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A small pons as a characteristic finding in Down syndrome: A quantitative MRI study
Yuta Fujii1, Noriko Aida1, Tetsu Niwa2
1Department of Radiology, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan.
Brain & Development
|November 21, 2016
Summary
Children with Down syndrome (DS) often have smaller brainstems, especially the pons, a key finding in childhood brain MRI studies. This may be a distinct morphological feature in individuals with DS from birth through preteen years.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Genetics
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality.
- Brainstem characteristics in children with DS are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate brainstem morphology in children with Down syndrome using MRI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of MRI scans from 32 children with DS (0-11 years) and 32 controls.
- Measurement of midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata dimensions and posterior fossa ratios (BS/PF index).
Main Results:
- Children with DS showed significantly smaller midbrain width/area, pons height/width/area, and medulla oblongata area compared to controls.
- Pons dimensions, especially the ventral part, displayed the most significant differences.
- Lower BS/PF indices for pons height, width, and area were observed in the DS group.
Conclusions:
- The brainstem, particularly the pons, may be morphologically smaller in children with Down syndrome.
- This finding could represent a characteristic feature of the brainstem in childhood DS, detectable via MRI.
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