Brain phenotyping in Moebius syndrome and other congenital facial weakness disorders by diffusion MRI morphometry.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we used a novel imaging technique, DTI (diffusion tensor imaging)-driven tensor-based morphometry, to investigate brain anatomy in subjects diagnosed with Moebius syndrome (n = 21), other congenital facial weakness disorders (n = 9) and healthy controls (n = 15). First, we selected a subgroup of subjects who satisfied the minimum diagnostic criteria for Moebius syndrome with only mild additional neurological findings. Compared to controls, in this cohort, we found a small region of highly significant volumetric reduction in the paramedian pontine reticular formation and the medial longitudinal fasciculus, important structures for the initiation and coordination of conjugate horizontal gaze. Subsequently, we tested if volume measurements from this region

SUBMITTER: Sadeghi N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7158234 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature