Developmental language disorder associated with polymicrogyria

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Neuroradiology

Background:

• Subtle neuronal migration disorders are observed in some dyslexic patients with early childhood developmental language disorder (DLD).
• Investigating the neuroanatomical basis of DLD is crucial for understanding its underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the neuroanatomical substrate of DLD in children using neuroimaging.
• To correlate imaging findings with clinical DLD manifestations.

Main Methods:

• Psychological assessment, language evaluation, neurological examination, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed.
• Inclusion criteria included age (≥4 years), primary language delay, normal hearing, IQ >70, and parental consent.
• Exclusion criteria were severe motor and cognitive handicaps.

Main Results:

• Fifteen children (ages 4-14, 11 boys) were included.
• Six children with diffuse polymicrogyria (PMG) around the sylvian fissure showed severe DLD (e.g., no speech, phonologic-syntactic deficits).
• Six children with PMG restricted to the posterior parietal regions exhibited milder DLD (phonologic programming deficits). Three had other findings.

Conclusions:

• Developmental language disorder is associated with polymicrogyria.
• The clinical presentation of DLD varies based on the extent of polymicrogyria.
• Posterior parietal PMG represents a mild form of perisylvian syndrome in DLD.