Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39080972›Full record

ArticleDevelopmental medicine and child neurology2025

Brain MRI findings in paediatric genetic disorders associated with white matter abnormalities.

Jaakko H Oikarainen, Oula A Knuutinen, Salla M Kangas, Elisa J Rahikkala, Tytti M-L Pokka, Jukka S Moilanen, Reetta M Hinttala, Päivi M Vieira, Johanna M Uusimaa, Maria H Suo-Palosaari

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Developmental medicine and child neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Neurodegenerative Diseases in Children: A Comprehensive Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Jaakko H OikarainenMedical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.ORCID 0009-0009-8184-4160
Oula A KnuutinenMedical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.ORCID 0000-0001-5552-0925
Salla M KangasMedical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-3644-5832
Elisa J RahikkalaMedical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.ORCID 0000-0003-2760-7059
Tytti M-L PokkaMedical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.ORCID 0000-0001-5488-5885
Jukka S MoilanenMedical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-8041-3205
Reetta M HinttalaMedical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-7642-4008
Päivi M VieiraMedical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-0796-8706
Johanna M UusimaaMedical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-6794-209X
Maria H Suo-PalosaariMedical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-5500-7168

Funding

Research Council of Finland 311934Research Council of Finland 331436
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo describe the specific brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns of the paediatric genetic disorders associated with white matter abnormalities in Northern Finland.

methodIn this retrospective population-based longitudinal study, brain MRI scans accumulated from 1990 to 2019 at Oulu University Hospital, Finland, were assessed. Inclusion criteria were defined as leukodystrophies or genetic diseases with significant white matter abnormalities that did not meet the criteria for leukodystrophy, at least one brain MRI, and age under 18 years at diagnosis.

resultsA total of 83 patients (48 males, 35 females) were found with 52 different diseases. The median age at the time of the brain MRI was 22 months (interquartile range [IQR] = 46 months). In 72 (87%) of the children, brain MRIs revealed abnormal findings, including cerebral white matter abnormalities (n = 49, 59%), brainstem signal abnormalities (n = 28, 34%), thinning of the corpus callosum (n = 30, 36%), delayed myelination (n = 11, 13%), and permanent hypomyelination (n = 9, 11%).

interpretationSymmetrical and bilateral white matter signal patterns of the brain MRI should raise suspicion of genetic disorders when the clinical symptoms are compatible. This study illustrates brain imaging patterns of childhood-onset genetic disorders in a population in Northern Finland and improves the diagnostic accuracy of rare genetic disorders.

Indexed as

LeukoencephalopathiesMagnetic Resonance ImagingWhite MatterAdolescentBrainChildChild, PreschoolFemaleFinlandGenetic Diseases, InbornHumansInfantLongitudinal StudiesMaleRetrospective Studies

Identifiers

PMID39080972
PMCPMC11695792

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.