Corpus Callosum Microstructural Alterations In Children With Memory Related Learning Disability: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the corpus callosum microstructural changes in children with memory related learning disability. Methods: DTI was performed in 20 patients with memory related learning disabilities (MRLD +) and 22 matched healthy control subjects (MRLD -) aged 7– 13 years. Fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity (RD) and trace were calculated for corpus callosum. Comparison between patients with memory related learning disabilities (MRLD +) and healthy control subjects (MRLD -) was performed. DTI metrics were correlated to clinical digit span backward scores in (MRLD +) group. A pvalue less than .05 was considered significant. Results: The corpus callosum showed a highly significant higher FA and lower diffusivity indices in (MRLD +) group compared to the (MRLD -) group (p < 0.001). No significant correlation between the clinical test “digit span backward” scores and DTI metrics of the corpus callosum was found. Conclusion: Changes in DTI metrics of corpus callosum in patients with memory related learning disabilities reflects white matter micro-structural changes. Higher FA values and lower diffusivity indices do not necessarily indicate healthier white matter but, can indicate pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]