The Relationship Between Tuber Load and White Matter Pathways in Children with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate whether there are diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) changes in the white matter pathways and to determine its relationship with tuber load and corpus callosum volume (CCV).

Methods: Our study included 24 children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) (group 1) and 30 healthy controls (group 2). Total tuber load and CCV were calculated. The fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the 15 dif ferent white matter tracts were measured. The correlation between the total tuber volume, CCV, and white matter changes was investigated.

Results: The ADC values of forceps major and corticospinal tract (CST) were increased in group 1 compared to group 2. The FA val ues of corpus callosum splenium (CCS) were decreased in group 1 compared to group 2. There was a positive correlation between ADC values at corona radiata (CR), corpus callosum genu (CCG), forceps minor, forceps major, and tuber volume. There was a nega tive correlation between FA values at the anterior limb internal capsule (ALIC) and tuber volume. There was a negative correlation between the total tuber volume and CCV. There was a negative correlation between ADC values at CCG, ALIC, middle cerebellar pedicle (MCP), and CCV. There was a positive correlation between FA values at CCG and CCV.

Conclusion: We hypothesized that the white matter microstructure was prominently affected in TSC subjects, this might resulted in decrease in CCV, and it is correlated with the tuber load. Furthermore, more comprehensive studies are needed to determine the relationship between the neurocognitive dysfunction, DTI metrics, and tuber and CCV.

Cite this article as: Atasoy B. The relationship between tuber load and white matter pathways in children with tuberous sclerosis complex: A diffusion tensor imaging study. Arch Basic Clin Res. 2024;6(2):82-89.