1
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Vingerhoets G, Gerrits R, Karlsson EM. Brain (Yakovlevian) torque direction is associated with volume asymmetry of the intracranial transverse sinuses: evidence from situs inversus totalis. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:1461-1470. [PMID: 38811411 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-024-02810-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Previous research reported reversal of the prototypical brain torque in individuals with mirrored visceral topology (situs inversus totalis, SIT). Here, we investigate if typical asymmetry of the posterior intracranial venous system is also reversed in SIT and whether the direction and magnitude of this asymmetry is related to the direction and magnitude of the brain torque. Brain structural MRI images of 38 participants with SIT were compared with those of 38 matched control participants. Occipital and frontal petalia and bending were measured using a standardized procedure. In addition, representative sections of the left and right transverse sinuses were segmented, and their respective volumes determined. Participants with SIT showed general reversal of occipital and frontal petalia and occipital bending, as well as reversal of typical transverse sinus asymmetry. Transverse sinus volume was significantly correlated with several torque measures, such that the smaller transverse sinus was associated with a larger ipsilateral occipital petalia, contralateral occipital bending, and ipsilateral frontal bending. We propose an anatomical mechanism to explain occipital petalia and bending, and conclude that anatomical constraints imposed by the asymmetry of the posterior venous system provide and additional account to elucidate the formation of the human brain torque.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Vingerhoets
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Ghent Institute for Metabolic and Functional Imaging (GIfMI), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Robin Gerrits
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Ghent Institute for Metabolic and Functional Imaging (GIfMI), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emma M Karlsson
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Ghent Institute for Metabolic and Functional Imaging (GIfMI), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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2
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Pei J, Liao X, Ge L, Liu J, Jiang X. Anterior cerebral falx plane in MR images to estimate the craniofacial midline. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16489. [PMID: 37779134 PMCID: PMC10543626 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42807-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple methods have been proposed for evaluating the symmetry of facial contour by utilizing the median sagittal plane of the skull as a reference and measuring the maxillofacial region. To replace the manual mark point analysis method, we used the anterior cerebral falx plane in MRI images as an indicator of the craniofacial midline. The MRI examination data of 30 individuals were analyzed with a MeVisLab workstation. Two independent examiners performed 15 anthropometric measurements (4 angular, 11 linear) and compared the MRI-based anterior cerebral falx plane with the manual mark point analysis of the craniofacial midline estimation. All measurements were repeated after 3 weeks. Statistical analyses included the repeatability and reproducibility of the 2 methods based on intra-observer and inter-observer correlation coefficients (ICCs), respectively. Precision was estimated by intergroup comparison of the coefficient of variation. The anterior falx plane derived from the MRI data resulted in an intra-observer ICC of 0.869 ± 0.065 (range 0.733-0.936) and inter-observer ICC of 0.876 ± 0.0417 (0.798-0.932) for all measurements, showing significant correlations with the ICC values obtained by the mark point method (p < 0.05). The coefficient of variation showed that the precisions of the 2 methods were statistically comparable. We conclude that, for MRI-based craniofacial midline estimation, measurements made using the anterior cerebral falx plane are as precise, repeatable, and reproducible as those using the manual mark point analysis method. It has a high potential for application in radiation-free 3-dimensional craniofacial analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Pei
- Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Yuanlin Road 98, Chi Feng, 150400, Neimenggu, China
| | - Xu Liao
- Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Yuanlin Road 98, Chi Feng, 150400, Neimenggu, China
| | - Lingling Ge
- Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Yuanlin Road 98, Chi Feng, 150400, Neimenggu, China
| | - Jianwei Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Yuanlin Road 98, Chi Feng, 150400, Neimenggu, China
| | - Xiling Jiang
- Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Yuanlin Road 98, Chi Feng, 150400, Neimenggu, China.
