Article

Crossed cerebellar diaschisis is the disruption of functional
connectivity between cerebrum and cerebellum after hemispheric unilateral brain
lesions. In adults and to a lesser extent in children, crossed cerebellar
diaschisis has been largely investigated by functional connectivity and
demonstrated to influence paretic hand function. OBJECTIVE: We aim to demonstrate
a disruption in structural corticopontocerebellar (CPC) connectivity in children
with congenital brain lesions and examine its correlation with paretic hand motor
function. METHODS: Thirty-six children (Manual Ability Classification System: I,
n = 21; II, n = 15) with unilateral brain lesions and 18 controls were analyzed
in a case-control study, and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data were
acquired at 3T. High angular resolution diffusion imaging probabilistic
tractography was employed for the region of interest-based reconstruction of CPC
tracts. To identify statistical differences in structural cerebrocerebellar
connectivity between case and control groups, an asymmetry index based on the
number of streamlines of CPC tracts was used. In the case group, the correlation
between asymmetry index and hand function measures was also determined. RESULTS:
Projections through the middle cerebellar peduncle to the contralateral cerebral
cortex showed greater asymmetry in children with congenital unilateral brain
lesion compared to controls (P = .03), thus indicating a disruption of structural
cerebrocerebellar connectivity. The degree of asymmetry index showed a
correlation (P < .03; r = -0.31) with impaired hand abilities in bimanual tasks.
CONCLUSIONS: Disruption of structural cerebrocerebellar connectivity is present
in patients with congenital unilateral brain injury and might be related to
impaired hand function in bimanual skills, with potential implication in
tailoring early intervention strategies.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS