Neocortical reorganization in spina bifida

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Normal brain development involves decreasing frontal cortical thickness and increasing white matter myelination and volume.
• Spina bifida myelomeningocele (SB) is a complex neural tube defect with potential impacts on brain development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in brain morphometry between children with SB and typically developing controls.
• To analyze total cerebral volumes, neocortical surface area, and neocortical thickness in relation to SB.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a semi-automated, quantitative MRI-based brain morphometry approach.
• Compared 16 children with SB to 16 age-matched typically developing controls.
• Assessed total cerebral volumes, neocortical surface area, and neocortical thickness.

Main Results:

• No significant group differences in total cerebral volume were found.
• The SB group showed a 15% reduction in white matter and a 69% increase in cerebrospinal fluid.
• Reduced occipital neocortical surface area and widespread reduced cortical thickness (except frontal regions) were observed in the SB group.
• The SB group exhibited increased frontal cortical thickness compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• Spina bifida myelomeningocele is associated with significant alterations in brain tissue distribution and cortical development.
• Reduced white matter and altered cortical thickness patterns suggest a long-term disruption of brain development in SB.
• Findings extend beyond the initial neural tube defect, indicating a more pervasive impact on neurodevelopment.