背景:发育延迟(DD)是一种神经发育障碍,其特征是多个领域的延迟。先进的神经成像技术可以识别局部表面畸形,从而增强了对DD中大脑结构的研究。神经影像学研究已经确定了DD患者的大脑结构异常,但专门针对沙特阿拉伯人口的研究是有限的。在这项研究中,我们检查了沙特阿拉伯DD儿童的皮质和皮质下区域的神经解剖学异常。
方法:T1加权,使用1毫米厚的MRI获取29名DD儿童和年龄匹配的健康对照者的结构性脑图像。
结果:对MRI数据的分析显示,DD组几个脑区的灰质(GM)和白质(WM)的几个皮质和皮质下结构存在显着差异。具体来说,在尾状核中观察到明显的畸形,苍白球,额回,parsopercularis,轨道,扣带回,和call下回。这些发现表明这些区域的神经发育受到干扰,这可能有助于认知,电机,以及在DD患者中常见的行为障碍。
结论:本研究为沙特阿拉伯儿童DD的神经解剖学差异提供了有价值的见解。我们的结果为DD中的皮质和皮质下异常提供了证据。观察区域的畸形可能会导致认知障碍,情绪失调,情绪障碍,以及DD中常见的语言障碍。结构分析可以使得能够鉴定神经解剖学生物标志物以促进DD的早期诊断或进展。这些结果表明,由于网络改变,DD儿童的皮质复杂性降低可能在早期大脑发育中起关键作用。
BACKGROUND: Developmental delay (DD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by delays in multiple domains. The investigation of brain structure in DD has been enhanced by advanced neuroimaging techniques that can identify regional surface deformities. Neuroimaging studies have identified structural brain abnormalities in individuals with DD, but research specific to the Saudi Arabian population is limited. In this study, we examine the neuroanatomical abnormalities in the cortical and subcortical regions of Saudi Arabian children with DD.
METHODS: A T1-weighted, 1-mm-thick MRI was used to acquire structural brain images of 29 children with DD and age-matched healthy controls.
RESULTS: Analysis of the MRI data revealed significant differences in several cortical and subcortical structures of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in several brain regions of the DD group. Specifically, significant deformities were observed in the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, frontal gyrus, pars opercularis, pars orbitalis, cingulate gyrus, and subcallosal gyrus. These findings suggest disrupted neurodevelopment in these regions, which may contribute to the cognitive, motor, and behavioral impairments commonly observed in individuals with DD.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides valuable insights into the neuroanatomical differences in Saudi Arabian children with DD. Our results provide evidence for cortical and subcortical abnormalities in DD. Deformities in the observed regions may contribute to cognitive impairment, emotional dysregulation, mood disorders, and language deficits commonly observed in DD. The structural analysis may enable the identification of neuroanatomical biomarkers to facilitate the early diagnosis or progression of DD. These results suggest that lower cortical complexity in DD children due to alterations in networks may play a critical role in early brain development.