title: White matter integrity and math performance in pediatric multiple sclerosis:  a diffusion tensor imaging study.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis is associated with reduced white matter integrity and deficits in key cognitive processes important for arithmetic. This study examined the relationship between white matter microstructure and academic ability in 31 youths with multiple sclerosis (aged 11-19 years) and 34 demographically matched controls. Using diffusion tensor imaging, fractional anisotropy was calculated in corpus callosum and in lateralized hemispheric lobes. Difficulties with written arithmetic ability were observed in 26% of patients. Arithmetic ability correlated with fractional anisotropy values across all segments of the corpus callosum and in right frontal and parietal regions, controlling for age (r values >0.5, P<0.005). Findings highlight the functional impact of compromised white matter microstructure across diffuse regions of the brain on mathematical ability.
authors: Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Canada. ctill@yorku.ca
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Till
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Deotto
authors: Vicentiu
authors: V
authors: Tipu
authors: John G
authors: JG
authors: Sled
authors: Allison
authors: A
authors: Bethune
authors: Sridar
authors: S
authors: Narayanan
authors: Doug L
authors: DL
authors: Arnold
authors: Brenda L
authors: BL
authors: Banwell
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D016880:Anisotropy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D055815:Young Adult