Quantitative MRI reveals differences in striatal myelin in children with DLD

Abstract

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by receptive or expressive language difficulties or both. While theoretical frameworks and empirical studies support the idea that there may be neural correlates of DLD in frontostriatal loops, findings are inconsistent across studies. Here, we use a novel semiquantitative imaging protocol – multi-parameter mapping (MPM) – to investigate microstructural neural differences in children with DLD. The MPM protocol allows us to reproducibly map specific indices of tissue microstructure. In 56 typically developing children and 33 children with DLD, we derived maps of (1) longitudinal relaxation rate R1 (1/T1), (2) transverse relaxation rate R2* (1/T2*), and (3) Magnetization Transfer saturation (MTsat). R1 and MTsat predominantly index myelin, while R2* is sensitive to iron content. Children with DLD showed reductions in MTsat values in the caudate nucleus bilaterally, as well as in the left ventral sensorimotor cortex and Heschl’s gyrus. They also had globally lower R1 values. No group differences were noted in R2* maps. Differences in MTsat and R1 were coincident in the caudate nucleus bilaterally. These findings support our hypothesis of corticostriatal abnormalities in DLD and indicate abnormal levels of myelin in the dorsal striatum in children with DLD.

The contribution of theta and delta to feedback processing in children with developmental language disorder

“…The suggestion that children with DLD have impaired implicit learning is supported by behavioral data [ 49 , 64 , 82 ]. Additionally, brain structures linked to implicit learning show abnormalities in individuals with DLD (e.g., [ 55 , 56 ]. Theories such as the Procedural deficit hypothesis propose that because implicit learning is impaired in children with DLD, intervention should capitalize on declarative mechanisms [ 85 ].…”

Differences in Cortical Surface Area in Developmental Language Disorder

“…One hundred and seventy-five children took part in the Oxford Brain Organisation in Language Development (OxBOLD) project (see Krishnan et al, 2021 , 2022 ). We included participants older than 10 years and younger than 16 who had grown up in the United Kingdom speaking English.…”

EEG Correlates of Cognitive Functions in a Child with ASD and White Matter Signal Abnormalities: A Case Report with Two-and-a-Half-Year Follow-Up

“…Like other neurodevelopmental disorders, there are overlapping WH abnormalities in developmental language disorder (DLD) and ASD. Specifically, in both conditions, the volume of WM is increased in the frontal and temporal lobes [ 29 ], and in children with DLD, increased WM volume was found in the dorsal striatum [ 30 ]. These findings suggest the presence of abnormal myelinization in both disorders.…”

“…Generally, it can be concluded that WM plays a crucial role in learning and information processing, but it is also involved and associated with neurological and psychological disorders. Specifically, WM deficiencies have been linked to a variety of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, chronic depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, developmental language disorder, and dyslexia [ 11 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 29 , 30 ].…”