Lateralization of brain function in childhood revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy

We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) for the assessment of focal brain pathology in 22 right-handed children with a diagnosis of intractable temporal lobe epilepsy, and we related this pathology to cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive assessment was based on measurements of verbal IQ, performance IQ, and the Paired Associate Learning subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale. Five of the 22 children showed no abnormalities of the temporal lobes on 1H MRS, seven showed unilateral pathology, and 10 showed bilateral abnormalities. We found that left-sided pathology is associated with a loss of verbal cognitive functions, whereas right-sided pathology is associated with a loss of nonverbal functions. These findings are consistent with the pattern of lateralization of brain function that has been observed in adults.