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Early cognitive and behavioral problems in children with nodular heterotopia
Marcia V Felker1, Linsey M Walker, Deborah K Sokol
1Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Insights
Children with periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) show early reading fluency deficits and worsening behavioral issues, even without seizures. These findings highlight the need for early detection and intervention in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) is associated with epilepsy and dyslexia in adults.
- Early detection of reading difficulties and behavioral problems in children with PNH is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate early reading fluency and behavioral issues in children with PNH.
- To determine if PNH-related reading difficulties are detectable in childhood, with or without epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 10 children with PNH and 10 matched controls.
- Neuropsychological testing and parental rating scales were administered over approximately one year.
Main Results:
- Children with PNH demonstrated significantly poorer reading fluency compared to controls.
- Adaptive skills were significantly worse in children with PNH, with conduct problems worsening over time.
- Increased, though not statistically significant, mood and behavioral problems were reported in children with PNH.
Conclusions:
- Reading dysfluency is evident in children with PNH, irrespective of seizure status.
- Children with PNH exhibit behavioral difficulties, including worsening conduct problems.
- Early identification of neurodevelopmental challenges in PNH is crucial.
Abstract:
Adults with periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) have epilepsy and dyslexia, but most have normal intelligence. It is not known whether PNH-related reading difficulty can be detected earlier in childhood or whether associated behavioral problems are present. We studied 10 children with PNH, 3 of whom did not have seizures, and 10 matched controls with neuropsychological testing and parental rating instruments at two time points separated by about 1 year. Children with PNH performed significantly worse than controls on a task related to reading fluency. In addition, those with PNH showed significantly worse adaptive skills, and a measure of conduct problems significantly worsened over time. Mood and behavioral problems were reported more commonly, though not significantly so, in children with PNH. These findings demonstrate that reading dysfluency can be evident in children with nodular heterotopia, even in the absence of epilepsy, but also highlight difficulties with behavior in this population.