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3
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Wang J, Ma S, Yu P, He X. Evolution of Human Brain Left-Right Asymmetry: Old Genes with New Functions. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad181. [PMID: 37561991 PMCID: PMC10473864 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is generally anatomically symmetrical, boasting mirror-like brain regions in the left and right hemispheres. Despite this symmetry, fine-scale structural asymmetries are prevalent and are believed to be responsible for distinct functional divisions within the brain. Prior studies propose that these asymmetric structures are predominantly primate specific or even unique to humans, suggesting that the genes contributing to the structural asymmetry of the human brain might have evolved recently. In our study, we identified approximately 1,500 traits associated with human brain asymmetry by collecting paired brain magnetic resonance imaging features from the UK Biobank. Each trait is measured in a specific region of one hemisphere and mirrored in the corresponding region of the other hemisphere. Conducting genome-wide association studies on these traits, we identified over 1,000 quantitative trait loci. Around these index single nucleotide polymorphisms, we found approximately 200 genes that are enriched in brain-related Gene Ontology terms and are predominantly upregulated in brain tissues. Interestingly, most of these genes are evolutionarily old, originating just prior to the emergence of Bilateria (bilaterally symmetrical animals) and Euteleostomi (bony vertebrates with a brain), at a significantly higher ratio than expected. Further analyses of these genes reveal a brain-specific upregulation in humans relative to other mammalian species. This suggests that the structural asymmetry of the human brain has been shaped by evolutionarily ancient genes that have assumed new functions over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Sidi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Peijie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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4
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Saltoun K, Adolphs R, Paul LK, Sharma V, Diedrichsen J, Yeo BTT, Bzdok D. Dissociable brain structural asymmetry patterns reveal unique phenome-wide profiles. Nat Hum Behav 2023; 7:251-268. [PMID: 36344655 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-022-01461-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Broca reported ~150 years ago that particular lesions of the left hemisphere impair speech. Since then, other brain regions have been reported to show lateralized structure and function. Yet, studies of brain asymmetry have limited their focus to pairwise comparisons between homologous regions. Here, we characterized separable whole-brain asymmetry patterns in grey and white matter structure from n = 37,441 UK Biobank participants. By pooling information on left-right shifts underlying whole-brain structure, we deconvolved signatures of brain asymmetry that are spatially distributed rather than locally constrained. Classically asymmetric regions turned out to belong to more than one asymmetry pattern. Instead of a single dominant signature, we discovered complementary asymmetry patterns that contributed similarly to whole-brain asymmetry at the population level. These asymmetry patterns were associated with unique collections of phenotypes, ranging from early lifestyle factors to demographic status to mental health indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Saltoun
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,School of Computer Science, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ralph Adolphs
- Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.,Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Lynn K Paul
- Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.,International Research Consortium for the Corpus Callosum and Cerebral Connectivity (IRC5), Pasadena, CA, USA.,Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, Travis Research Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Vaibhav Sharma
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joern Diedrichsen
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - B T Thomas Yeo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Centre for Sleep & Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.,N.1 Institute for Health & Institute for Digital Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Danilo Bzdok
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. .,Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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5
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Zhao L, Matloff W, Shi Y, Cabeen RP, Toga AW. Mapping Complex Brain Torque Components and Their Genetic Architecture and Phenomic Associations in 24,112 Individuals. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:753-768. [PMID: 35027165 PMCID: PMC8957509 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The functional significance and mechanisms determining the development and individual variability of structural brain asymmetry remain unclear. Here, we systematically analyzed all relevant components of the most prominent structural asymmetry, brain torque (BT), and their relationships with potential genetic and nongenetic modifiers in a sample comprising 24,112 individuals from six cohorts. METHODS BT features, including petalia, bending, dorsoventral shift, brain tissue distribution asymmetries, and cortical surface positional asymmetries, were directly modeled using a set of automatic three-dimensional brain shape analysis approaches. Age-, sex-, and handedness-related effects on BT were assessed. The genetic architecture and phenomic associations of BT were investigated using genome- and phenome-wide association scans. RESULTS Our results confirmed the population-level predominance of the typical counterclockwise torque and suggested a first attenuating, then enlarging dynamic across the life span (3-81 years) primarily for frontal, occipital, and perisylvian BT features. Sex/handedness, BT, and cognitive function of verbal-numerical reasoning were found to be interrelated statistically. We observed differential heritability of up to 56% for BT, especially in temporal language areas. Individual variations of BT were also associated with various phenotypic variables of neuroanatomy, cognition, lifestyle, sociodemographics, anthropometry, physical health, and adult and child mental health. Our genomic analyses identified a number of genetic associations at lenient significance levels, which need to be further validated using larger samples in the future. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a comprehensive description of BT and insights into biological and other factors that may contribute to the development and individual variations of BT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhao
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - William Matloff
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yonggang Shi
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ryan P Cabeen
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Arthur W Toga
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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6
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Bhattacharjee S, Kashyap R, Goodwill AM, O'Brien BA, Rapp B, Oishi K, Desmond JE, Chen SHA. Sex difference in tDCS current mediated by changes in cortical anatomy: A study across young, middle and older adults. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:125-140. [PMID: 34826627 PMCID: PMC9041842 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The observed variability in the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is influenced by the amount of current reaching the targeted region-of-interest (ROI). Age and sex might affect current density at target ROI due to their impact on cortical anatomy. The present tDCS simulation study investigates the effects of cortical anatomical parameters (volumes, dimension, and torque) on simulated tDCS current density in healthy young, middle-aged, and older males and females. METHODOLOGY Individualized head models from 240 subjects (120 males, 18-87 years of age) were used to identify the estimated current density (2 mA current intensity, 25 cm2 electrode) from two simulated tDCS montages (CP5_CZ and F3_FP2) targeting the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and middle frontal gyrus (MFG), respectively. Cortical parameters including segmented brain volumes (cerebrospinal fluid [CSF], grey and white matter), cerebral-dimensions (length/width &length/height) and brain-torque (front and back shift, petalia, and bending) were measured using the magnetic resonance images (MRIs) from each subject. The present study estimated sex differences in current density at these target ROIs mediated by these cortical parameters within each age group. RESULTS For both tDCS montages, females in the older age group received higher current density than their male counterparts at the target ROIs. No sex differences were observed in the middle-aged group. Males in the younger age group had a higher current density than females, only for the parietal montage. Across all age groups, CSF, and grey matter volumes significantly predicted the current intensity estimated at the target sites. In the older age group only, brain-torque was a significant mediator of the sex difference. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate the presence of sex differences in the simulated tDCS current density, however this pattern differed across age groups and stimulation locations. Future studies should consider influence of age and sex on individual cortical anatomy and tailor tDCS stimulation parameters accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajan Kashyap
- Centre for Research and Development in Learning (CRADLE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| | - Alicia M Goodwill
- Centre for Research and Development in Learning (CRADLE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| | - Beth Ann O'Brien
- Centre for Research in Child Development (CRCD), National Institute of Education, Singapore.
| | - Brenda Rapp
- The Johns Hopkins University, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Baltimore, United States.
| | - Kenichi Oishi
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.
| | - John E Desmond
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.
| | - S H Annabel Chen
- Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Centre for Research and Development in Learning (CRADLE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKC Medicine), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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7
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Chen YC, Arnatkevičiūtė A, McTavish E, Pang JC, Chopra S, Suo C, Fornito A, Aquino KM. The individuality of shape asymmetries of the human cerebral cortex. eLife 2022; 11:75056. [PMID: 36197720 PMCID: PMC9668337 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Asymmetries of the cerebral cortex are found across diverse phyla and are particularly pronounced in humans, with important implications for brain function and disease. However, many prior studies have confounded asymmetries due to size with those due to shape. Here, we introduce a novel approach to characterize asymmetries of the whole cortical shape, independent of size, across different spatial frequencies using magnetic resonance imaging data in three independent datasets. We find that cortical shape asymmetry is highly individualized and robust, akin to a cortical fingerprint, and identifies individuals more accurately than size-based descriptors, such as cortical thickness and surface area, or measures of inter-regional functional coupling of brain activity. Individual identifiability is optimal at coarse spatial scales (~37 mm wavelength), and shape asymmetries show scale-specific associations with sex and cognition, but not handedness. While unihemispheric cortical shape shows significant heritability at coarse scales (~65 mm wavelength), shape asymmetries are determined primarily by subject-specific environmental effects. Thus, coarse-scale shape asymmetries are highly personalized, sexually dimorphic, linked to individual differences in cognition, and are primarily driven by stochastic environmental influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chi Chen
