Brain basis of childhood speech and language disorders: are we closer to clinically meaningful MRI markers?
Developmental speech and language disorders are common, seen in one in 20 preschool children, in the absence of frank neurological deficits or intellectual impairment. They are a key reason parents seek help from paediatricians. Complex neurogenetic and environmental contributions underpin the disorders, yet few specific causes are known. With the advent of quantitative brain imaging, a growing number of studies have investigated neural contributions. Here, we discuss current MRI approaches and recent findings (January 2014-June 2016) in the field.



Five relevant studies were identified (n = 3 - speech disorder and n = 2 - language disorder). Significant variability in MRI approaches and heterogeneity of participant phenotypes was seen. Children with speech disorder had structural and functional anomalies in the left supramarginal gyrus and functional anomalies in the posterior cerebellum bilaterally - regions critical for sensory-motor integration or feedback. Children with language disorder showed increased mean and radial diffusivity of the left arcuate fasciculus, although a widespread cortical and subcortical network of regions was implicated.



Limited evidence exists for specific regional brain anomalies in this population. MRI prognostic markers of speech and language ability are not currently available at an individual level. Further work is required to disentangle neurobiological contributions to speech and language disorders for affected children.
aDepartment of Audiology and Speech Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville bNeuroscience of Speech Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute cDepartment of Speech Pathology, Royal Childrens Hospital, Melbourne, Australia dCognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychiatry Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom eGreat Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Trust, London, UK.
Angela
A
Morgan
Alexandra
A
Bonthrone
Frédérique J
FJ
Liégeois
D001931:Brain Mapping; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology