The corpus callosum in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
Abstract Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of genetic disorders that affect the adrenal glands. CAH manifests in abnormal levels of cortisol and androgens and is accompanied by white matter alterations. However, no CAH study has specifically targeted the corpus callosum, the brain’s la...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88870-z |
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| author | Eileen Luders Debra Spencer Caitlin Dale Ieuan A. Hughes Ajay Thankamony Umasuthan Srirangalingam Helena Gleeson Helen Simpson Melissa Hines Florian Kurth |
| author_facet | Eileen Luders Debra Spencer Caitlin Dale Ieuan A. Hughes Ajay Thankamony Umasuthan Srirangalingam Helena Gleeson Helen Simpson Melissa Hines Florian Kurth |
| author_sort | Eileen Luders |
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| description | Abstract Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of genetic disorders that affect the adrenal glands. CAH manifests in abnormal levels of cortisol and androgens and is accompanied by white matter alterations. However, no CAH study has specifically targeted the corpus callosum, the brain’s largest white matter fiber tract. To bridge that gap in the literature, we investigated callosal morphology in 53 individuals with CAH and 53 matched controls (66 women, 40 men). In addition to calculating areas for seven callosal subsections, we estimated the callosal thickness at 100 equidistant points. All statistical analyses were conducted while co-varying for age and total brain volume and applying corrections for multiple comparisons. There were no significant effects of biological sex and no significant group-by-sex interactions. However, there was a significant effect of group, both for area measures and thickness estimates, indicating smaller dimensions within the callosal splenium and isthmus in people with CAH. Our findings corroborate previous studies highlighting white matter alterations in CAH and may suggest that callosal integrity is compromised due to potentially adverse effects of glucocorticoids, a standard treatment for both men and women with CAH. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9a95d5b95a974da8aeaf632bbeb9ca74 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-9a95d5b95a974da8aeaf632bbeb9ca742025-02-09T12:35:30ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-011511710.1038/s41598-025-88870-zThe corpus callosum in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)Eileen Luders0Debra Spencer1Caitlin Dale2Ieuan A. Hughes3Ajay Thankamony4Umasuthan Srirangalingam5Helena Gleeson6Helen Simpson7Melissa Hines8Florian Kurth9Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Psychology, University of CambridgeSchool of Psychology, University of AucklandDepartment of Paediatrics, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of CambridgeDepartment of Paediatrics, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of CambridgeDepartment of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University College Hospital LondonQueen Elizabeth HospitalDepartment of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University College Hospital LondonDepartment of Psychology, University of CambridgeSchool of Psychology, University of AucklandAbstract Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of genetic disorders that affect the adrenal glands. CAH manifests in abnormal levels of cortisol and androgens and is accompanied by white matter alterations. However, no CAH study has specifically targeted the corpus callosum, the brain’s largest white matter fiber tract. To bridge that gap in the literature, we investigated callosal morphology in 53 individuals with CAH and 53 matched controls (66 women, 40 men). In addition to calculating areas for seven callosal subsections, we estimated the callosal thickness at 100 equidistant points. All statistical analyses were conducted while co-varying for age and total brain volume and applying corrections for multiple comparisons. There were no significant effects of biological sex and no significant group-by-sex interactions. However, there was a significant effect of group, both for area measures and thickness estimates, indicating smaller dimensions within the callosal splenium and isthmus in people with CAH. Our findings corroborate previous studies highlighting white matter alterations in CAH and may suggest that callosal integrity is compromised due to potentially adverse effects of glucocorticoids, a standard treatment for both men and women with CAH.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88870-zAndrogensCorpus callosumCorticosteroidDevelopmentMagnetic resonance imagingSex |
| spellingShingle | Eileen Luders Debra Spencer Caitlin Dale Ieuan A. Hughes Ajay Thankamony Umasuthan Srirangalingam Helena Gleeson Helen Simpson Melissa Hines Florian Kurth The corpus callosum in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) Scientific Reports Androgens Corpus callosum Corticosteroid Development Magnetic resonance imaging Sex |
| title | The corpus callosum in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) |
| title_full | The corpus callosum in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) |
| title_fullStr | The corpus callosum in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) |
| title_full_unstemmed | The corpus callosum in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) |
| title_short | The corpus callosum in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) |
| title_sort | corpus callosum in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia cah |
| topic | Androgens Corpus callosum Corticosteroid Development Magnetic resonance imaging Sex |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88870-z |
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