Evaluation of Cerebral White Matter in Prelingually Deaf Children Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Figure 3

The mean FA values in tracts of interest [the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF); the uncinate fasciculus (UF); the inferior frontooccipital fasciculus (IFOF); the forceps major (FM); and the white matter tracts leading to Heschl’s gyrus (HG)]. In the DEAF group, DEAF4− subjects (compared with DEAF4+ subjects) exhibited significantly lower FA values in each tract of interest. However, in the HEAR group, no significant difference was apparent between HEAR 4− and HEAR4+ subjects except in the right UF. Of subjects aged <4 years, those in the DEAF4− group exhibited significantly lower FA values in all tracts of interest (except the UF) than did HEAR4− subjects. However, in subjects aged >4 years, no significant difference was apparent between the DEAF4+ and HEAR4+ groups.