[Longitudinal cerebral CT study on severe motor and intellectual disability]

To study the effects of brain atrophy on cerebral palsy with severe motor and intellectual disability, cerebral CT examinations were conducted over a period of 12.7 +/- 5.0 years on 14 patients with cerebral palsy. The ratios of the cortical, subarachnoid space and ventricular space areas to the inner skull space were determined. The initial CT was conducted at an average age of 18.9 +/- 5.0 and indicated dilatation of the subarachnoid space and ventricles. The subsequent CT studies disclosed that brain atrophy had developed during a mean period of 12.7 +/- 5.0 years. Dilatation of the subarachnoid space was particularly prominent. Brain atrophy with dilatation of the subarachnoid space may be characteristic of severe motor and intellectual disability.