Gray matter volume alterations in patients with strabismus and amblyopia: voxel-based morphometry study

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Strabismus and amblyopia (SA) are common visual disorders.
• The underlying neurobiological mechanisms of SA are not fully understood.
• Investigating structural brain alterations may provide insights into SA pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate structural alterations in the cerebral cortex of patients with SA using voxel-based morphometry (VBM).
• To explore the relationship between gray matter volume (GMV) and clinical manifestations of SA.
• To assess the diagnostic potential of GMV differences for classifying SA.

Main Methods:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 16 patients with SA and 16 healthy controls (HCs).
• Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was employed to analyze whole-brain images and quantify GMV.
• Pearson correlation and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted.

Main Results:

• SA patients showed significantly reduced GMV in the right superior temporal gyrus, cerebellum (posterior and anterior lobes), bilateral parahippocampal gyrus, and left anterior cingulate cortex compared to HCs.
• Reduced GMV in the right superior temporal gyrus, cerebellum, and bilateral parahippocampal gyrus was negatively correlated with the angle of strabismus.
• ROC analysis confirmed the accuracy of GMV values in differentiating SA patients from HCs.

Conclusions:

• Patients with SA exhibit reduced GMV in specific cortical and subcortical brain regions.
• These structural brain changes may be associated with the pathogenesis of SA.
• VBM analysis reveals potential biomarkers for SA and its relationship with brain atrophy.