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Monash Data Futures Institute, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Aurina Arnatkevičiūtė
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Eugene McTavish
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic UniversityFitzroyAustralia
| | - James C Pang
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Sidhant Chopra
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Department of Psychology, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
| | - Chao Suo
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,BrainPark, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Alex Fornito
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Kevin M Aquino
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,School of Physics, University of SydneySydneyAustralia,Center of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, University of SydneySydneyAustralia,BrainKey IncSan FranciscoUnited States
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8
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Kong XZ, Postema M, Schijven D, Castillo AC, Pepe A, Crivello F, Joliot M, Mazoyer B, Fisher SE, Francks C. Large-Scale Phenomic and Genomic Analysis of Brain Asymmetrical Skew. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:4151-4168. [PMID: 33836062 PMCID: PMC8328207 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The human cerebral hemispheres show a left-right asymmetrical torque pattern, which has been claimed to be absent in chimpanzees. The functional significance and developmental mechanisms are unknown. Here, we carried out the largest-ever analysis of global brain shape asymmetry in magnetic resonance imaging data. Three population datasets were used, UK Biobank (N = 39 678), Human Connectome Project (N = 1113), and BIL&GIN (N = 453). At the population level, there was an anterior and dorsal skew of the right hemisphere, relative to the left. Both skews were associated independently with handedness, and various regional gray and white matter metrics oppositely in the two hemispheres, as well as other variables related to cognitive functions, sociodemographic factors, and physical and mental health. The two skews showed single nucleotide polymorphisms-based heritabilities of 4-13%, but also substantial polygenicity in causal mixture model analysis, and no individually significant loci were found in genome-wide association studies for either skew. There was evidence for a significant genetic correlation between horizontal brain skew and autism, which requires future replication. These results provide the first large-scale description of population-average brain skews and their inter-individual variations, their replicable associations with handedness, and insights into biological and other factors which associate with human brain asymmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Zhen Kong
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310028, China
| | - Merel Postema
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands
| | - Dick Schijven
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands
| | - Amaia Carrión Castillo
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands
| | - Antonietta Pepe
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR5293, Groupe d’Imagerie Neurofonctionnelle, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux cedex 33076, France
| | - Fabrice Crivello
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR5293, Groupe d’Imagerie Neurofonctionnelle, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux cedex 33076, France
| | - Marc Joliot
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR5293, Groupe d’Imagerie Neurofonctionnelle, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux cedex 33076, France
| | - Bernard Mazoyer
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR5293, Groupe d’Imagerie Neurofonctionnelle, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux cedex 33076, France
| | - Simon E Fisher
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen 6525 EN, The Netherlands
| | - Clyde Francks
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen 6525 XD, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen 6525 EN, The Netherlands
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9
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Abstract
The endocast was paid great attention in the study of human brain evolution. However, compared to that of the cerebrum, the cerebellar lobe is poorly studied regarding its morphology, function, and evolutionary changes in the process of human evolution. In this study, we define the major axis and four measurements to inspect possible asymmetric patterns within the genus Homo. Results show that significant asymmetry is only observed for the cerebellar length in modern humans and is absent in Homo erectus and Neanderthals. The influence of occipital petalia is obscure due to the small sample size for H. erectus and Neanderthals, while it has a significant influence over the asymmetries of cerebellar height and horizontal orientation in modern humans. Although the length and height of the Neanderthal cerebellum are comparable to that of modern humans, its sagittal orientation is closer to that of H. erectus, which is wider than that of modern humans. The cerebellar morphological difference between Neanderthals and modern humans is suggested to be related to high cognitive activities, such as social factors and language ability.
