Unravelling Neurodevelopment: A Comprehensive Neuroimaging Exploration of Paediatric Disorders in a Tertiary Care Setting

Nikhita Gupta; Shaifali Gangwar; Pramod Kumar

doi:10.55489/njmr.14022024992

Authors

Nikhita Gupta Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly ,Uttar Pradesh, India
Shaifali Gangwar Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly ,Uttar Pradesh, India
Pramod Kumar Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly ,Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njmr.14022024992

Keywords:

ADHD, Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ), SLD, intellectual disability, specific learning disabilities, diffusion tensor imaging

Abstract

Background: Paediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability (ID), and specific learning disabilities (SLD), present a growing healthcare challenge globally. This study, conducted at a tertiary care hospital in India, aims to explore the utility of neuroimaging techniques in understanding the structural and functional abnormalities associated with these disorders, considering the unique demographic and healthcare landscape of India.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team collaborated in a cross-sectional observational study involving paediatric patients diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders. State-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI (fMRI) were employed. Participants underwent clinical assessments, and neuroimaging data were analyzed for structural and functional abnormalities. Advanced techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were utilized to explore microstructural changes in white matter tracts.

Results: Distinct neuroimaging patterns were observed in different neurodevelopmental disorders. Structural abnormalities were prominent in ASD and ID, with nuanced variations in gray and white matter volumes. Functional connectivity abnormalities in ADHD were highlighted, emphasizing the involvement of attention and executive function networks. DTI revealed microstructural changes in white matter tracts, particularly in the prefrontal-striatal circuitry in ADHD and disruptions in interhemispheric communication in ASD.

Conclusion: Our study contributes valuable insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of paediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing the importance of neuroimaging for tailored diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

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