Abnormal brain morphology in patients with isolated cleft lip, cleft palate, or both: a preliminary analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine whether adult men with cleft lip and palate (CLP) have aberrant cerebral morphology.


METHODS
Brain morphology of 14 adult men with isolated CLP were analyzed and compared with 14 healthy controls matched for sex, age, and parental socioeconomic status.


METHODS
The research took place at a large, tertiary care hospital, with participation on an outpatient basis.


METHODS
The 14 males with CLP were recruited from a large cleft lip and palate registry, while their 14 matched controls were selected from a registry of healthy volunteers collected via the Mental Health Clinical Research Center.


RESULTS
The males with CLP have significantly smaller cerebellar size (p = .04), significantly larger frontal lobes (p = .02), and significantly smaller temporal and occipital lobes (p = .02; p = .009, respectively). No significant difference in gray/white matter ratios or laterality were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Adult males with CLP have a significantly different pattern of brain morphology, compared with healthy controls, which is most likely due to aberrant cerebral development. This study highlights the complex interaction and interdependence of craniofacial and cerebral development.
Nopoulos
P
P
Mental Health Clinical Research Center, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242, USA. peggy-nopoulos@uiowa.edu
Berg
S
S
Canady
J
J
Richman
L
L
Van Demark
D
D
Andreasen
N C
NC
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications*; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009417:Nerve Tissue / Q000002:abnormalities