Association of cerebellar volume with cognitive and motor function in adults with congenital heart disease

INTRODUCTION: Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for cognitive and motor function impairments, brain injury, and smaller total brain volumes. The specific vulnerability of the cerebellum and its role in cognitive and motor functions in adults with congenital heart disease is not well defined. METHODS: Forty-three patients with CHD and 53 controls between 18 and 32 years underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive, executive (EF), and motor function assessment. Cerebellar volumes were obtained using EasyMeasure and SUIT Toolbox. Associations between cerebellar volumes and cognitive and motor function were calculated using linear models. RESULTS: General cognitive and pure motor functions were lower in patients compared to controls (P < 0.05). Executive functions were within the normal range. While total cerebellar volumes and the anterior lobes were similar in patients and controls (P > 0.1), the posterior cerebellar lobe was smaller in patients with more complex CHD (P = 0.006). Smaller posterior cerebellar gray matter was not associated with cognitive functions. Smaller anterior cerebellar gray matter was not significantly related to motor functions (P > 0.1). CONCLUSION: In adults with CHD, cerebellar volume was largely unimpaired. Patients with more complex CHD may be vulnerable to changes in the posterior cerebellar gray matter. We found no significant contribution of cerebellar gray matter to cognitive and motor impairments. More advanced imaging techniques are necessary to clarify the contribution of the cerebellum to cognitive and motor functions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10072-023-06861-2.