Characterization of language and reading skills in familial polymicrogyria.

Journal: Brain & Development
Published:
Abstract

Polymicrogyria (PMG) is a malformation of cortical development characterized by an excessive number of small gyri and abnormal cortical lamination, giving the cortical surface an irregular and gross appearance. The severity of clinical manifestations correlates with the extent of cortical involvement. The objective of the present study was to describe three families with linguistic features of developmental language disorder and reading impairment, and to establish a neuroanatomic correlation through neuroimaging. Subjects have been submitted to a comprehensive protocol including psychological assessment, language evaluation, neurological examination, and neuroimaging investigation. In our families, children usually had the diagnosis of developmental language disorder while adults had the diagnosis of reading impairment. MRI showed perisylvian polymicrogyria in several subjects of each family. Our data support the idea that there is a co-occurrence of developmental language disorder and reading impairment and both conditions may be associated with polymicrogyria.

Authors
Ecila Paula Oliveira, Simone Rocha Hage, Catarina Guimarães, Iara Brandão Almeida, Iscia Lopes Cendes, Carlos Guerreiro, Karine Couto Teixeira, Maria Montenegro, Fernando Cendes, Marilisa Guerreiro