Brain Cortical Changes in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients with Intermittent Exotropia Basic Type: SBM Analysis on MRI Morphological Data

Motivation: Basic type of intermittent exotropia (IXT) is one of the most common strabismus subtypes in children and adolescents, yet a clear consensus of its etiology and treatment approach is still lacking. Goal(s): To discover abnormal brain cortical structures related to this disease and explore the central nervous system mechanisms of IXT. Approach: Basic type IXT patients and healthy volunteers were recruited, cortical structures extracted from their whole-brain MRI morphological data were compared using the SBM method. Results: Distinct differences of cortical thickness and curvature between the two groups were found, located in the right rostral middle frontal cortex and the left precuneus. Impact: Our results suggesting that the primary pathological changes in this disease may differ from traditional perspectives. Based on these findings, we have proposed a new pathogenic hypothesis and introduced novel treatment recommendations.