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Is size of the corpus callosum a screening index for neurodevelopment abnormalities?

October 28th, 2013

The corpus callosum is the largest white matter fiber bundle in the human brain, the major interhemispheric commissure that connects the majority of the neocortical areas, and is important for interhemispheric communication between sensory, motor, and higher-order brain regions. Brain development can be indirectly evaluated through serial monitoring of callosal developmental changes. MRI studies of children spanning from young children to adolescents have indicated that functional impairments found in prematurely born individuals are associated with smaller corpus collosa.

However, studying corpus callosum length alone may not be enough. Corpus callosum thickness (including the genu, body, and splenium) can be measured through the anterior fontanelle on the standard mid-sagittal plane. In addition, the anteroposterior diameter of the genu can be measured on the coronal plane. Can these ultrasound indicators be used as estimated indicators for neurological development of premature infants? Prof. Fang Liu and her team from Bethune International Peace Hospital, China found that corpus callosum length, and thickness of the genu and splenium can be used to evaluate corpus callosum development in premature infants. Moreover, corpus callosum development in premature infants was associated with early neurobehavioral development of newborn infants. Monitoring corpus callosum development can be used to screen premature infants, predict the likelihood of future abnormal neurobehavioral development, and provides evidence for early intervention.

These findings were published in the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 8, No. 26, 2013).

More information:
"Ultrasound measurement of the corpus callosum and neural development of premature infants " Liu F, Cao SK, Liu JR, Du ZF, Guo ZM, Ren CJ. Ultrasound measurement of the corpus callosum and neural development of premature infants. Neural Regen Res. 2013;8(26):2432-2440.

Provided by Neural Regeneration Research

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