title: Anatomical and diffusion MRI of deep gray matter in pediatric spina bifida.
abstract: Individuals with spina bifida myelomeningocele (SBM) exhibit brain abnormalities in cortical thickness, white matter integrity, and cerebellar structure. Little is known about deep gray matter macro- and microstructure in this population. The current study utilized volumetric and diffusion-weighted MRI techniques to examine gray matter volume and microstructure in several subcortical structures: basal ganglia nuclei, thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala. Sixty-six children and adolescents (ages 8-18; M = 12.0, SD = 2.73) with SBM and typically developing (TD) controls underwent T1- and diffusion-weighted neuroimaging. Microstructural results indicated that hippocampal volume was disproportionately reduced, whereas the putamen volume was enlarged in the group with SBM. Microstructural analyses indicated increased mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in the gray matter of most examined structures (i.e., thalamus, caudate, hippocampus), with the putamen exhibiting a unique pattern of decreased MD and increased FA. These results provide further support that SBM differentially disrupts brain regions whereby some structures are volumetrically normal whereas others are reduced or enlarged. In the hippocampus, volumetric reduction coupled with increased MD may imply reduced cellular density and aberrant organization. Alternatively, the enlarged volume and significantly reduced MD in the putamen suggest increased density.
authors: Department of Psychology, Texas Institute for Measurements, Evaluation and Statistics, University of Houston, 8201 Cullen St., Houston, TX 77204-6602, USA.
authors: Ashley L
authors: AL
authors: Ware
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Learning Institute BRAIN Lab, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6655 Travis Street Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors: Jenifer
authors: J
authors: Juranek
authors: Department of Psychology, Texas Institute for Measurements, Evaluation and Statistics, University of Houston, 8201 Cullen St., Houston, TX 77204-6602, USA.
authors: Victoria J
authors: VJ
authors: Williams
authors: Department of Psychology, Texas Institute for Measurements, Evaluation and Statistics, University of Houston, 8201 Cullen St., Houston, TX 77204-6602, USA.
authors: Paul T
authors: PT
authors: Cirino
authors: Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Maureen
authors: M
authors: Dennis
authors: Department of Psychology, Texas Institute for Measurements, Evaluation and Statistics, University of Houston, 8201 Cullen St., Houston, TX 77204-6602, USA.
authors: Jack M
authors: JM
authors: Fletcher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016880:Anisotropy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D066128:Gray Matter / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D059906:Neuroimaging; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: DTI; Hydrocephalus; Myelomeningocele; Subcortical gray matter