Grey-matter abnormalities in boys with Tourette syndrome: magnetic resonance imaging study using optimised voxel-based morphometry.
The genesis of Tourette syndrome is still unknown, but a core role for the pathways of cortico-striatal-thalamic-cortical circuitry (CSTC) is supposed. Volume-rendering magnetic resonance imaging data-sets were analysed in 14 boys with Tourette syndrome and 15 age-matched controls using optimised voxel-based morphometry. Locally increased grey-matter volumes (corrected P < 0.001) were found bilaterally in the ventral putamen. Regional decreases in grey matter were observed in the left hippocampal gyrus. This unbiased analysis confirmed an association between striatal abnormalities and Tourette syndrome, and the hippocampal volume alterations indicate an involvement of temporolimbic pathways of the CSTC in the syndrome.
Ludolph
Andrea G
AG
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, 889081 Ulm, Germany.
Juengling
Freimut D
FD
Libal
Gerhard
G
Ludolph
Albert C
AC
Fegert
Jörg M
JM
Kassubek
Jan
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000473:pathology