of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of WM. Volumetric analyses were performed with an automated segmentation method to obtain regional measurements of cortical volumes.

Results

Children with DS showed significantly reduced FA in association tracts of the fronto-temporo-occipital regions as well as the corpus callosum (CC) and anterior limb of the internal capsule (p < 0.05). Volumetric reductions included total cortical GM, cerebellar GM and WM volume, basal ganglia, thalamus, brainstem and CC in DS compared with controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

These preliminary results suggest that DTI and volumetric analyses may reflect the earliest complementary changes of the neurodevelopmental delay in children with DS and can serve as surrogate biomarkers of the specific elements of WM and GM integrity for cognitive development.

Key Points

• DS is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability.

• WM and GM structural alterations represent the neurological features of DS.

• DTI may identify the earliest aging process changes.

• DTI-volumetric analyses can serve as surrogate biomarkers of neurodevelopment in DS.

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Title: Structural brain alterations of Down’s syndrome in early childhood evaluation by DTI and volumetric analyses
Authors: Hediye Pınar Gunbey
Meltem Ceyhan Bilgici
Kerim Aslan
Arzu Ceylan Has
Methiye Gonul Ogur
Aslıhan Alhan
Lutfi Incesu
Publication date: 01-07-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 7/2017
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-016-4626-6

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Springer Medicine

Structural brain alterations of Down’s syndrome in early childhood evaluation by DTI and volumetric analyses

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

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