"Uncovering Unique Brain Structure in Children with Language Development Issues"
In a groundbreaking discovery, Georgetown University Medical Center neuroscientists have pinpointed an abnormality in the brains of children with developmental language impairments. This finding, published in Nature Human Behaviour, sheds light on a previously unrecognized disorder that affects language development in children.
The researchers focused on the anterior neostriatum within the basal ganglia, a region of the brain traditionally associated with movement. Through a comprehensive analysis of 22 studies, they observed abnormalities in this specific brain structure in 100% of cases involving developmental language disorder, highlighting its significance in language difficulties.
Lead author Michael T. Ullman, PhD, emphasized the importance of understanding the neural basis of developmental language problems to raise awareness and improve diagnostics and treatments. The study suggests that drugs targeting dopamine receptors, known to improve movement impairments related to basal ganglia dysfunction, could be beneficial. Additionally, interventions focusing on intact brain structures and utilizing basal ganglia abnormalities as early biomarkers may lead to early therapeutic interventions for affected children.
The potential implications of this research extend beyond diagnosis and treatment. By unraveling the neurobiological underpinnings of developmental language disorder, especially the role of the basal ganglia, researchers aim to provide much-needed support to the numerous children grappling with these challenges.
The study was a collaborative effort involving researchers at Georgetown University, Deakin University in Australia, and the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Financial support from various sources, including NIH and NSF grants, enabled this critical research to advance our understanding of developmental language impairments.
Georgetown University Medical Center, known for its commitment to education, research, and patient care, continues to push the boundaries of scientific discovery. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and a dedication to improving human health, GUMC exemplifies the ethos of cura personalis, caring for the whole person.
As we delve deeper into the complexities of the human brain and its impact on language development, this study serves as a beacon of hope for children with developmental language impairments and their families. By uncovering the neural mechanisms at play, we move closer to personalized interventions and improved outcomes for those affected by this often overlooked disorder.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1037215
The researchers focused on the anterior neostriatum within the basal ganglia, a region of the brain traditionally associated with movement. Through a comprehensive analysis of 22 studies, they observed abnormalities in this specific brain structure in 100% of cases involving developmental language disorder, highlighting its significance in language difficulties.
Lead author Michael T. Ullman, PhD, emphasized the importance of understanding the neural basis of developmental language problems to raise awareness and improve diagnostics and treatments. The study suggests that drugs targeting dopamine receptors, known to improve movement impairments related to basal ganglia dysfunction, could be beneficial. Additionally, interventions focusing on intact brain structures and utilizing basal ganglia abnormalities as early biomarkers may lead to early therapeutic interventions for affected children.
The potential implications of this research extend beyond diagnosis and treatment. By unraveling the neurobiological underpinnings of developmental language disorder, especially the role of the basal ganglia, researchers aim to provide much-needed support to the numerous children grappling with these challenges.
The study was a collaborative effort involving researchers at Georgetown University, Deakin University in Australia, and the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Financial support from various sources, including NIH and NSF grants, enabled this critical research to advance our understanding of developmental language impairments.
Georgetown University Medical Center, known for its commitment to education, research, and patient care, continues to push the boundaries of scientific discovery. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and a dedication to improving human health, GUMC exemplifies the ethos of cura personalis, caring for the whole person.
As we delve deeper into the complexities of the human brain and its impact on language development, this study serves as a beacon of hope for children with developmental language impairments and their families. By uncovering the neural mechanisms at play, we move closer to personalized interventions and improved outcomes for those affected by this often overlooked disorder.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1037215
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