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White matter alterations in adults with probable developmental coordination disorder: an MRI diffusion tensor imaging
Jacqueline Williams1, Saman R Kashuk, Peter H Wilson
1aInstitute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living, College of Sport and Exercise Science bCollege of Engineering and Science, Victoria University cSchool of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne dMonash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Adults with probable developmental coordination disorder (pDCD) show altered white matter integrity, particularly in tracts crucial for motor planning and cognition. These findings suggest persistent neurobiological differences linked to childhood movement skill difficulties.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Radiology
Background:
- Movement skill difficulties, or developmental coordination disorder (DCD), frequently persist from childhood into adulthood.
- Previous research in children with DCD suggests underlying white matter microstructure alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether adults with probable DCD (pDCD) exhibit similar white matter microstructure alterations as observed in children with DCD.
- To explore persistent neurobiological differences in adults with DCD.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to examine white matter integrity.
- The study included twelve adults with pDCD and eleven control adults without pDCD.
Main Results:
- The pDCD group showed significantly lower fractional anisotropy in the corticospinal tract and superior longitudinal fasciculus.
- Reduced mean diffusivity was observed in the internal capsule and inferior longitudinal fasciculus in the pDCD group.
- Findings suggest reduced white matter integrity in parietofrontal and corticospinal tracts, with potential compensatory changes in visual and front-occipital networks.
Conclusions:
- The results support neuroimaging findings in children with DCD.
- Persistent neurobiological alterations in white matter tracts supporting motor planning and cognition are suggested in adults with pDCD.
