In a world first, researchers from Murdoch Children's Research Institute have identified markers in a child’s brain which they say can accurately predict their speech outcome following a brain injury.
These neurological predictors could help doctors to identify early who may need intensive speech therapy following a severe brain injury.
Around one in five children experience speech problems following a brain injury. Many of these children go on to have life-long speech deficits.
In a novel approach, researchers examined brain structure and function using magnetic resource imaging (MRI) on children at least a year post injury. The study of brain structure revealed that the corticobulbar tract in the left hemisphere of the brain was crucial for good speech outcome.
The study of brain function found that children with increased activation in the left hemisphere of the brain had better speech outcomes. Broca’s area has been known to be a key speech and language region for over 100 years but it has not been associated with the particular speech deficits noted in this population before. It is currently hard to predict speech outcome after a traumatic brain injury, and prior to this study there has been no prognostic markers for predicting who may experience chronic impairment. Furthermore, brain imaging has never been used before to identify those at risk of persisting speech problems.
Lead researcher, Dr Angela Morgan said the study highlights the importance of brain imaging techniques for providing an accurate prognosis of speech deficits.
“Our study showed damage to the corticobulbar tract was the best predictor of speech disorder after brain injury. Further, a positive correlation was noted between functional activation of a key left hemisphere speech and language area, Broca's region, and better speech outcome.”
“These two areas offer a promising prognostic tool for children with acquired, developmental, or degenerative neurologic conditions likely to affect speech. These predictors could help with early intervention and improve outcomes for the thousands of children who experience brain injuries in Australia every year.”
Researchers now want to follow children as soon as they have their injury to uncover how early these changes in the brain can predict prognosis, therefore allowing timely intervention.
The studies were done in collaboration with the University College London Institute of Child Health.
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