Changes of gray matter cortex and white matter fibers in deaf children / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To comprehensively and systematically measure and analyze deaf children's gray matter cortex and white matter fibers by surface-based morphometry (SBM) and tract-based spatial statistics(TBSS).Methods:Twenty-seven deaf children aged 9-13 years old and twenty-seven age and sex matched normal controls were selected. T1 structural images and diffusion tensor imaging data were collected and analyzed by SBM and TBSS to calculate the cortical thickness, back index and anisotropic index (fractional anisotropy, FA). The SPSS 20.0 software and FSL software were used for data analysis.Results:Compared with the control group, the thickness of the cortex in the left cerebral hemisphere central posterior gyrus, the superior lobule, the central lateral lobule, and the anterior lobe were significantly reduced(cluster size 4 150, P<0.05), and in the right cerebral hemisphere squats and the middle sacral region reduced(cluster size 2 592, P<0.05). The local regression index of the left anterior wedge region was significantly increased(cluster size 3 225, P<0.05). The DTI results showed a decrease in FA values in the areas of radiation crown, cortical bundle, cingulate gyrus, corpus callosum, thalamus radiation, and sub-occipital bundle( P<0.05, TFCE corrected). Conclusion:There are different degrees of damage in the cerebral cortex and white matter microstructure of deaf children, and the brain structure remodeling and compensatory reconstruction appeared in the anterior wedge, which provide strong evidence for in-depth study of relationship between the loss of auditory function and changes in the brain structure.