Abnormal white matter microstructure in children with sensory processing disorders
Rosamaria, Julia P.Owen Elysa J.Marco ShivaniDesai, EmilyFourie, JuliaHarris, Susanna S.Hilc Anne B.Arnett Pratik Mukherjee
Arcadia Hospital, Romania
Cuza Voda Hospital Iasi, Romania
: J Neurosci Clin Res
Abstract
Sensory processing disorders (SPD) affect 5–16% of school-aged children and can cause long-term deficits in intellectual and social development. Current theories of SPD implicate primary sensory cortical areas and higher-order multisensory integration (MSI) cortical regions. We investigate the role of white matter microstructural abnormalities in SPD using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). DTI was acquired in 16 boys, 8–11 years old, with SPD and 24 age-, gender-, handedness- and IQ-matched neurotypical controls. Behavior was characterized using a parent report sensory behavior measure, the Sensory Profile. Fractional Anisotropy (FA), Mean Diffusivity (MD) and Radial Diffusivity (RD) were calculated. Tract-based spatial statistics were used to detect significant group differences in white matter integrity and to determine if microstructural parameters were significantly correlated with behavioral measures. Significant decreases in FA and increases in MD and RD were found in the SPD cohort compared to controls, primarily involving posterior white matter including the posterior corpus callosum, posterior corona radiata and posterior thalamic radiations. Strong positive correlations were observed between FA of these posterior tracts and auditory, multisensory, and inattention scores (r = 0.51–0.78; p b 0.001) with strong negative correlations between RD and multisensoryand inattention scores (r = − 0.61–0.71; p b 0.001). To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate reduced white matter microstructural integrity in children with SPD. We find that the disrupted whitematter microstructure predominantly involves posterior cerebral tracts and correlates strongly with atypical unimodal and multisensory integration behavior. These findings suggest abnormal white matter as a biologic basis for SPD and may also distinguish SPD from overlapping clinical conditions such as autism and attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder.
Biography
Rosamaria is an Italian Pediatric Neurologist and Child Psychiatrist with 18 years experience. She is currently full-time contract Child and Adolescent neuro-Psychiatrist in Andorra General Hospital consultant level.
E-mail: avefenix651@gmail.com
