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A volumetric magnetic resonance imaging study of brain structures in children with Down syndrome
Affiliations- Klinika Neurologii i Rehabilitacji Dziecięcej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Białymstoku
- Katedra i Zakład Radiologii Lekarskiej i Radiodiagnostyki w Zabrzu. Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, 3 Maja 13-15, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
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Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of mental retardation with deficits in language and memory. Mental retardation of varying degrees is the most consistent feature of DS. The objective of this study was to use high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate the volumes of the hippocampus, amygdala, and temporal and frontal lobes in children with DS compared with healthy children.
Material and methodsMRI of 49 patients was reviewed prospectively. The study included 23 children with DS (9 girls and 14 boys, mean age 6.7 ± 3.7 years) and 26 healthy children (11 girls and 15 boys, mean age 8.3 ± 2.4 years). Volumes of the right and left hippocampus, the right and left amygdala, temporal and frontal lobes and the total brain volume were measured by a radiologist who was unaware of the diagnosis.
ResultsTotal brain volume in children with DS was significantly lower compared with controls. It was associated with significantly lower volume of the frontal and temporal lobes. Children with DS had a significantly smaller right and left hippocampus volume and a significantly smaller right and left amygdala volume than did the control group. We also found a negative correlation between mental retardation and volume of the right hippocampus.
ConclusionsThe presence of these abnormalities from an early age contributes to the specific cognitive and developmental deficits seen in children with DS.
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of mental retardation with deficits in language and memory. Mental retardation of varying degrees is the most consistent feature of DS. The objective of this study was to use high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate the volumes of the hippocampus, amygdala, and temporal and frontal lobes in children with DS compared with healthy children.
Material and methodsMRI of 49 patients was reviewed prospectively. The study included 23 children with DS (9 girls and 14 boys, mean age 6.7 ± 3.7 years) and 26 healthy children (11 girls and 15 boys, mean age 8.3 ± 2.4 years). Volumes of the right and left hippocampus, the right and left amygdala, temporal and frontal lobes and the total brain volume were measured by a radiologist who was unaware of the diagnosis.
ResultsTotal brain volume in children with DS was significantly lower compared with controls. It was associated with significantly lower volume of the frontal and temporal lobes. Children with DS had a significantly smaller right and left hippocampus volume and a significantly smaller right and left amygdala volume than did the control group. We also found a negative correlation between mental retardation and volume of the right hippocampus.
ConclusionsThe presence of these abnormalities from an early age contributes to the specific cognitive and developmental deficits seen in children with DS.
Keywords
hippocampus, amygdala, MRI, volume, Down syndrome
About this articleTitle
A volumetric magnetic resonance imaging study of brain structures in children with Down syndrome
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Pages
363-369
Page views
279
Article views/downloads
418
DOI
10.1016/S0028-3843(14)60107-9
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2011;45(4):363-369.
Keywords
hippocampus
amygdala
MRI
volume
Down syndrome
Authors
Joanna Śmigielska-Kuzia
Leszek Boćkowski
Wojciech Sobaniec
Krzysztof Sendrowski
Beata Olchowik
Magdalena Cholewa
Adam łukasiewicz
Urszula łebkowska
