Microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex

Abstract The human cerebral cortex shows hemispheric asymmetry, yet the microstructural basis of this asymmetry remains incompletely understood. Here, we probe layer-specific microstructural asymmetry using one post-mortem male brain. Overall, anterior and posterior regions show leftward and rightwa...

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Main Authors: Bin Wan, Amin Saberi, Casey Paquola, H. Lina Schaare, Meike D. Hettwer, Jessica Royer, Alexandra John, Lena Dorfschmidt, Şeyma Bayrak, Richard A. I. Bethlehem, Simon B. Eickhoff, Boris C. Bernhardt, Sofie L. Valk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54243-9
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author Bin Wan
Amin Saberi
Casey Paquola
H. Lina Schaare
Meike D. Hettwer
Jessica Royer
Alexandra John
Lena Dorfschmidt
Şeyma Bayrak
Richard A. I. Bethlehem
Simon B. Eickhoff
Boris C. Bernhardt
Sofie L. Valk
author_facet Bin Wan
Amin Saberi
Casey Paquola
H. Lina Schaare
Meike D. Hettwer
Jessica Royer
Alexandra John
Lena Dorfschmidt
Şeyma Bayrak
Richard A. I. Bethlehem
Simon B. Eickhoff
Boris C. Bernhardt
Sofie L. Valk
author_sort Bin Wan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The human cerebral cortex shows hemispheric asymmetry, yet the microstructural basis of this asymmetry remains incompletely understood. Here, we probe layer-specific microstructural asymmetry using one post-mortem male brain. Overall, anterior and posterior regions show leftward and rightward asymmetry respectively, but this pattern varies across cortical layers. A similar anterior-posterior pattern is observed using in vivo Human Connectome Project (N = 1101) T1w/T2w microstructural data, with average cortical asymmetry showing the strongest similarity with post-mortem-based asymmetry of layer III. Moreover, microstructural asymmetry is found to be heritable, varies as a function of age and sex, and corresponds to intrinsic functional asymmetry. We also observe a differential association of language and markers of mental health with microstructural asymmetry patterns at the individual level, illustrating a functional divergence between inferior-superior and anterior-posterior microstructural axes, possibly anchored in development. Last, we could show concordant evidence with alternative in vivo microstructural measures: magnetization transfer (N = 286) and quantitative T1 (N = 50). Together, our study highlights microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex and its functional and behavioral relevance.
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spelling doaj-art-e06149ddaf824232bd40b434b10e857d2025-08-20T02:33:05ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-11-0115111310.1038/s41467-024-54243-9Microstructural asymmetry in the human cortexBin Wan0Amin Saberi1Casey Paquola2H. Lina Schaare3Meike D. Hettwer4Jessica Royer5Alexandra John6Lena Dorfschmidt7Şeyma Bayrak8Richard A. I. Bethlehem9Simon B. Eickhoff10Boris C. Bernhardt11Sofie L. Valk12Otto Hahn Research Group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesOtto Hahn Research Group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesInstitute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behavior), Research Center JülichOtto Hahn Research Group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesOtto Hahn Research Group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesMcConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill UniversityOtto Hahn Research Group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaOtto Hahn Research Group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesDepartment of Psychology, University of CambridgeInstitute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behavior), Research Center JülichMcConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill UniversityOtto Hahn Research Group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesAbstract The human cerebral cortex shows hemispheric asymmetry, yet the microstructural basis of this asymmetry remains incompletely understood. Here, we probe layer-specific microstructural asymmetry using one post-mortem male brain. Overall, anterior and posterior regions show leftward and rightward asymmetry respectively, but this pattern varies across cortical layers. A similar anterior-posterior pattern is observed using in vivo Human Connectome Project (N = 1101) T1w/T2w microstructural data, with average cortical asymmetry showing the strongest similarity with post-mortem-based asymmetry of layer III. Moreover, microstructural asymmetry is found to be heritable, varies as a function of age and sex, and corresponds to intrinsic functional asymmetry. We also observe a differential association of language and markers of mental health with microstructural asymmetry patterns at the individual level, illustrating a functional divergence between inferior-superior and anterior-posterior microstructural axes, possibly anchored in development. Last, we could show concordant evidence with alternative in vivo microstructural measures: magnetization transfer (N = 286) and quantitative T1 (N = 50). Together, our study highlights microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex and its functional and behavioral relevance.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54243-9
spellingShingle Bin Wan
Amin Saberi
Casey Paquola
H. Lina Schaare
Meike D. Hettwer
Jessica Royer
Alexandra John
Lena Dorfschmidt
Şeyma Bayrak
Richard A. I. Bethlehem
Simon B. Eickhoff
Boris C. Bernhardt
Sofie L. Valk
Microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex
Nature Communications
title Microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex
title_full Microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex
title_fullStr Microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex
title_full_unstemmed Microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex
title_short Microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex
title_sort microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54243-9
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