Abnormal white matter microstructure in children with sensory processing disorders

Abstract

Sensory processing disorders (SPD) affect 5–16% of school-aged children and can cause long-term deficits in intellectual and social development. Current theories of SPD implicate primary sensory cortical areas and higher-order multisensory integration (MSI) cortical regions. We investigate the role of white matter microstructural abnormalities in SPD using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). DTI was acquired in 16 boys, 8–11 years old, with SPD and 24 age-, gender-, handedness- and IQ-matched neurotypical controls. Behavior was characterized using a parent report sensory behavior measure, the Sensory Profile. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD) were calculated. Tract-based spatial statistics were used to detect significant group differences in white matter integrity and to determine if microstructural parameters were significantly correlated with behavioral measures. Significant decreases in FA and increases in MD and RD were found in the SPD cohort compared to controls, primarily involving posterior white matter including the posterior corpus callosum, posterior corona radiata and posterior thalamic radiations. Strong positive correlations were observed between FA of these posterior tracts and auditory, multisensory, and inattention scores (r = 0.51–0.78; p < 0.001) with strong negative correlations between RD and multisensory and inattention scores (r = − 0.61–0.71; p < 0.001). To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate reduced white matter microstructural integrity in children with SPD. We find that the disrupted white matter microstructure predominantly involves posterior cerebral tracts and correlates strongly with atypical unimodal and multisensory integration behavior. These findings suggest abnormal white matter as a biological basis for SPD and may also distinguish SPD from overlapping clinical conditions such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): Progress in Diagnostics So Far. A Mini-Review on Imaging Techniques

“…It was also noted that in multifocal areas in the white matter within the frontal region and auditory radiation area there was delayed myelination. In general, this study concluded by means of DTI during DLT that both sensory and higher-order deficits cause listening difficulties [21] .…”

“…White-matter abnormalities generally result in a decrease in FA and increases in MD and RD. Abnormalities that are detected by DTI are referred to as decreased microstructural integrity [20,21] . Structural magnetic resonance imaging using the fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) technique is an excellent imaging technique for identifying lesions in the brain, as in MS, because it provides good spatial resolution and identification of lesions [22] .…”

“…A study was performed using DTI utilizing a 3 T Tim Trio MRI scanner (Siemens; Erlangen, Germany) to assess children with listening difficulties in comparison with typically developing children [21] . This study revealed that in children with listening difficulties there was abnormal brain connectivity: "frontal distributed atypical white matter microstructure".…”

The Relationship Between Regulation Disorders of Sensory Processing (RDSP) and White Matter Abnormalities

“…In literature, there is only one study [12] in which the association between the RDSP and neuroimaging is investigated. Owen and colleagues explored the role of white matter microstructural abnormalities in Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), finding a significant decrease in Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and increase in Mean Diffusivity (MD) and Radial Diffusivity (RD) in the SPD cohort compared to controls, primarily involving posterior white matter including the posterior corpus callosum, posterior corona radiata and posterior thalamic radiations.…”

First Year Occupational Therapy Students’ Clinical Reasoning Approach to Addressing Challenging Behaviors Related to Sensory Processing Using a Simulated Case Study

“…Green et al (2006) reported that a sensory processing approach was the third most frequent strategy used in intervention with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is evident within the literature that a wide array of children demonstrate sensory processing disturbances and that occupational therapists incorporate sensory processing approaches to address those difficulties (Owen et al, 2013;Tomchek, Huebner, & Dunn, 2014;Wickremasinghe et al, 2013). Therapists use the sensory processing frame of reference (Cole & Tufano, 2008) to guide evaluation and intervention.…”