White matter integrity of the corpus callosum and neuropsychological performance i...
| Grant number: | 10/15786-1 |
| Support type: | Regular Research Grants |
| Duration: | February 01, 2011 - January 31, 2014 |
| Field of knowledge: | Health Sciences - Medicine |
| Principal Investigator: | Geraldo Busatto Filho |
| Grantee: | Geraldo Busatto Filho |
| Home Institution: | Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
| Assoc. researchers: | Alvaro Machado Dias ; Paula Approbato de Oliveira ; Paulo Jannuzzi Cunha ; Sandra Scivoletto ; Tiffany Moukbel Chaim |
Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of children and adolescent maltreatment (CAM), research studies evaluating the effects of maltreatment on brain anatomy and neuropsychological functioning in this population are still limited. There is evidence of reduced volume of the corpus callosum (CC) in association with CAM, but no study to date has evaluated the association between abnormalities of white matter (WM) tracts in the CC, interhemispheric transfer of information, and decision making, taking into account the period when the maltreatment has began. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between integrity, size and deformity of the CC, interhemispheric transfer of somatosensory information, and decision making in maltreated children and adolescents. The sample consists of 100 children and adolescents, between 8-17 years old, divided in 60 maltreated and 40 control individuals. They will undergo brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning; white matter integrity, regional volumes, and surface patterns of the CC will be determined by methods combining Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM), and Surface-Based Modeling (SBM), respectively. Neuropsychological assessment will consist of the Crossed Finger Localization Test (CFLT), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Third Edition (WISC-III), and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). We aim to detect early abnormalities that may predispose individuals who suffered CAM to later psychopathological and cognitive impairments, in the hope that such data may reinforce the need to generate future preventive and rehabilitation interventions in Public Health. (AU)