Neuroscience 2004 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 1029.10 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Development of brain myelination patterns in normal and developmentally delayed children as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). |
| Authors: |
Maricich, S. M.*1
; Azizi, P.2
; Jones, J. Y.3
; Morriss, M. C.3
; Hunter, J. V.3
; Contant, C. F.4
; Miller, G.1
1Child Neurol., Texas Childrens' Hosp., Houston, TX 2Developmental Pediatrics, Texas Childrens' Hosp., Houston, TX 3Neuroradiology, Texas Childrens' Hosp., Houston, TX 4TX, 6621 Fannin Suite CC1710, 77030, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Developmental Disorders -- Genetic |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions<br />- Developmental Disorders<br />-- Acquired |
| Session: |
1029. Developmental Disorders: Mental Retardation II Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Wednesday, October 27, 2004 2:00 PM-3:00 PM |
| Location: | San Diego Convention Center - Hall A-H, Board # EEE31 |
| Keywords: | mental retardation, radiology, maturation, child neurology |
Background: Myelination proceeds sequentially in the developing postnatal human brain. It has been proposed that children with developmental delay (DD) have a temporal delay of this pattern. However, there are no controlled, blinded studies comparing the development of myelination in normal and DD children.
Hypothesis: Delays in subcortical myelination accompany DD.
Methods: Chart review identified 106 children (36 controls, 70 DD) aged 17-46 months. All children had a brain MRI for evaluation of DD or for another condition (controls). DD was defined as psychomotor retardation diagnosed by clinical examination and/or psychometric testing; only children with idiopathic DD were included. Children with diseases that affect white matter (sickle cell disease, leukodystrophies, etc) or overt intracranial lesions/malformations were excluded. Three board-certified pediatric neuroradiologists who were blinded to the patients’ diagnoses and to each others readings examined axial T2-weighted images. Two scoring systems, one previously reported and one developed at TCH, were used to evaluate myelination in 5 different brain regions (frontal, temporal, parietal, peritrigonal and subcortical U-fibers). Data was analyzed at both the intra- and inter-observer levels.
Results: Intra-observer comparisons revealed no differences in the timing or extent of myelination between control and DD groups in any of the regions examined. Despite the use of standardized scoring systems, there was inter-observer variation in assessment of myelination.
Conclusions: We found no correlation between clinically-diagnosed DD and the timing of myelination as seen on MRI. Neuroimaging evaluation of myelination maturity may not be an adequate marker of DD in young children.
Hypothesis: Delays in subcortical myelination accompany DD.
Methods: Chart review identified 106 children (36 controls, 70 DD) aged 17-46 months. All children had a brain MRI for evaluation of DD or for another condition (controls). DD was defined as psychomotor retardation diagnosed by clinical examination and/or psychometric testing; only children with idiopathic DD were included. Children with diseases that affect white matter (sickle cell disease, leukodystrophies, etc) or overt intracranial lesions/malformations were excluded. Three board-certified pediatric neuroradiologists who were blinded to the patients’ diagnoses and to each others readings examined axial T2-weighted images. Two scoring systems, one previously reported and one developed at TCH, were used to evaluate myelination in 5 different brain regions (frontal, temporal, parietal, peritrigonal and subcortical U-fibers). Data was analyzed at both the intra- and inter-observer levels.
Results: Intra-observer comparisons revealed no differences in the timing or extent of myelination between control and DD groups in any of the regions examined. Despite the use of standardized scoring systems, there was inter-observer variation in assessment of myelination.
Conclusions: We found no correlation between clinically-diagnosed DD and the timing of myelination as seen on MRI. Neuroimaging evaluation of myelination maturity may not be an adequate marker of DD in young children.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2004 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
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