Alterations in cortical and subcortical neuroanatomy and associations with behavior in females with fragile X syndrome

Abstract

Aim: To address substantial gaps in the literature on neuroanatomical variations in females with fragile X syndrome (FXS).

Method: Surface-based modeling techniques were applied to the magnetic resonance imaging of 45 females with FXS (mean age = 10 years 9 months, range 6 years-16 years 4 months, SD = 2 years 9 months) and 33 age-matched and developmentally matched females without FXS to elucidate differences in cortical gray matter volume, surface area, and thickness. Gray matter volumes in subcortical regions were examined to ascertain differences in subcortical volume.

Results: In females with FXS, cortical volume was greater bilaterally in the occipital pole and smaller in the right postcentral gyrus. Seven regions demonstrated lower surface area in participants with FXS, while cortical thickness was significantly greater over the posterior and medial surfaces in the group with FXS. Subcortical region of interest analyses demonstrated greater volume in the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, and nucleus accumbens in the group with FXS. Global gray matter volume, pial thickness, and surface area were associated with behavioral outcomes in the group with FXS but not in the comparison group.

Interpretation: Females with FXS demonstrated unique cortical and subcortical gray matter anatomy relative to a matched comparison group. These findings may be relevant to the pathogenesis of the FXS behavioral phenotype and provide insights into behavioral interventions targeted to this population.

Figure 1:

Whole-brain cortical gray matter volume differences between the two groups, with age and total brain volume included as covariates of non-interest. Abbreviation: FXS, fragile X syndrome.

Figure 2:

Whole-brain gray matter surface area differences between the two groups, with age and total brain volume included as covariates of non-interest. Abbreviation: FXS, fragile X syndrome.

Figure 3:

Whole-brain gray matter thickness differences between the two groups, with age included as a covariate of non-interest. Abbreviation: FXS, fragile X syndrome.

Figure 4:

Whole-brain gray matter thickness differences between the two groups, covarying for weighted mean thickness and age. Abbreviation: FXS, fragile X syndrome.