A whole-brain gray and white matter analysis in children with 45XO karyotype Turner syndrome:voxelbased morphometry

Abstract

Objective To detect the structural changes of cerebral gray and white matter in children of monosomy Turner syndrome (TS) by using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Methods Nine children 45XO karyotype TS and 20 age-matched control girls were recruited in this study.Wechsler intelligence scale for children was used to obtain their intelligence quotients (IQ).High-resolution magnetic MR imaging was performed in TS children and control girls to collect the whole brain structural data.The data were analyzed by VBM based on SPM 8 to compare the volume of gray and white matter between the TS children and normal controls by using covariance analysis. Results The IQ of TS children was 81±13,and the IQ of the controls was 109±16.Statistical analysis revealed significant difference of IQ between the two groups (t=-4.70,P<0.05).Compared with normal controls,TS children showed significantly decreased volume (numbers of voxel in clusters were 631,525,520,t=3.95,3.50,3.36,P<0.05,FWE-corrected) in the gray matter of the right superior parietal lobule,postcentral gyrus,precuneus lobule,calcarine,cuneus cortices,as well as the left middle and inferior occipital lobe.However,the volume of the bilateral supplemental motor area and the medial superior frontal lobes,the right middle cingulum,the left superior,middle,and inferior temporal gyri were increased in the TS children compared to the controls.The left fusiform,the left parahippocampus,the left hippocampus and the left cerebellum were also enlarged in TS children (numbers of voxel in clusters were 2082,974,1708,588,579,t=5.45,4.59,4.40,4.29,3.55,P<0.05,FWE-corrected).White matter regions in the left postcentral gyrus and inferior parietal lobule showed significantly reduced volume (voxel number 957,t=5.85,P<0.05,FWE-corrected). Conclusion Children with monosomy TS show abnormal gray and white matter volumes in some brain regions,which may be involved in the neuropathology of Turner syndrome. Key words: Turner syndrome;Magnetic resonance imaging;Child