Cerebral structure on magnetic resonance imaging in language- and learning-impaired children.
Using magnetic resonance imaging 20 language- and learning-impaired children were compared with 12 normal control subjects. Gross brain structure was remarkably normal in the language- and learning-impaired group. Semiautomated morphometry was used to measure hemispheric volumes and cerebral asymmetries in six cerebral regions. The volume of the left posterior perisylvian region was significantly reduced in language- and learning-impaired children. Asymmetries in inferoanterior and superoposterior cerebral regions were also significantly different in this group. Results of descriptive group comparisons of estimated volumes of other cerebral gray-matter structures raise the possibility that some language- and learning-impaired children may have additional volume reductions in cortical and subcortical structures. The results suggest that hemispheric specialization of function may be anomalous in this population.
Jernigan
T L
TL
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Diego, CA.
Hesselink
J R
JR
Sowell
E
E
Tallal
P A
PA
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male