Reduced Fusiform Gyrus Activation During Face Processing in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors

Abstract

Objective: The neural mechanisms contributing to the social problems of pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) are unknown. Face processing is important to social communication, social behavior, and peer acceptance. Research with other populations with social difficulties, namely autism spectrum disorder, suggests atypical brain activation in areas important for face processing. This case-controlled functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study compared brain activation during face processing in PBTS and typically developing (TD) youth. Methods: Participants included 36 age-, gender-, and IQ-matched youth (N = 18 per group). PBTS were at least 5 years from diagnosis and 2 years from the completion of tumor therapy. fMRI data were acquired during a face identity task and a control condition. Groups were compared on activation magnitude within the fusiform gyrus for the faces condition compared to the control condition. Correlational analyses evaluated associations between neuroimaging metrics and indices of social behavior for PBTS participants. Results: Both groups demonstrated face-specific activation within the social brain for the faces condition compared to the control condition. PBTS showed significantly decreased activation for faces in the medial portions of the fusiform gyrus bilaterally compared to TD youth, ps ≤ .004. Higher peak activity in the left fusiform gyrus was associated with better socialization (r = .53, p < .05). Conclusions: This study offers initial evidence of atypical activation in a key face processing area in PBTS. Such atypical activation may underlie some of the social difficulties of PBTS. Social cognitive neuroscience methodologies may elucidate the neurobiological bases for PBTS social behavior.

White matter connectivity and social functioning in survivors of pediatric brain tumor

“…Study findings contribute to a growing body of research concerned with neurophysiological explanations underlying social behavior and social information processing among SPBT [50]. Greater connectivity between sub-network nodes, as measured by assortativity, was related to better self-reported peer relationships.…”

Social cognition and adjustment in adult survivors of pediatric central nervous system tumors

“…A few studies have examined specific social cognitive processes that underly and are necessary to successfully perform social tasks, 19 with a focus on facial affect or emotion recognition. [20][21][22][23][24][25] Collectively, CNS tumor survivors demonstrated difficulties identifying and interpreting facial expression of emotions, which in turn were associated with problems with friendships 26 and parent-reported social adjustment difficulties. 25 However, whether difficulties with affect recognition are also present in adult survivors or are associated with the attainment of expected functional outcomes in adulthood remain unknown.…”

“…Notably, deficits in executive functioning (e.g., shifting, working memory) 16,17 and nonverbal reasoning (e.g., visuospatial processing, fine motor skills) 6,18 have been associated with parent‐reported social skills deficits. A few studies have examined specific social cognitive processes that underly and are necessary to successfully perform social tasks, 19 with a focus on facial affect or emotion recognition 20–25 . Collectively, CNS tumor survivors demonstrated difficulties identifying and interpreting facial expression of emotions, which in turn were associated with problems with friendships 26 and parent‐reported social adjustment difficulties 25 .…”

“…In summary, our results address important gaps in the literature by describing social cognition and adjustment in long-term survivors of pediatric CNS tumors, identifying clinical and neurocognitive risk factors for poor social cognition, and describing its negative impact on attainment of functional outcomes. Future studies should investigate social cognition and neurocognitive functioning in high-risk subgroups such as medulloblastoma survivors, with a focus on neural underpinnings that may elucidate potential mechanisms linking brain damage and poor outcomes and informing potential targets for intervention 21,24,45. AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS Chiara Papini: Formal analysis, visualization, writing -original draft, and writing -review and editing.…”