A DIFFUSION TENSOR TRACTOGRAPHY STUDY OF YOUNG MALE CHILDREN WITH FRAGILE X

该子项目是利用 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 中心，不一定是研究者的机构。 简介： 脆性X智力迟钝基因（FMR 1）的突变与许多认知和行为缺陷有关，其中之一是无法行使有效的抑制控制。 腹侧额纹状体通路连接尾状核和腹侧前额叶皮质，已知参与认知和行为的抑制。 弥散张量成像（DTI）纤维束成像提供了研究活体人脑内白色物质通路结构完整性的能力。 具体目标： 探讨腹侧额纹状体通路的结构完整性。 研究方法： 在这项研究中，我们使用DTI技术研究了脆性X、典型发育和发育迟缓年龄匹配对照组（1.58  3.64年）。 为了提高解剖学的特异性，我们使用了一种方法，分离从尾状核的腹侧部分投射到腹侧前额叶皮质的纤维，以及从尾状核的背侧部分投射到背外侧前额叶皮质的纤维。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Introduction: Mutation of the Fragile X Mental Retardation gene (FMR1) is associated with a host of cognitive and behavioral deficits, one of which is the inability to exercise effective inhibitory control. The ventral frontostriatal pathway, linking the caudate nucleus with the ventral prefrontal cortex, is known to be involved in the inhibition of cognitions and behaviors. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) tractography provides the ability to investigate the structural integrity of white matter pathways within the living human brain. Specific Aims: To investigate the structural integrity of the ventral frontostriatal pathway. Methods: In this study, we used DTI to investigate the structural integrity of the ventral frontostriatal pathway in a sample of young male children with Fragile X, Typically Developing and Developmentally Delayed age matched control groups (1.58  3.64 years). In order to improve anatomical specificity, we used an approach that dissociates fibers that project from the ventral portion of the caudate nucleus to the ventral prefrontal cortex from those that project from the dorsal portion of the caudate nucleus to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.