Abstract Details

Title White Matter Microstructural Abnormalities in Children with Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD)

Topic Child Neurology/Developmental Neurobiology

Presentation(s) S15 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 005

Objective

Background SPD affect 5-16% of children and can lead to deficits in intellectual and social development. Current theories regarding the underlying basis of SPD implicate atypical neural firing in primary sensory cortical areas and their connections with multisensory integration (MSI) regions.

Design/Methods DTI was acquired in 16 boys (8-11 years) with SPD and 24 age, gender, handedness and IQ-matched neurotypical controls. Neurobehavioral measures were collected by parent report and direct assessment. FSL was used to calculate fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD). Nonparametric permutation testing from tract based spatial statistics was used to detect group differences in whole brain white matter and to detect regions where DTI parameters were correlated with behavioral variables.

Results Significant decreases in FA and increases in MD/RD were found in areas of cerebral white matter in the SPD cohort relative to controls, primarily in posterior white matter tracts including the splenium, body of the corpus callosum, bilateral corona radiata and bilateral thalamic radiations, including the optic radiations. Significant correlations were observed between FA of specific frontal and posterior cerebral tracts and the auditory, multisensory, and inattention scores (r=0.5-0.7; p<0.001).

Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate reduced white matter microstructural integrity in children with SPD. These findings suggest a biological basis for SPD and also help to establish SPD as a distinct disease separate from overlapping clinical conditions such as autism and ADHD, which at the level of group analysis, have divergent patterns of DTI abnormalities. Using brain-behavior correlations, we hope to move towards a more individualized model for understanding and treating children with sensory processing differences.

Authors/Disclosures
Elysa Marco, MD (UCSF Child Neurology) PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file

��ɫ��

��ɫ��