Associations between Cortical Asymmetry and Domain Specific Cognitive Functions in Healthy Children.
Associations between Cortical Asymmetry and Domain Specific Cognitive Functions in Healthy Children.
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DOI：
10.1109/embc46164.2021.9630831
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发表时间：
2021-11
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大脑皮层的不对称性和功能的偏侧化构成了人类大脑组织的基本特征，并随着个体差异和年龄的变化而变得复杂。虽然许多研究已经调查了不同年龄组大脑半球之间的神经解剖学差异以及大脑功能的偏侧化，但很少有人研究儿童皮质不对称性与认知功能发展之间的关联。在这项研究中，我们的目的是确定大脑皮层半球不对称性之间的关系，通过MRI测量和认知发育的健康幼儿评估的全面电池的神经心理学测试。结构MRI数据来自71名年龄在7.5至8.5岁之间的儿童。结构偏侧化指数（SLI），大脑不对称性的反映，计算3个皮质形态测量：皮质厚度，表面积和灰质体积。共34个双边地区进行了研究，为整个大脑皮层所定义的Desikan地图集。使用偏相关分析控制年龄和性别的潜在混杂效应，区域SLI与特定领域的认知评分相关。多个认知领域的测试成绩和几个皮层区域的SLI之间的显着相关性。其中，楔前叶和海马总表面积SLI与执行功能行为指标显著相关;上级顶叶皮质平均厚度SLI与记忆和语言测试成绩显著相关;海马旁回SLI与语言测试成绩显著相关。这些发现揭示了可能与儿童特定认知能力有关的区域半球不对称。
Cortical asymmetry and functional lateralization form intriguing and fundamental features of human brain organization, and is complicated by individual differences and evolvement with age. While many studies have investigated neuroanatomical differences between hemispheres as well as functional lateralization of the brain for different age groups, few have looked into the associations between cortical asymmetry and development of cognitive functions in children. In this study, we aimed to identify relationships between hemispheric asymmetry in brain cortex measured by MRI and cognitive development in healthy young children evaluated by a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. Structural MRI data were obtained from 71 children in the age range of 7.5 to 8.5 years. Structural lateralization index (SLI), a reflection of the brain asymmetry, was computed for each of the 3 cortical morphometry measurements: cortical thickness, surface area and gray matter volume. A total of 34 bilateral regions were studied for the whole brain cortex as defined by the Desikan atlas. Region-wise SLI was correlated with domain specific cognitive scores using partial correlation analysis controlled for the potential confounding effects of age and sex. Significant correlations were identified between test scores of multiple cognitive domains and SLI of several cortical regions. Specifically, SLI of total surface area of precuneus and insula significantly correlated with measures of executive function behavior; significant relationships were also found between SLI of mean cortical thickness of superior parietal cortex and memory and language tests scores; in addition, SLI of parahippocampal gyrus also showed significant correlations with language test scores for all 3 morphometry features. These findings revealed regional hemispheric asymmetries that may be linked to specific cognitive abilities in children.