Central Motor Conduction Time and diffusion tensor imaging metrics in children with complex motor disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To explore potential correlations between Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) metrics and Central Motor Conduction Time (CMCT) in a cohort of children with complex motor disorders.


METHODS
For a group of 49 children undergoing assessment for potential Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery, CMCT was derived from the latency of MEPs invoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation of the contralateral motor cortex and from peripheral conduction times. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) was used to compare Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) metrics between children with normal and abnormal CMCT. TBSS was also used to look for correlations between these metrics and CMCT across the group.


RESULTS
Median age at assessment was 9years (range 3-19years). For 14/49 children a diagnosis of primary dystonia had been made. No correlation could be found between DTI metrics and CMCT, with no difference in metrics found between children with normal and abnormal CMCT.


CONCLUSIONS
DTI metrics did not differ between children with normal and abnormal CMCT. Tissue properties determining CMCT may not be explained by existing DTI metrics.


CONCLUSIONS
DTI and CMCT measurements provide complementary information for the clinical assessment of children with complex motor disorders.
Complex Motor Disorder Service, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, UK; Rayne Institute, King's College London, UK. Electronic address: Daniel.lumsden@kcl.ac.uk.
Daniel E
DE
Lumsden
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Verity
V
McClelland
Department of Neuroradiology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London.
Jonathan
J
Ashmore
Rayne Institute, King's College London, UK; Medical Physics, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Geoffrey
G
Charles-Edwards
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Kerry
K
Mills
Complex Motor Disorder Service, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Jean-Pierre
JP
Lin
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D020821:Dystonic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
Central Motor Conduction Time; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Dystonia