PMG is not lissencephaly, but is often included because of the similarity in brain scan appearance on poorer quality scans and because many of the symptoms are similar.
Most children with polymicrogyria, but not all, have some degree of global developmental disabilities or delays, seizures, feeding difficulties, respiratory problems, motor dysfunction and mental retardation. It is difficult to make a predictable prognosis for children with the diagnosis of PMG because each child is very unique in their presentation of this disorder.
PMG results from several different causes that are both genetic and non-genetic in nature as follows:
There are several forms of PMG the mildest form, unilateral focal polymicrogyria, may have minimal neurologic manifestations. In more severe forms, focal, motor, sensory, visual, or cognitive problems may be present, depending on the brain region affected. In the most widespread form, bilateral generalized polymicrogyria, severe mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and refractory epilepsy may be present. The form of PMG that Mason has is called bilateral frontoparietal polymicrogyria.
Research is ongoing into PMG, both in identifying the different types and in the understanding of the underlying causes.
The primary research on Polymicrogyria is being done at the Christopher A. Walsh Laboratory. Click on the following link more information on the research being done.
