Event.

95th Annual Midwestern Psychological Association Conference

Abstract.

Background/Purpose. Chiari malformation type I (CMI) is a neurological disorder in which the cerebellar tonsils extend into the spinal canal. Symptoms of CMI may include headaches, neck pain, and motor disturbances. Prior research also suggests CMI may result in cognitive dysfunction (I would change this to: Additionally, prior research studies have suggested a correlation between CMI and cognitive dysfunction.) Previous CMI imaging studies mainly focus have primarily focused on cerebellar tonsil measurement and position. The purpose of this study is to investigate structural differences in grey matter volumes between CMI patients and normal controls.

Methods. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used utilized to examine voxel-wise differences in grey matter volumes of 18 CMI patients and 18 healthy controls. T1-weighted structural images were analyzed using FSL-VBM.

Results. CMI patients were found to have significantly greater grey matter volumes in the cerebellar tonsils compared to controls (p < 0.05). Several cognitive and behavioral measures were used as covariates to account for differences in grey matter volumes. The Neck Pain and Disability Index, Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Quality of Life Scale, and the stress subscale of the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale each individually accounted for the differences in grey matter between the groups (p > 0.05). Of these four covariates, none were significantly related to morphometry within each group (p > 0.05).

Conclusions. Results of this study revealed differences in grey matter volumes in the cerebellar tonsils between CMI patients and healthy controls. Stress, pain, and quality of life were associated with the morphometric difference between groups. However, additional research is needed to fully understand the implications of these differences.

Contributors.

Denise M. Ealy, Christine A. Adalikwu, Kendall Perssico, Philip A. Allen, James R. Houston