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Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Surface Morphometry Analysis of Pediatric Down Syndrome
Jacob Levman1,2,3, Bernadette McCann4, Nicole Baumer5
1Department of Computer Science, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5, Canada.
Biology
|August 28, 2024
Summary
Down syndrome (DS) shows widespread brain surface area reductions and curvature abnormalities. Specific cortical regions exhibit altered surface area percentages, indicating developmental differences in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Genetics
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder caused by an extra chromosome 21, leading to intellectual disability.
- Brain structural differences in DS are not fully understood, necessitating advanced analytical techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain structural differences in individuals with Down syndrome using surface morphometry.
- To characterize neurodevelopmental variations in DS through detailed brain measurements.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 73 MRI scans from DS patients (age 1 day–22 years).
- Comparison with 993 MRI scans from neurotypical individuals (age 1 day–32 years).
- Extraction of surface curvature, absolute surface area, and surface area as a percentage of total brain surface area (%TBSA) from brain regions.
Main Results:
- Broad reductions in overall brain surface area and abnormal surface curvature were observed in DS patients.
- Specific regions, including the entorhinal and parahippocampal cortices, showed abnormally increased regional surface area as %TBSA in DS.
- Abnormalities were also noted in Brodmann's area 44 and the right temporal pole.
Conclusions:
- Down syndrome is associated with widespread abnormalities in brain surface morphometry.
- Regional %TBSA alterations in specific cortical areas suggest distinct neurodevelopmental trajectories in DS.
- Clinical MRI data can be utilized to identify and characterize these DS-specific developmental brain abnormalities.
