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Published on: September 27, 2020
Developmental coordination disorder
Maëlle Biotteau1, Jean-Michel Albaret2, Yves Chaix1
1Toulouse NeuroImaging Center, University of Toulouse, INSERM, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France; Pediatric Neurology Unit, Children's Hospital, Toulouse-Purpan University Hospital, Toulouse, France.
Insights
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) impacts children
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Motor Control
Background:
- Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting motor execution and learning in children.
- Children with DCD display varied motor signs, including fine/gross motor deficits, impaired balance, and sensorimotor coordination issues.
- Prevalence estimates for DCD vary (1.8%-8%) based on diagnostic criteria and standardized motor assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current understanding of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
- To review proposed etiological hypotheses for DCD.
- To highlight neuroimaging findings and therapeutic approaches for DCD.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
- Analysis of hypotheses regarding visuospatial, procedural learning, internal modeling, and executive function deficits.
- Synthesis of findings from scarce neuroimaging studies and meta-analyses of therapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- DCD is characterized by difficulties in executing coordinated motor actions and learning new motor tasks.
- Potential underlying mechanisms include deficits in visuospatial functions, procedural learning, internal modeling, or executive functions.
- Neuroimaging implicates parietal, frontal, and cerebellar cortices; meta-analyses support task-oriented therapies.
Conclusions:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) presents with diverse motor challenges impacting children's daily activities.
- Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Task-oriented approaches show promise for improving motor performance in children with DCD.
Abstract:
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children's ability to execute coordinated motor actions, resulting in slow, clumsy, or inaccurate motor performances and learning difficulties (of new motor tasks or to adapt previously learned gestures to a modified or additional constraint). In the course of development, children with DCD exhibit a diversity of motor signs, including fine and gross motor problems with impaired postural control and balance, and sensorimotor coordination or motor learning difficulties. The prevalence ranges between 1.8% and 8%, depending on the diagnostic criteria used, based on the cutoff of motor scores from standardized scales. Four main hypotheses have been postulated to explain DCD in terms of deficits in visuospatial functions, procedural learning, internal modeling, or executive functions. Neuroimaging studies are scarce but have highlighted several brain regions, including the parietal, frontal, and cerebellar cortices. Meta-analyses have supported task-oriented approaches as effective therapies to improve motor performance in children with DCD.
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