White matter changes linked to visual recovery after nerve decompression.

ABSTRACT: The relationship between the integrity of white matter tracts and cortical function in the human brain remains poorly understood. We investigate reversible white matter injury, in this case patients with compression of the optic chiasm by pituitary gland tumors, to study the structural and functional changes that attend spontaneous recovery of cortical function and visual abilities after surgical removal of the tumor and subsequent decompression of the nerves. We show that compression of the optic chiasm led to demyelination of the optic tracts, which reversed as quickly as 4 weeks after nerve decompression. Furthermore, variability across patients in the severity of demyelination in the optic tracts predicted visual ability and functional activity in early cortical visual areas. Preoperat

SUBMITTER: Paul DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4292937 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature