Publication Date
2015
Journal Title
Hum Brain Mapp
Abstract
The corpus callosum (CC) is the largest interhemispheric white matter tract in the human brain, and is characterized by pronounced differences in morphology among individuals. There are limited data, however, regarding typical development, sex differences, and the neuropsychological correlates of individual differences within CC subregions. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging exams were collected in a large cohort (N=305) of healthy individuals (ages 8-68). We used a highly reliable program to automatically identify the midsagittal plane and obtain CC subregion measures according to approaches described by Witelson [1989]: Brain 112:799-835 and Hampel et al. [1998]: Arch Neurol 55:193-198 and a measure of whole CC shape (i.e., circularity). CC measurement parameters, including area, perimeter, length, circularity, and CC subregion area values were generally characterized by inverted U-shaped curves across the observed age range. Peak values for CC subregions were observed between ages 32 and 45, and descriptive linear correlations were consistent with sharper area changes in development. We also observed differing age-associated changes across the lifespan between males and females in the CC subregion corresponding to the genu (Witelson's subregion 2), as well as CC circularity. Mediation analysis using path modeling indicated that genu area mediated the relationship between age and processing speed for females, and the relationship between age and visual learning and executive functioning for males. Taken together, our findings implicate sex differences in CC morphology across the lifespan that are localized to the genu, which appear to mediate neuropsychological functions. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2691-2702, 2015. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Volume Number
36
Issue Number
7
Pages
2691-2702
Document Type
Article
EPub Date
2015/04/03
Status
Faculty, Northwell Researcher, Northwell Resident
Facility
School of Medicine; Northwell Health
Primary Department
Psychiatry
Additional Departments
Molecular Medicine
PMID
DOI
10.1002/hbm.22800