Hemispheric Dominance and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Global Effects for Intensive Motor Training on White Matter
Mariabernarda Pitzianti1, Marco Muti, Valentina Rapaccini
1Department of System Medicine, Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, "Tor Vergata" University of Rome, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy, b.pitzianti@libero.it.
Psychiatria Danubina
|November 23, 2023
Summary
Intensive motor training enhances white matter (WM) plasticity and writing skills in children with developmental dysgraphia. This training improves brain connectivity, benefiting both motor and cognitive functions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cerebral maturation involves distinct grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) development.
- Hemispheric specialization is critical for motor and cognitive functions.
- Atypical motor development is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like developmental dysgraphia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of intensive motor training on WM plasticity.
- To assess changes in writing skills in children with developmental dysgraphia.
- To explore effects on WM tracts using tractography.
Main Methods:
- Tractography study of major white matter (WM) tracts.
- Analysis of Mean Diffusivity (MD) changes in WM tracts post-training.
- Evaluation of motor and cognitive function improvements.
Main Results:
- Intensive motor training led to a decrease in Mean Diffusivity (MD) in WM tracts.
- Training effects were observed in both stimulated and non-stimulated WM tracts and hemispheres.
- Improvements in WM plasticity correlated with enhanced motor and cognitive functions.
Conclusions:
- Intensive motor training positively affects WM plasticity and writing skills in developmental dysgraphia.
- Training promotes non-specific improvements in WM connectivity, benefiting broader brain functions.
- Enhanced brain plasticity supports both motor control and cognitive processing.
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