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| Research article summary (published 29 Apr 2009): |
Brain magnetic resonance imaging of siblings from families with two or more children with learning or intellectual disabilities and need for full-time special education.
Full Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several factors are involved in determining a child's need for special education (SE). Thus, the value of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for subjects with learning and intellectual disabilities is uncertain. PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of MRI in the diagnostic process of siblings with learning and intellectual disabilities and need for full-time SE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Altogether, 119 siblings (mean age 11.9 years) from families in which two or more children attended/had previously attended full-time SE underwent prospective brain MRI. SE grouping included three levels, from specific learning disabilities (level 1) to global intellectual disabilities (level 3). Forty-three controls (level 0, mean age 12.0 years) attended mainstream education groups. Signal intensity and structural abnormalities were analyzed, and areas of the cerebrum, posterior fossa, corpus callosum, vermis and brain stem, and diameters of the corpus callosum were measured. In analyses, all area measurements were calculated in proportion to the total inner skull area. RESULTS: Abnormal finding in MRI was more common for siblings (n=62; 52%) in SE (58% for level 3; 49% for level 2; 35% for level 1) than for controls (n=13; 16%). The siblings showed enlarged supra- (P<0.001) and infratentorial (P=0.015) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces and mild corpus callosum abnormalities (P=0.003) compared to controls. Siblings in SE had smaller inner skull area than controls (P<0.001). Further, the relative area of the mesencephalon (P=0.027) and the diameter of the body of the corpus callosum (P=0.015) were significantly smaller than in controls. In binary logistic regression analysis, enlarged supratentorial CSF spaces increased the probability of SE (odds ratio 4.2; P=0.023). CONCLUSION: Subjects with learning and intellectual disabilities commonly have more MRI findings than controls. Enlarged supratentorial CSF spaces were a frequent finding in siblings in full-time SE.
Author information
Author/s: Mannerkoski, M (M); Heiskala, H (H); Raininko, R (R); Aberg, L (L); Sarna, S (S); Wirtavuori, K (K); Autti, T (T);
Affiliation: Child Neurology, HUCH Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Helsinki, Finland. minna.mannerkoski(-atsign-)hus.fi
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: Acta radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987) (Acta Radiol), published in Sweden. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2009-May; vol 50 (issue 4) : pp 437-45
Dates: Created 2009/04/20; Completed 2009/05/05;
PMID: 19267273, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 5/5/2009, IMS Date: 05 May 2009 00:00:00)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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