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10
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Vickery S, Hopkins WD, Sherwood CC, Schapiro SJ, Latzman RD, Caspers S, Gaser C, Eickhoff SB, Dahnke R, Hoffstaedter F. Chimpanzee brain morphometry utilizing standardized MRI preprocessing and macroanatomical annotations. eLife 2020; 9:e60136. [PMID: 33226338 PMCID: PMC7723405 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimpanzees are among the closest living relatives to humans and, as such, provide a crucial comparative model for investigating primate brain evolution. In recent years, human brain mapping has strongly benefited from enhanced computational models and image processing pipelines that could also improve data analyses in animals by using species-specific templates. In this study, we use structural MRI data from the National Chimpanzee Brain Resource (NCBR) to develop the chimpanzee brain reference template Juna.Chimp for spatial registration and the macro-anatomical brain parcellation Davi130 for standardized whole-brain analysis. Additionally, we introduce a ready-to-use image processing pipeline built upon the CAT12 toolbox in SPM12, implementing a standard human image preprocessing framework in chimpanzees. Applying this approach to data from 194 subjects, we find strong evidence for human-like age-related gray matter atrophy in multiple regions of the chimpanzee brain, as well as, a general rightward asymmetry in brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Vickery
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7) Research Centre JülichJülichGermany
| | - William D Hopkins
- Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterBastropUnited States
| | - Chet C Sherwood
- Department of Anthropology and Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, The George Washington UniversityWashingtonUnited States
| | - Steven J Schapiro
- Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterBastropUnited States
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Robert D Latzman
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Svenja Caspers
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre JülichJülichGermany
- Institute for Anatomy I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
- JARA-BRAIN, Jülich-Aachen Research AllianceJülichGermany
| | - Christian Gaser
- Structural Brain Mapping Group, Department of Neurology, Jena University HospitalJenaGermany
- Structural Brain Mapping Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University HospitalJenaGermany
| | - Simon B Eickhoff
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7) Research Centre JülichJülichGermany
| | - Robert Dahnke
- Structural Brain Mapping Group, Department of Neurology, Jena University HospitalJenaGermany
- Structural Brain Mapping Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University HospitalJenaGermany
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Felix Hoffstaedter
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7) Research Centre JülichJülichGermany
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11
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Xiang L, Crow TJ, Hopkins WD, Roberts N. Comparison of Surface Area and Cortical Thickness Asymmetry in the Human and Chimpanzee Brain. Cereb Cortex 2020; 34:bhaa202. [PMID: 33026423 PMCID: PMC10859246 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparative study of the structural asymmetry of the human and chimpanzee brain may shed light on the evolution of language and other cognitive abilities in humans. Here we report the results of vertex-wise and ROI-based analyses that compared surface area (SA) and cortical thickness (CT) asymmetries in 3D MR images obtained for 91 humans and 77 chimpanzees. The human brain is substantially more asymmetric than the chimpanzee brain. In particular, the human brain has 1) larger total SA in the right compared with the left cerebral hemisphere, 2) a global torque-like asymmetry pattern of widespread thicker cortex in the left compared with the right frontal and the right compared with the left temporo-parieto-occipital lobe, and 3) local asymmetries, most notably in medial occipital cortex and superior temporal gyrus, where rightward asymmetry is observed for both SA and CT. There is also 4) a prominent asymmetry specific to the chimpanzee brain, namely, rightward CT asymmetry of precentral cortex. These findings provide evidence of there being substantial differences in asymmetry between the human and chimpanzee brain. The unique asymmetries of the human brain are potential neural substrates for cognitive specializations, and the presence of significant CT asymmetry of precentral gyrus in the chimpanzee brain should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xiang
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Timothy J Crow
- POWIC, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - William D Hopkins
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
| | - Neil Roberts
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
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12
