Differences in cortical surface area in developmental language disorder

• DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.13.548894
• Publication Date: 2023-07-15T07:10:12Z
• Authors: Nilgoun Bahar; Gabriel J Cler; Saloni Krishnan; Salomi S Asaridou; Harriet J Smith; Hanna E Willis; Máiréad P Healy; Kate E Watkins
• Keywords: Gyrification; Inferior frontal gyrus; Neurodevelopmental disorder; Gyrus; Broca's area

ABSTRACT Approximately seven per cent of children have developmental language disorder (DLD), a neurodevelopmental condition associated with persistent learning difficulties without known cause. Our understanding the neurobiological basis DLD is limited. Here, we used FreeSurfer to investigate cortical surface area and thickness in 54 adolescents 74 age-matched controls aged 10-16 years. We also examined asymmetries using an automated surface-based technique. Those showed smaller bilaterally inferior frontal gyrus extending anterior insula, posterior temporal ventral occipito-temporal cortex, portions cingulate superior cortex. There were no differences thickness, nor asymmetry these metrics. Post-hoc exploratory analyses revealed that left fusiform cortex related children’s reading non-word repetition scores, respectively. This study highlights importance distinguishing between investigating brain disorders suggests development be DLD. Future longitudinal studies are required understand trajectory how they relate maturation.