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Spocter MA, Sherwood CC, Schapiro SJ, Hopkins WD. Reproducibility of leftward planum temporale asymmetries in two genetically isolated populations of chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes). Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201320. [PMID: 32900313 PMCID: PMC7542794 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Once considered a hallmark of human uniqueness, brain asymmetry has emerged as a feature shared with several other species, including chimpanzees, one of our closest living relatives. Most notable has been the discovery of asymmetries in homologues of cortical language areas in apes, particularly in the planum temporale (PT), considered a central node of the human language network. Several lines of evidence indicate a role for genetic mechanisms in the emergence of PT asymmetry; however, the genetic determinants of cerebral asymmetries have remained elusive. Studies in humans suggest that there is heritability of brain asymmetries of the PT, but this has not been explored to any extent in chimpanzees. Furthermore, the potential influence of non-genetic factors has raised questions about the reproducibility of earlier observations of PT asymmetry reported in chimpanzees. As such, the present study was aimed at examining both the heritability of phenotypic asymmetries in PT morphology, as well as their reproducibility. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we evaluated morphological asymmetries of PT surface area (mm2) and mean depth (mm) in captive chimpanzees (n = 291) derived from two genetically isolated populations. Our results confirm that chimpanzees exhibit a significant population-level leftward asymmetry for PT surface area, as well as significant heritability in the surface area and mean depth of the PT. These results conclusively demonstrate the existence of a leftward bias in PT asymmetry in chimpanzees and suggest that genetic mechanisms play a key role in the emergence of anatomical asymmetry in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad A. Spocter
- Department of Anatomy, Des Moines University, 3200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA
- School of Anatomical Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
| | - Chet C. Sherwood
- Department of Anthropology and Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Steven J. Schapiro
- Department of Comparative Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - William D. Hopkins
- Department of Comparative Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
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13
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Graïc JM, Peruffo A, Corain L, Centelleghe C, Granato A, Zanellato E, Cozzi B. Asymmetry in the Cytoarchitecture of the Area 44 Homolog of the Brain of the Chimpanzee Pan troglodytes. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:55. [PMID: 32973465 PMCID: PMC7471632 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of the brain in apes and man followed a joint pathway stemming from common ancestors 5-10 million years ago. However, although apparently sharing similar organization and neurochemical properties, association areas of the isocortex remain one of the cornerstones of what sets humans aside from other primates. Brodmann's area 44, the area of Broca, is known for its implication in speech, and thus indirectly is a key mark of human uniqueness. This latero-caudal part of the frontal lobe shows a marked functional asymmetry in humans, and takes part in other complex functions, including learning and imitation, tool use, music and contains the mirror neuron system (MNS). Since the main features in the cytoarchitecture of Broca's area remains relatively constant in hominids, including in our closest relative, the chimpanzee Pan troglodytes, investigations on the finer structure, cellular organization, connectivity and eventual asymmetry of area 44 have a direct bearing on the understanding of the neural mechanisms at the base of our language. The semi-automated image analysis technology that we employed in the current study showed that the structure of the cortical layers of the chimpanzee contains elements of asymmetry that are discussed in relation to the corresponding human areas and the putative resulting disparity of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Marie Graïc
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonella Peruffo
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Livio Corain
- Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Cinzia Centelleghe
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Granato
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Zanellato
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Bruno Cozzi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Neubauer S, Gunz P, Scott NA, Hublin JJ, Mitteroecker P. Evolution of brain lateralization: A shared hominid pattern of endocranial asymmetry is much more variable in humans than in great apes. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaax9935. [PMID: 32110727 PMCID: PMC7021492 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax9935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Brain lateralization is commonly interpreted as crucial for human brain function and cognition. However, as comparative studies among primates are rare, it is not known which aspects of lateralization are really uniquely human. Here, we quantify both pattern and magnitude of brain shape asymmetry based on endocranial imprints of the braincase in humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. Like previous studies, we found that humans were more asymmetric than chimpanzees, however so were gorillas and orangutans, highlighting the need to broaden the comparative framework for interpretation. We found that the average spatial asymmetry pattern, previously considered to be uniquely human, was shared among humans and apes. In humans, however, it was less directed, and different local asymmetries were less correlated. We, thus, found human asymmetry to be much more variable compared with that of apes. These findings likely reflect increased functional and developmental modularization of the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Neubauer
- Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Philipp Gunz
- Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nadia A. Scott
- Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jean-Jacques Hublin
- Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Collège de France, 11 Place Marcelin Berthelot, 75005 Paris, France
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15
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Vannucci RC, Heier LA, Vannucci SJ. Cerebral asymmetry during development using linear measures from MRI. Early Hum Dev 2019; 139:104853. [PMID: 31473466 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2019.104853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Asymmetry of the human brain is a well-known phenomenon, but the nature and extent of these differences throughout postnatal development have not been examined. Accordingly, linear measurements of the brains of 121 infants, children, and adolescents were determined to ascertain cerebral hemispheric asymmetries. Using multiple statistical methods, the results showed that: 1) the frontal lobe is wider on the right, while the occipital lobe is wider on the left; 2) there are no side to side differences in cerebral hemispheric length or height; and 3) there are no major sex differences. Especially notable is the lack of any correlation between side to side differences in length, width, or height and increasing age, which was also the case for cerebral hemispheric area or volume with increasing age. Regarding petalias: 1) the right frontal petalia occurs in 61%, the left occipital in 60%, and both petalias in 36% of the cohort; 2) the right frontal and left occipital petalias are of similar lengths; 3) the distances of both petalias increase with advancing age but not when scaled to either cerebral hemispheric area or volume, indicating that petalias are equally prominent early in postnatal life compared to later development; and 4) there are no major sex differences in the frequency or magnitude of either petalia. These findings provide comprehensive new information regarding age and sex related cerebral hemispheric asymmetries during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C Vannucci
- Department of Anthropology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
| | - Linda A Heier
- Department of Radiology (Neuroradiology), Weill Cornell Medical College, NY, New York, USA
| | - Susan J Vannucci
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, NY, New York, USA
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16
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Xiang L, Crow T, Roberts N. Automatic analysis of cross-sectional cerebral asymmetry on 3D in vivo MRI scans of human and chimpanzee. J Neurosci Res 2019; 97:673-682. [PMID: 30809847 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
One prominent feature of human brain asymmetry is the cerebral torque. To investigate whether this characteristic is shared with chimpanzees who are our closest extant relative, we developed an automatic method to compute cerebral hemisphere width and perimeter length on consecutive 2D sections through 3D MR images obtained in vivo for 91 human and 78 chimpanzee brains. In brief, contiguous inter-hemispheric width and perimeter asymmetries were calculated on coronal sections, which in profile allow us to examine asymmetry in relation to speciation. The right frontal and left occipital asymmetry (greater posteriorly in females) distinguishes humans from chimpanzees. This result is consistent with a major saltational (discontinuity) event occurring at some point after the separation of humanity and the great apes in the last 6 million years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xiang
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Crow
- University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Roberts
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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17
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Cerebral torque is human specific and unrelated to brain size. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:1141-1150. [PMID: 30635713 PMCID: PMC6499874 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-01818-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The term "cerebral torque" refers to opposing right-left asymmetries of frontal and parieto-occipital regions. These are assumed to derive from a lateralized gradient of embryological development of the human brain. To establish the timing of its evolution, we computed and compared the torque, in terms of three principal features, namely petalia, shift, and bending of the inter-hemispheric fissure as well as the inter-hemispheric asymmetry of brain length, height and width for in vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans of 91 human and 78 chimpanzee brains. We found that the cerebral torque is specific to the human brain and that its magnitude is independent of brain size and that it comprises features that are inter-related. These findings are consistent with the concept that a "punctuational" genetic change of relatively large effect introduced lateralization in the hominid lineage. The existence of the cerebral torque remains an unsolved mystery and the present study provides further support for this most prominent structural brain asymmetry being specific to the human brain. Establishing the genetic origins of the torque may, therefore, have relevance for a better understanding on human evolution, the organisation of the human brain, and, perhaps, also aspects of the neural basis of language.
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18
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Hou L, Xiang L, Crow TJ, Leroy F, Rivière D, Mangin JF, Roberts N. Measurement of Sylvian Fissure asymmetry and occipital bending in humans and Pan troglodytes. Neuroimage 2018; 184:855-870. [PMID: 30170149 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.08.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of human-specific lateralised functions such as language has been linked to the development of structural asymmetries in the brain. Here we applied state of the art image analysis techniques to measure Sylvian Fissure (SF) asymmetry and Occipital Bending (OB) in 3D Magnetic Resonance (MR) images of the brain obtained in-vivo for 30 humans and 30 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). SF morphology differed between species, with the human SF terminating more superiorly in right inferior parietal lobe, an asymmetry that was on average absent in chimpanzees (F (1,52) = 5.963, p = 0.018). Irrespective of morphology, Total SF Length was, as previously reported, leftward in humans but not in chimpanzees, although the difference did not reach significance between species. However, when only brains possessing comparable bilateral SF bifurcation morphology were compared, humans showed previously reported "Typical" left-lateralised Anterior-Horizontal (AH-SF) and right-lateralised Vertical (V-SF) SF asymmetries. In contrast, chimpanzees lacked both asymmetries, and this approached being a significant difference between-species in the AH-SF segment (F (1, 34) = 3.680, p = 0.064). On average in humans the left occipital lobe crossed the midline toward the right (Rightward OB) which was significantly different from the chimpanzee cohort that showed no average OB (Independent-Samples Mann-Whitney U Test, p = 0.012). Furthermore, OB was related to SF asymmetry in humans, such that the more rightward V-SF and leftward AH-SF, the more rightward the OB. This "Default" pattern of SF and OB asymmetries was found in 41.7% of human individuals with bilateral SF bifurcation but none of the chimpanzees. To our knowledge, this is the first study highlighting that a pattern of SF and OB asymmetry distinguishes the human from the chimpanzee brain, and suggests this may be associated with a unique trajectory of brain development and functional abilities in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis Hou
- Edinburgh Imaging, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom.
| | - Li Xiang
- Edinburgh Imaging, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom.
| | - Timothy J Crow
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
| | - François Leroy
- Neurospin, Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, INSERM, CEA, Paris-Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Denis Rivière
- Neurospin, CEA, Paris-Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | | | - Neil Roberts
- Edinburgh Imaging, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom.
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Tracing the structural origins of atypical language representation: consequences of prenatal mirror-imaged brain asymmetries in a dizygotic twin couple. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 223:3757-3767. [PMID: 30062562 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1717-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the predictive value of prenatal superior temporal sulcus (STS) depth asymmetry in a special case of a female dizygotic twin that showed inverted prenatal asymmetry of this structure. For this purpose, we performed a follow-up investigation in this former fetus at the age of seven, where we assessed the functional language lateralization using task-based and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). As control group we employed her twin brother, who showed a typical folding pattern prenatally, as well as a complementary set of four age-matched children that had fetal MRI of their brains and typical STS depth asymmetry. We could show that the twin with the atypical fetal asymmetry of the STS also showed significantly differing rightward language lateralization in the frontal and temporal lobes. Additionally, resting-state data suggest a stronger connectivity between inferior frontal gyri in this case. The twin showed normal cognitive development. This result gives a first glimpse into the STS' atypical asymmetry being a very early morphological marker for later language lateralization.
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Primate modularity and evolution: first anatomical network analysis of primate head and neck musculoskeletal system. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2341. [PMID: 29402975 PMCID: PMC5799162 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20063-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Network theory is increasingly being used to study morphological modularity and integration. Anatomical network analysis (AnNA) is a framework for quantitatively characterizing the topological organization of anatomical structures and providing an operational way to compare structural integration and modularity. Here we apply AnNA for the first time to study the macroevolution of the musculoskeletal system of the head and neck in primates and their closest living relatives, paying special attention to the evolution of structures associated with facial and vocal communication. We show that well-defined left and right facial modules are plesiomorphic for primates, while anthropoids consistently have asymmetrical facial modules that include structures of both sides, a change likely related to the ability to display more complex, asymmetrical facial expressions. However, no clear trends in network organization were found regarding the evolution of structures related to speech. Remarkably, the increase in the number of head and neck muscles – and thus of musculoskeletal structures – in human evolution led to a decrease in network density and complexity in humans.
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Uomini NT, Ruck L. Manual laterality and cognition through evolution: An archeological perspective. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2018; 238:295-323. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Bruner E, Fedato A, Silva-Gago M, Alonso-Alcalde R, Terradillos-Bernal M, Fernández-Durantes MÁ, Martín-Guerra E. Cognitive archeology, body cognition, and hand–tool interaction. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2018; 238:325-345. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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